Augusta, GA
This World No. 1 has the chance to become the first to go back-to-back at Augusta National
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Lottie Woad doesn’t like condiments. Give her a sandwich, preferably ham and cheese, with nothing on it. No sauce for her steak. She loves spaghetti but likes her pizza white.
“I can’t convince her that the sauce in spaghetti is the same that’s on a pizza,” said Florida State coach Amy Bond, who calls her star player “particular.”
“She knows what she wants,” said Bond, “and she’s not afraid to tell you.”
That particular approach applies to the way the No. 1 player in the world goes about her business on the golf course. Bond calls her the hardest worker she’s ever coached. She’s used the same ball marker since the age of 12.
She’s funny, in a dry sort of way, and while she’s more comfortable speaking to the media than she was a year ago, it’s still not her favorite thing. The reserved Woad is interested in one thing: being the best. And, as Bond has said, she’s got the stomach for it.
“She’s not afraid to take chances on the golf course,” said Bond, “she’s aggressive, and she’s not afraid of failure.”
Defending champion Lottie Woad tied for lead after 36 holes
That much was on full display at last year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur, where Woad stormed to the title with birdies on three of the last four holes.
Now she’s in position to do it again, holding a share of the lead with Kiara Romero heading into Saturday’s final round at Augusta National. Given how short the window is to win this event, back-to-back ANWA victories should prove to be an exceptionally rare kind of feat.
“I think I can definitely use last year,” said Load. “I had the lead and then lost it. Tomorrow if that happens again, then I’d know that I’ve come back from there before.”
The Woad highlight reel includes victories at Carnoustie, Augusta National, Baltusrol and a top 10 at the AIG Women’s British Open at St. Andrews. She returns to Augusta National a better player in a number of ways, said Luke Bone, her swing coach since age 7. She’s faster and stronger, hitting it 10 yards farther off the tee with a 260-plus carry. Her wedge game, Bone gushed, is now world class.
Then there’s the experiences she’s had, playing in four LPGA majors. While the hole-out on the 18th at the Old Course is the highlight everyone remembers, Bone, who was on the bag, said the opening 72 in outrageous wind – starting on the back nine – was the most impressive part of British Open week. Bone said she gained four strokes on the field with that round.
Back on the bag this week is England national coach Steve Robinson, who was instrumental in helping Woad plot and prep for last year’s final round. He also delivered a pep talk on the 13th hole that wasn’t fit for print.
Down two with five holes to play, Woad points to a par save on the 14th that kickstarted a finish for the ages.
After a Friday practice round around Augusta with Robinson, Woad reported that the greens are a little firmer this year. She’ll be careful about which pins she attacks. She’s got her notes from last year and likely more confidence about what’s to come than anyone else in the field.
Woad put down a ghost hole on the 18th green Friday to try to recreate the winning putt from last year. She missed it this time and had a good laugh. In keeping things similar to last year, she once again skipped playing the Par 3 Course but did skip on the par-3 16th.
Woad and her teammate, Mirabel Ting, pooled their tickets together so that everyone on the Florida State team could come watch the final round. With five freshmen on the roster, there’s plenty of room for inspiration.
It’s highly probable that this will be Woad’s final crack at Augusta. Though she’s only a junior, she currently leads the LPGA’s new LEAP (LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway) program with 16 points. A victory this week is worth two points, and she needs to get to 20 to secure her LPGA card. The McCormack Medal winner, given to the top-ranked amateur following the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in August, receives four LEAP points.
If Woad gets to 20 points before July 1, she can accept immediate membership for the current calendar year or defer until July 1 and play the rest of 2025, plus the 2026 season.
If she gets to 20 points after July 1, she can accept her card for the remainder of the current LPGA season as well as 2026. She could also defer entirely until 2026.
But first, there’s a bit of history on the line.
“She feels comfortable in these situations,” said Bone. “I think she’s been waiting for this event, in some form.”
Only one more sleep.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta’s Red Kettle Campaign is working to close a $100,000 gap before Christmas Eve.
With just 11 days left in the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army of Augusta is urging the community to rally together.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraiser of the year for The Salvation Army.
The campaign funds programs and services that support neighbors in need throughout the entire year.
Every penny donated through the Red Kettles stays in the Augusta area, ensuring local impact.
Proceeds from the campaign directly support the Center of Hope. In addition to providing a safe place to sleep, the Center of Hope operates a soup kitchen that serves approximately 200 meals every day.
In the past year, the Salvation Army has assisted more than 900 local residents through its rent and utility assistance program.
“The Red Kettle represents so much more than a simple donation—it represents hope for families right here in our community,” said Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Augusta.
“Every dollar dropped into the kettle helps provide shelter, meals, case management, and stability for our neighbors who need it most. With just days left in this campaign, we are asking the CSRA to show up in a big way.”
The Salvation Army of Augusta is encouraging community members to donate when they see a Red Kettle. For those who are cashless, donations can be made online at donateaugusta.org.
If you would like to volunteer for the Red Kettle Campaign, visit ringforhope.org.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Homeless Task Force held its last meeting of the year with leaders from the largest services for the homeless population in Augusta attending.
The room was full of people from organizations that serve the homeless community. As they finished their final meeting of 2025, leaders discussed some of the biggest issues they’re facing.
“Collaborate more, our people benefit when we do that,” said Nomi Stanton, chair of the task force and executive director of GAP Ministries.
The group focused on the upcoming PIT count, keeping the community safe in cold weather, and finding funding in 2026 to keep helping the people they serve.
“It’s what we do to take care of each other. And we want to make sure that all of our neighbors are recognized,” Stanton said.
Brittany Burnett, president and CEO of United Way, addressed funding challenges facing the community.
“We haven’t had the funds that our community deserves, and we’re trying to turn that around now,” Burnett said.
As the weather gets colder, services focus on getting information out about warming centers that help keep the homeless population safe in cold temperatures, including May Park, which is open overnight.
Services like those the United Way offers are important in the winter.
“Unfortunately, for some kids in our community, they go to school first to eat, second to learn. And so when you have a holiday break, then you take out two big components, eating and learning are both not available,” Burnett said.
As they look to continue helping people in the community who need them most, leaders emphasized the importance of working together.
“In this room, it allows us all to come together. That makes us stronger, but in like the best, most loving way,” Stanton said.
Leaders said that as the face of homelessness changes, they continue to expand their services and ways to help.
The homeless task force meetings are open to the community. Their next meeting will be in January.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are looking for a woman wanted in connection to a shooting incident in November.
Deputies say 37-year-old Evita Nicole Dozier is wanted for aggravated assault after a shooting on November 23 around 9:34 p.m.
The shooting incident happened on the 2700 block of Brenda Court.
Deputies say while on scene, they learned two woman were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical.
During the physical altercation, a gun was pulled out with one of the females, shooting the other at least one time, according to deputies.
Deputies say Dozier should be considered armed and dangerous.
She is known to frequent the 900 block of Wrightsboro Road and change her hairstyle and hair color, according to deputies.
Dozier has active arrest warrants on file for this incident, deputies say.
If you have any information, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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