Hannah Green finishes runner-up in Los Angeles
Hannah Green this week – Michael Owens Getty / LPGA
She may have finished five shots behind the runaway winner, Nasa Hataoka, but the runner-up finish of Perth’s Hannah Green in this week’s DIO Implant LA Open was the 25-year old’s best LPGA Tour finish since finishing in the same position at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore twelve months ago.
Green had also finished 3rd in this same event and at the same venue a week earlier than the Singapore event in 2021.
Green began the final round four shots behind the eventual winner, Hataoka, and although she began her round with two early birdies, it was a case of whatever she could do, the Japanese star would match and better it.
By the turn she had fallen five behind and when Hataoka eagled the 15th the probable became inevitable and Hataoka would go on to win by five to secure her 6th LPGA Tour title.
Green secures a cheque for US$177,000.
“Yeah, definitely really happy with how things are trending,” said Green. “It was nice to be a bit more consistent. Last week I got off to a great start and then just couldn’t maintain it in Hawaii.
“So I feel like once I get the putter hot I’m pretty excited to see what’s to come.
“I guess I’ve had good results here at Wilshire before. I came tied third so I kind of knew that it was possible to have a good result here.
“Next week — every course is very different, but I just had good feelings. Just it was nice to see some putts go in today. Just made my confidence go up a little bit higher.
“Hopefully I can continue that into next week and the rest of the year.”
Minjee Lee matched Green’s final round of 68 and finished in a three way share of third with Madelene Sagstrom and Inbee Park.
“To be fair, I’m probably a little disappointed in my performance this week,” said Lee. “I made a lot of bogeys but I did make a lot of birdies, so I guess that’s the good thing.
“But, I mean, Top 5, I don’t think I can really be too disappointed, but hopefully better things to come next week.”
