Hannah Green scored a dominant four-shot victory in the $200,000 TPS Murray River, becoming the first woman to win a 72-hole mixed-gender tournament on any of the world’s leading golf tours.
Key points:
- Green posted a 5-under-par 66 in the final round to finish at 20-under for the tournament
- An eagle on the par-five 10th hole helped set up Green’s win
- The tournament had women and men competing in the same field
Major championship winner Green showed she was ready for another big year on the LPGA Tour as she overcame gusty conditions and a clutch of male rivals to shoot a closing a 5-under-par 66 and finish at 20-under at Cobram Barooga Golf Club on Sunday.
The 25-year-old — ranked 30 in the world — started the final round in a four-way tie for the lead with Andrew Evans, Matthew Millar and Blake Collyer.
But Green separated herself from the others when she chipped in for eagle on the par-five 10th hole to go three shots clear and never looked back.
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“It feels amazing,” Green said.
“I wasn’t going to play here [after winning last week’s Vic Open]. I was going to go home to Perth but I think things happen for a reason.
“Hopefully I can continue this momentum for the rest of my season.
Young Western Australia amateur Hayden Hopewell came from well back with eight birdies in a round of 65 to tie for second with New South Welshman Evans (70).
Rookie professional Grace Kim (68) gave another glimpse of her bright future as she tied for fourth with young New Zealander Momoka Kobori (69).
The tournament was part of PGA Australia’s innovative Players Series, which was introduced at the start of 2021.
The tournaments have women and men competing in the same field — from adjusted tees — for the same prize purse and one trophy as part of the PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour schedules.
The best previous finish by a woman had been Su Oh’s tie for third at TPS Victoria last year.
AAP/ABC
