New Aussie No.1 as 10-year streak ends

Successfully defending her LPGA title in LA has delivered Aussie star Hannah Green more than the $800k winner’s cheque, leaping over great mate Minjee Lee on the world rankings and locking in her Olympic ticket.

It’s the first time in nearly a decade that Lee has been usurped as Australia’s highest-ranked player, having spent only 10 weeks outside the top 10 since 2017. She has been in the top 20 since 2015 and as high as world No.2.

After winning at the LA Championship for a second-straight year on Monday morning, her second LPGA victory for the year, Green declared her 2024 ambition was to break into the top 10 and get to Paris.

The West Aussie managed both with her three-shot victory, jumping 10 spots from 18 to a career-high eighth, making her Australia’ top-ranked female player and, with the qualification deadline looming, securing her second Olympic spot.

Lee also remains on track for a second Olympics, where she could play alongside her brother, Min Woo, despite dropping three spots from six to nine, having missed the cut in three of her past four events, including in LA.

The two highest-ranked women’s and men’s players as of June 17 will earn spots.

The next highest-ranked Australians are Grace Kim, who surrendered a four-shot lead in LA at 82, Gabriela Ruffels (83) and Steph Kyriacou (88).

“The Olympics have definitely been on my mind,” Green said after her win, her third inside 12 months.

“I feel like when my game is going good, it’s good. I’ve still got to tweak some things when I’m not playing so well but definitely gives me some confidence – not only just playing here at Wilshire, but the win in Singapore, just making sure I stay patient and being able to win tournaments in the back nine.”

Green became just the fifth Australian to win five times on the LPGA Tour.

“I didn’t know that stat,” she said.

“It’s a great honour to have my name up there along with them, and hopefully I keep pushing and try and get into double digits.”

Green shares a coach with Lee, Ritchie Smith, and having spent time together at last week’s Chevron Championship was adamant that despite her form slump, her fellow West Australian was “not far off”, with the duo set to go for gold in Paris.

“He actually said that he felt like both Minjee and I were in a good spot so really wasn’t too concerned,” she said.

“Obviously, Minjee didn’t have the result she was after this week, but feel like she’s not far off either.

“Hopefully, we both continue to play well throughout the year and have some more trophies like this next to us.”