The KPMG Women’s Irish Open was Lottie Woad’s first professional win – as an amateur. She then went on to win her professional debut at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open the following week. After becoming the first college player to earn LPGA Tour membership with the LEAP Program, Woad has made good on her status, winning the Kroger Queen City Championship this season, and is currently competing at the FM Championship. Therefore, she isn’t able to return to Ireland to defend her title.
However, we’re sure she wishes she could! This year, the KPMG Women’s Irish Open is being contested at The K Club, a prestigious course with a deep history of championship golf. While the women will be playing on the Palmer South Course (versus the Palmer North Course that hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup), they’re still excited about competing at such an iconic venue.
Sixteen Irish players will be competing with the goal of taking home their national open trophy. With the defending champion playing on another tour and only one returning past champion – Smilla Tarning Soenderby (2023) – in the field, it’s anyone’s week.
Who to Watch at the 2026 KPMG Women’s Irish Open
While the best part of golf is that anyone can win any week, we have our eyes on a few players. Leona Maguire, who the LET coins as the “home favourite,” is looking to be the first Irish winner of the open.
“It would fantastic [to have an Irish winner],” Maguire said. “What you ideally want is a home winner of your national open.
“It’s really nice to see so many Irish girls on the LET right now. It’s become really strong. The guys had that for a number of years on the DP World Tour and now it seems the girls have passed them. They’ve dropped in numbers and we’ve significantly gained. It’s a testament to how strong women’s golf is in Ireland right now.”
Maguire does have some experience at The K Club, though it’s not what you may expect. She and her twin sister Lisa carried the Ryder Cup trophy to the ceremony 2o years ago.
“I have great memories of coming here with my sister and dad for European opens back in the day watching the guys. Then the Ryder Cup in 2006, bringing up the trophy to the closing ceremony. It’s a little bit of a full-circle moment to be back here playing at an Irish Open.”
Though not Irish, another player to keep an eye on is Shannon Tan, the 2025 LET Order of Merit winner. Lately, she has placed 3rd at the PIF London Championship and T6 at the AIG Women’s Open. The 22-year-old is still looking for her first win this season. Coincidentally, she’ll be paired with Maguire the first two rounds.
Joining that grouping is amateur Olivia Costello, the 18-year-old champion of the Irish Girls’ Amateur. She is one of 7 amateurs in the field and dreams of turning professional.
She gives hope to the Irish golfers, like LET rookie Lauren Walsh. She said, “There are some amateurs in the field so hopefully they are inspired to follow suit and [we] have another group coming behind us. It’s a credit to the tournament that there are so many playing and it shows women’s golf in Ireland is going from strength to strength. Long may that continue.”
