Green Rewrites Australian Golf History with Dominant Major-Tour Hat-Trick
Hannah Green is returning to the United States with a newfound confidence in her ability to handle pressure on the biggest stages, following a remarkable period that has etched her name into Australian golfing folklore. The world No. 7 secured a commanding four-stroke victory at the Australian WPGA Championship on the Gold Coast, finishing at an impressive 16 under par. This triumph marks the culmination of an extraordinary run of success, adding to her recent breakthrough at the Australian Open and her seventh LPGA title at Singapore’s Women’s World Championship.
This unprecedented hat-trick of victories in major-tour, global events makes Green the first Australian golfer to achieve such a feat. Adding a personal touch to her success, her husband and fellow professional, Jarryd Felton, served as her caddie for all three wins. After choosing to remain in Australia and forgo two LPGA events, Green is set to depart for the US on Monday, aiming for a fourth consecutive win at the $US4 million Aramco Championship in Las Vegas, commencing on April 2nd. Following this, she will compete in the JM Eagle LA Championship in Los Angeles, a tournament she has previously won in both 2023 and 2024. The season’s first major, the Chevron Championship, is scheduled for April 23rd in Houston.
Green, who claimed her sole major title in 2019, openly admitted that her performances in major championships since then had fallen short of her expectations. She believes the varied nature of her recent triplet of wins has provided the perfect platform for future success.
“Today, I felt much more comfortable on the golf course; the wins in Singapore and Adelaide significantly helped settle my nerves,” Green shared. “That’s a valuable asset when you’re aiming to be in contention, hopefully, this year. I’ve demonstrated my ability to perform well on challenging courses, as well as those that demand a high number of birdies. For the majors, my focus will be on peaking at the right time, and I’ve deliberately limited the number of tournaments leading up to them to avoid burnout. I’m in a really positive headspace now, and I’m confident it will be a significant advantage.”
Despite holding a commanding six-stroke lead and seemingly cruising towards an effortless victory, Green experienced a brief wobble. Wayward drives off the tee allowed her competitors a glimmer of hope. However, her closest challenger, Germany’s Alexandra Forsterling, who finished at 12 under, could only narrow the gap to two strokes before the 29-year-old Australian regained her composure to seal a well-deserved win. South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, playing in the final group alongside Green, endured a tough start, dropping three shots in the opening two holes. Despite this setback, she rallied impressively to share second place with Forsterling.
The magnitude of Green’s achievement is underscored by the fact that even golfing legends like Greg Norman and Karrie Webb – Green’s dinner companion on Sunday night – did not manage to win three consecutive global-tour tournaments. While Robert Allenby’s 2005 Triple Crown victory, comprising the Australian Open, Australian PGA Championship, and Australian Masters in successive weeks, is etched in golfing history, those events were exclusively sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“I’m on an incredible high, but I’m acutely aware that golf can be a fickle game. It will undoubtedly be challenging when I’m not experiencing tournament wins,” Green reflected. “Patience will be key, that’s the next hurdle. I’ll be taking a week off to rest and reset, and bring myself back down to earth.”
The $600,000 Australian WPGA Championship, co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour, was being held for only the second time. It was cancelled in the previous year due to the threat of a cyclone. The tournament is set to return to the Sanctuary Cove layout next year, a prospect that delights Green, who became the first Australian in 12 years, since Karrie Webb, to win the national open just a week prior.
“It’s still sinking in, what I achieved last week, because I had to immediately shift my focus,” Green admitted. “Now, I can truly embrace and appreciate what I’ve accomplished over these past few weeks. Coming home and being in the spotlight has been a unique experience, and I’m sure it will generate further discussion back in the US. I’m ready to embrace that attention.”
Key Takeaways from Green’s Historic Run:
- Unprecedented Hat-Trick: Hannah Green is the first Australian golfer to win three consecutive major-tour, global events.
- Mental Fortitude: Her recent victories have significantly boosted her confidence in handling pressure during major contention.
- Strategic Preparation: Green has strategically managed her schedule to peak for major championships, avoiding over-exertion.
- Family Support: Her husband, Jarryd Felton, has been a constant and successful presence as her caddie throughout this winning streak.
- Future Aspirations: Green is now setting her sights on major championship success, armed with her current form and mental strength.
