Green Takes Commanding Lead at Australian WPGA Championship Amidst High-Pressure Bid for Historic Double
West Australian golf star Hannah Green is feeling the heat as she navigates a strong run of form, holding a two-stroke lead heading into the weekend of the Australian WPGA Championship. The world No. 7 posted an eventful four-under-par 67 on Friday at Gold Coast’s Sanctuary Cove, propelling her to a solo lead at 10-under par. This commanding position comes hot on the heels of her breakthrough victory at the Australian Open in Adelaide last Sunday and her seventh LPGA title at the Singapore Women’s World Championship.
A win at the $600,000 event would etch Green’s name into the history books, securing a unique Australian golfing double. The Karrie Webb Cup, awarded for this prestigious achievement, has only been contested once before. However, Green acknowledges the internal pressure that comes with such a successful streak.
“I’m probably putting more pressure on myself as I am obviously on such a hot run,” Green admitted. “Perhaps if I didn’t win the last two events, I would maybe fly under the radar a little bit more.”
Despite her current advantage, Green is not underestimating the talent in the field. “We still have a really strong Ladies European Tour (LET) field, so it’s not like I have it easy this weekend,” she stated. “There’s going to be a lot of good players… chasing me and probably have less pressure on themselves.”
Green’s second round at Sanctuary Cove was a stark contrast to her bogey-free opening day. Friday’s play was a dramatic affair, featuring a mix of six birdies and an eagle, offset by a double bogey and another dropped shot. She surged ahead with three birdies in four holes, initially taking the clubhouse lead from England’s Meghan MacLaren. However, a mishap on the par-three sixth saw her find the water, resulting in a five.
Undeterred, Green showcased her resilience by sinking an impressive eagle putt on the par-five seventh, after placing her second shot within eight feet of the pin. Another long-range birdie on the 13th further extended her lead. While Germany’s Alexandra Forsterling mounted a challenge, holing a remarkable birdie putt on the 18th for a five-under 66 to finish three strokes back, Green maintained her composure.
“It was definitely a roller-coaster… hopefully I can go back to playing a bit more boring golf,” Green quipped, though she quickly added that she would continue to play “aggressively as possible.”
Contenders Eyeing Green’s Lead
England’s Meghan MacLaren remains in second place after a 68, sitting at eight-under par. Close behind her are Harang Lee, Alessandra Fanali, Vanessa Knecht, and Casandra Alexander, all tied at six-under, a shot adrift of Forsterling.
MacLaren expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to challenge a major champion like Green, who has notably skipped a lucrative LPGA event to compete on home soil. “Whenever you bring that (a major winner) to an LET event, I think it just elevates the whole thing,” MacLaren commented. “It’s really nice to see them support their own country and their own tour… It’s inspiring for everybody on the LET to go, ‘That’s the level and can we compete?’.” She also acknowledged the pressure on Green, adding, “There’s probably a fair bit of pressure on them to come and perform here, so I think they deserve a load of credit for being here.”
Australian Hopes:
- Hannah Reeves: The Australian golfer followed up her impressive first-round 67 with a 70, placing her at five-under par heading into the weekend.
- Sarah Kemp: Another Australian competitor, Kemp, is a shot behind Reeves, sitting at four-under par.
Meanwhile, LPGA talent Steph Kyriacou’s challenging run continues. She missed the two-over cut line by a significant five shots, a disappointing outcome following a similar missed cut at the Australian Open in Adelaide.
