Epic Ash Barty detail in Aussie Hannah Green's historic golf title
Australia's Hannah Green is lapping up the praise from around the sporting world after becoming the first woman in history to win a 72-hole mixed gender tournament on any of the world's leading golf tours.
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 five-under-par 66 and finish at 20 under at Cobram Barooga Golf Club on Sunday.
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The 25-year-old World No.30 started the final round in a four-way tie for the lead with Andrew Evans, Matthew Millar and Blake Collyer but separated herself when she chipped in for eagle on the par-5 10th hole to go three clear and never looked back.
The tournament was part of the innovative Webex Players Series which was introduced at the start of 2021 and has men and women 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.
Australian golfer Hannah Green has made history, becoming the first woman in the world to win a tournament competing against men.
The 25-year-old dominated the mixed-event at Cobram, and victory tasted especially good. @AliciaMuling9 #9News pic.twitter.com/WCJPx9BpXf— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) February 20, 2022
"It feels amazing," Green said about her incredible slice of golf history.
"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.
"I want to be in the top 10 in the world and I think I can achieve that."
Green's historic victory was celebrated across the sporting world, with Australia's World No.1 tennis superstar Ash Barty among those to comment on the Aussie's triumph.
Sporting world praises Hannah Green's historic feat
Women's Hall of Fame golfers Karrie Webb and Annika Sorenstam were also full of praise for Green, who admitted that it wasn't until well after the tournament finished, that she grasped the enormity of her achievement.
“I didn’t realise it was a global thing I was trying to achieve, I just thought it was for the Players Series. To hear that after I’d won was probably a good thing,” Green said on Monday.
“Karrie (Webb) sent me a few messages hoping I’ve celebrated and enjoyed what I did. Annika Sorenstam commented on my (Instagram) post. To have people like that who have such successful careers congratulating me is really cool.”
Green was hopeful that WA's long-awaited moves toward opening its borders will make life a bit easier in 2022 as she continues her international career, allowing her to return home at times.
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 pro Grace Kim (68) gave another glimpse of her bright future as she tied for fourth with young Kiwi pro Momoka Kobori (69)
Canberra veteran Millar battled home with a 72 to tie for sixth while young Victorian Collyer had a bigger struggle as he carded a 75 and tied for 13th.
The best previous finish by a woman in a Webex Players Series event had been Su Oh's tie for third at TPS Victoria last year.
with AAP
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