Hannah Green – in practice this week – image USGA
For the first time in her professional career, Perth’s Hannah Green will start a major championship as the highest-ranked Australasian female golfer, her two wins and runner-up finish this season elevating her to the 5th ranked golfer on the Rolex World Rankings ahead of this week’s Women’s US Open in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Although both Minjee Lee and Lydia Ko (who have been ranked ahead of her heading into previous majors) played this week’s venue when the US Open was staged here in 2015, Hannah Green did not, although she was, interestingly, present during that week.
“Yeah, so I won Karrie Webb’s scholarship in 05 for the first time,” said Green today at a pre-event media conference. “So myself and Julienne Soo, she’s an ex-professional golfer from Australia, we were both able to be inside the ropes with her this week.
“So this was my first ever LPGA event that I ever watched, and I don’t really think I watched that much just because it’s so hilly outside the ropes. But I did get to see Webby. She played really well the first round, so I got to see her doing all the media and things like that and didn’t really know what a professional golfer came along with.
“So that was really cool. Yeah, it’s nice to be back inside the ropes, and I can somewhat remember some of the holes, so it’s kind of nice.”
Green has moved from 29th in the Rolex Ranking to 5th in 2024 and currently stands in second place behind only Nelly Korda in the 2024 Race to the Globe and money standings.
She’s (Korda) making history this year. I’m kind of happy to be outside the limelight. I just wanted to make sure that my golf is performing and what happens after that I’ll take as it comes.
“It’s obviously been a really great season, and to have my name kind of behind Nelly I’m still very happy with.”
Green was asked what the difference had been this year for her performances to have improved so much.
“I actually feel like I haven’t been as aggressive as I have been the last few years. I’ve played a lot better in these last two years, but not as consistent as I would like. I think I’ve finally been able to put those rounds together.
“Sometimes when I mis-hit a shot it’s actually leaving it in the right area versus trying to go for that — not one in a million, but one of those shots that is quite risky.
“I feel like I’ve actually been hitting the ball better and just making everything work a little bit better. I wouldn’t say that my ball-striking or my putting has been significantly better. It’s just shaping it all together has been really nice this year.”
“I just feel really settled this year. I don’t know what it comes down to. A lot of people have said it’s the wedding, being married, not having to worry about having a wedding to plan and things like that.
“But it just feels different this year. I guess I didn’t play the first two events in Florida so I just gave myself a little bit of extra time in the off-season to stay away from golf.
“I gave myself four weeks to prepare for Asia, and I think that really motivated me more to actually practice harder and see the other girls winning tournaments.
“I’m kind of glad that I’ve been able to do that, and obviously had the opportunity to miss some events earlier in the year, as well.
“I think it’s definitely one of the reasons why I’ve been able to be so consistent throughout the start of the year, and we have so many great tournaments coming up, I hope I can continue this form.”
Green has been joined by her husband Jarryd Felton (an Australian golf professional) this week and for the next few weeks and she is enjoying the time being spent with the four-time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
I think because my husband plays golf, too, we’re very competitive no matter what we’re doing, so it’s kind of fun playing with him.
“He’s here this week and we were together last year playing a couple games against each other, so it’s just — I love playing golf, I guess, love competing and trying to be No. 1 in the world and the best player that I possibly can be.
“So we played Wolf last week, and let’s just say he owed me some money. I don’t know if he was being nice since it’s coming into U.S. Open, but I don’t know, we just like to play.
“Even if it’s a chipping, putting contest, whatever it may be. It’s always very competitive. We’ve already played table tennis a couple times this week. So anything and everything.”
This will be Green’s 6th US Open with a best of 13th last year so it will be interesting to see how her improved performances in 2024 translate into a good showing in this the female game’s most significant event.
Yeah, it’s been good. Obviously the result last event, close neck and neck with Nelly and also a couple wins this year. I feel like this is the best form I’ve come into a major.
Chevron I didn’t make the weekend, so I’m kind of wanting to make sure I perform well this week.
I’m really enjoying this golf course. It’s really testing all parts of your game.
