Australian golfer Hannah Green captures the win at LPGA’s LA Championship

Australian golfer Hannah Green has captured a global victory at the LA Championship in California – her first LPGA win since September 2019. 

The 26-year-old gave a wild finish by putting a 25-foot birdie to join China’s Xiyu Lin and India’s Aditi Ashok in a three-woman sudden-death playoff. Green then made par on the second extra hole to win the tournament and receive $US450,000. 

Speaking to her success with the putt that got her to the playoff, Green notes that most of her earlier putts that day had been short.

“I knew I had to get it to the hole. I knew I needed to hit it a little bit harder than what I had all day,” she said.

“I don’t often get my caddie to read my putt, but I pulled him in for the last hole, and we both saw the same line, so it was nice to have that confidence that I was seeing the correct line, and yeah, just stroked it and it went perfectly in the hole.”

Getting emotional about her LPGA win after the event, Green told reporters, “It’s been a long few years.” 

“I was playing well last year but getting across the line’s been really difficult. I’m proud of myself. I’m really happy.”

This was Green’s first LPGA Tour event win since the Portland Classic in September 2019. She finished second at the tournament last year and third the year before. 

“I think honestly this one is really important because I feel like this is just going to kickstart remembering how to win,” said Green.

“It’s tough to win golf tournaments. Sometimes you can play your best golf and it not be good enough. You’ve just got to hang in there.”

Last year, in Australia, Green won the Vic Open and the Players Series Murray River in successive weeks. 

Now, this LPGA victory sees Green win on a global level as the tour is one of the most prestigious in women’s golf. 

Next up for Green is to represent Team Australia at the 2023 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown in San Francisco, California.