Hannah Green – file photo – image Getty Images / LPGA
Hannah Green is just one shot from the lead at the CPKC Canadian Women’s Open in Calgary, her second round of 70 leaving her behind only Lauren Coughlin in her final event before heading for Paris and another tilt at an Olympic medal.
Green finished 4th in this event last year at this venue so clearly has a comfort zone over the Earl Gray Golf Club layout.
Green who has already won twice in 2024 and is currently 3rd in the Race to the Globe standings, opened with three early birdies to take the lead but eventually ended with a 2 under 70 including a bogey at her last hole which cost her a share of the 36 hole lead.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, a three-time winner of this event earlier in her career, is also well placed in a share of 4th and three from the lead.
“Yeah, it was another solid day on the greens,” said Green when describing her round to the media. “Managed to hit two more fairways today so that was nice; gave myself some good opportunities for birdies.
“But, it was tough again out there. There was some pretty strong wind gusts, especially our last few holes, so committing to the shot you were envisioning was kind of difficult.
“Yeah, I’m kind of glad that I’m finished for Friday and I can go relax now.”
Green is looking ahead to her involvement in the Olympics with great anticipation.
“Yeah, no, I mean, ever since I officially qualified at KPMG it’s been really nice to know what’s ahead in the schedule. I guess most of us are pretty much treating it as our sixth major championship this year.
“I am getting in on the Saturday. We have a Wednesday start for the women, so I’m not getting in super early because I didn’t want to over-prepare and feel mentally that I’m already a bit drained throughout the week.
“So, yeah, getting in Saturday. Going to watch the men over the weekend and then obviously get ready. But I have not been to the Golf National before. I didn’t go there before Evian to go and play the course. I’ve seen a little bit on TV. I probably will try and watch some replays and see as much stuff as I can online.
“Just don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. There are 60 women and we are all trying to get a podium finish I would say, not only just a gold medal. A Top 3 would be amazing for ourselves and countries.
“It’s just fortunately just another golf tournament. We still have the Scottish Open, British Open, so many great events coming up.”
Ko needs just one more win to join the LPGA’s Hall of Fame but is not allowing the anticipation get to her.
“I feel like it’s been a lot easier,” said Ko. “Some people have reached out and are like, oh, it’s going to happen. You’re so close. I was like oh, I’m not as stressed as I think people are thinking.
“I think, like I said after winning Hilton Grand Vacations, being one point away is so much easier than being two. I know when you’re two points away, oh, I still have to have two wins.
“I feel like if I keep moving in the right direction and doing the right things, that one point, whether it’s — however, there are so many different ways to get it done, will happen.
“I feel like if it’s honestly meant to be for me to be in the Hall of Fame and be a Hall of Famer, it’s probably going to happen.
“So I’m just trying to play the best golf I can. In the past couple months I haven’t played the best golf, so it’s not like I’m playing with a lot of expectation trying to win I guess because I haven’t been in contention as much.
“I do feel like my game has improved a lot in the past couple months. Obviously it’s a really good time for it to happen, at tournament that means a lot to me with the Olympics and British Open and all that coming up.
“I’m playing alongside the best female golfers week in, week out. We all know it’s not easy to win. Sometimes luck also needs to go your way. So I’m hoping for a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and kind of give myself good chances.”
