Twelve years is a long wait, but on March 15 in Adelaide, Hannah Green made sure Australia did not have to wait any longer. 

The Perth player shot a 2-under 70 to win the Women’s Australian Open by one shot. While it was not as easy as it seemed, Green finished at 11-under par at Kooyonga Golf Club on Sunday.

It was just enough to stay ahead of a strong late push from France’s Agathe Laisné and Australia’s Cassie Porter. She is now the first Australian to win the national open since Karrie Webb in 2014, ending a 12-year wait on her home soil.

"I like to make it really nerve-racking for myself and everyone watching," Green said afterward. "I hope my next win is a little more chill."

It was far from easy for her. Porter shot a brilliant course-record 10-under 62 in the final round, making 10 birdies during an amazing 15-hole stretch to take the clubhouse lead and put pressure on Green. Laisné also kept fighting, staying close after a great save on the 15th hole.

Green’s birdie on the par-5 16th gave her a small lead. A bogey on the 17th briefly opened the door again, but a calm par on the 18th closed it for good.

"I knew that people could come from behind today," Green said. "Just really happy to have my name on the trophy amongst all the amazing other winners."

Her husband, Jarryd Felton, was on the bag, filling in for her regular caddie who was still in the United States. It turned out to be a good partnership, two wins together.

Back-to-Back Wins, Husband on the Bag Green's Unlikely Winning Formula

Adelaide didn’t come out of nowhere. Hannah Green arrived after winning the Women’s World Championship in Singapore, her second title at that event.

That meant she had won two tournaments in two straight weeks. “Winning your home championship is like winning a major,” Green said. 

“Having my husband caddie for me again makes it really special.”

With this win, Green joined Karrie Webb, Jane Crafter, and Jan Stephenson as Australians who have won their national open.

Cassie Porter almost stole the show with a record 62 ten birdies and a perfect round, but it still wasn’t enough. Green stayed calm and finished the job when it mattered most.

Can Hannah Green carry this form into the majors this year? Drop your prediction below.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Kalp Thaker