JUST two weeks after her success in Singapore, Hannah Green became the first home grown winner of the women’s Australian Open since 2014 with a one-shot win at Kooyonga Golf Club.
The West Australian returned a 2-under par 70 in the final round to win by one stroke from a fast-finishing Cassie Porter and Frenchwoman Agathe Laisne.
Green, who arrived in Adelaide on the back of her seventh LPGA Tour title at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore a fortnight earlier, would depart the South Australian capital with her name engraved on the Patricia Bridges Bowl alongside the likes of Jane Crafter, Jan Stephenson and five-time winner Karrie Webb.
“I feel really honoured to have my name on that trophy amongst so many other great players who have gone on to have really amazing careers,” the 29-year-old said Green.
“I have said before that winning your home championship is like winning a major and I definitely still feel that way. Being able to have my team around me, having my husband again caddie for me, it’s going to be a really special one to remember.”
The main challenge came from Porter, the Queenslander carding a course record-setting 10-under par 62 on Sunday, finishing an hour before Green to set the clubhouse target at 10-under.
Laisne, also a winner two weeks ago at the Ford Women’s NSW Open, battled bravely with Green throughout the final round before finishing tied for second.
Green came to the 72nd hole with a one-shot lead, found the fairway with her drive, safely hit the green with her approach in setting up two putts for the title and her third win on home soil.
“I think I would have perhaps been more nervous if I wasn’t in my position in Singapore because that’s where I really felt nervous,” added Green.
“But it was just different playing in front of home. I knew everyone wanted me to have the trophy in their hands at the end of the day. So that was a really nice feeling.”
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