An emotional Hannah Green celebrated her first LPGA Tour win in four years after surviving a three-way play-off to win in California on Monday morning (AEST).
Green, 26, pocketed the $680,000 first prize after beating China’s Lin Xiyu on the second play-off hole of the JM Eagle LA Championship. India’s Aditi Ashok was eliminated on the first hole of the play-off.
Green, who is from Perth, hadn’t won on golf’s elite women’s circuit since the Portland Classic in 2019, and missed the cut at the first major of the year, the Chevron Championship, last week.
“It’s been a long few years,” a teary Green said. “I played really well last year, but getting across the line has been difficult.
“I’m really proud of myself because I didn’t think I’d be in it with how I was playing and making so many pars. I’m obviously really happy, but the other emotions are coming out right now.”
Green (nine under) fired a final round two-under 69, but needed to sink a long birdie putt on the final hole in regulation just to make the play-off.
Hannah Green scored her first LPGA Tour win since 2019.Credit: Getty
The world No.27 faded on the final day when in contention at last year’s Australian Open, and has struggled to land a win since the pandemic started.
“I knew you didn’t need a low score today to win,” Green said. “It played a lot different to the last couple of days. I’m just really proud of holing that putt in regulation on 18 and obviously the putt on the last couple of holes.”
It caps a sensational fortnight for Australian golf, with Lucas Herbert winning on the DP World Tour in Japan and Mark Hensby snaring his maiden win on the PGA Champions Tour, adding to the success of LIV Golf’s first event in Adelaide.
More to come
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