Hannah Green – file photo courtesy of LPGA / Getty
Perth’s Hannah Green has today won her 5th LPGA Tour title and her second of 2024 with a three-shot victory over Sweden’s Maja Stark at the JM Eagle LA Championship in Los Angeles.
Green, who was the defending champion after her playoff win in the event last year, shared the 54-hole lead with her fellow countrywoman Grace Kim but a birdie at her first hole of today gave her the lead which she retained throughout the final round.
A strong stretch of five under through five holes of her final nine allowed her to break clear of Stark and win with ease, adding a cheque for US$562,500 to her already substantial career earnings.
Green moves into third place on the 2024 LPGA Tour money list behind Nelly Korda who did not play this week and the woman she beat into second place Stark.
Green’s career earnings on the LPGA Tour are now close to US$6 million.
“It’s really kind to me,” Green said about the Wilshire Country Club in the inner suburbs of Los Angeles. “I felt like a couple times today almost got like a member bounce. I, obviously, really am fond of the golf club and joked that they didn’t approve it with me that they were making alterations. I love it here.”
“When I chipped in on 12 I kind of felt like I really snagged one there,” Green said. “I really like the 13th hole and also played the 15th really well. When I made eagle on 15 that kind of sealed the deal. I did see Maja got it to 9 under so I know what I needed to do. Usually, I make it really tricky on myself and only win by a shot.”
Green adds this event to her three other LPGA Tour events in addition to her breakthrough win in the KPMG LPGA Championship in 2019.
Sydney’s Grace Kim who led by four at the halfway mark and shared the lead through 54 holes struggled over the weekend to eventually finish in a share of 25th place.
