Hannah Green starts season well in Florida
Hannah Green file photo
The 2025 LPGA Tour began overnight with the staging of the US$2 million Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida with Lydia Ko, Hannah Green and Minjee Lee the Australasians in the 32-player field.
The event is played in a pro-am format with 50 amateurs teaming with 32 professionals, all golfers to play 72 holes with no cut for either the professionals or amateurs.
After day one, Korean A Lim Kim has established a four shots break over fellow countrywoman Jin Young Ko and Thailands Patty Tavatanakit.
The leading Australasian after the opening round if Hannah Green whose round of 70 has her in a share of 4th place and although five shots from the lead of Kim she is just one shot out of second place.
Minjee Lee is in a share of 17th place at even par 72 while Lydia Ko is another shot back 1 over.
Green is coming off a three-win season but while the Olympic Gold was not one of those she sees the Olympics as he most enjoyable event in 2024.
“I think the Olympics is probably the coolest experience from last year even though I didn’t win that. Yes, it was nice to have three tournament wins, but the crowds we played in front of were probably the best I’ve ever played in front of. That was also fun, wearing green and gold aND having my team around me.
“2024 was such a good year. I felt like I somewhat flew under the radar a little bit. I’m looking forward to coming to some events and defending and hopefully not putting too much pressure on myself. I’m still hungry to get more trophies in my cabinet.
“Today was nice. I hit a couple of shots out there that weren’t great but I feel like that’s what happens when you take six, seven weeks without playing a proper competition.
“Yeah, been really nice to get back into competitive golf. I felt like I had a really nice off-season so nice to be back in the sunny Florida.”
World number one Nelly Korda opened with a round of one under par 71.
