‘Scary’ US Open challenge for Aussie major champ

If it wasn’t for a stunning, other worldly six-victory run by world No.1 Nelly Korda in 2024, Australian star Hannah Green would be garnering a lot more picks as a potential winner at the US Open.

With two wins under her belt this year already, Green, now the world No.5 said she’s never been more confident heading into a major championship with the record prize money of $18m, and $3.6m for the winner, a great motivator to bring her best.

But having gone head-to-head with Korda in the final round at the last LPGA event, losing y a single-shot after an errant 18th hole drive, Green knows the threat of an on-song Korda could end with her “beating us by probably a lot” at the Lancaster Country Club.

Players at the Open have been peppered with questions about Korda, who has won six of her past seven events and according to Green, won a couple of them without even being at her best, which makes her a scary prospect with the biggest trophy in women’s golf up for grabs.

“Yeah, she’s making the game look very easy,” Green said.

“I played with her in Palos Verdes (in March) and I didn’t make the (cut) weekend that week, but I don’t really know she was in contention all that much,” Green said,.

“I think on the weekend she did a lot of work, but she didn’t even play that well. Like she didn’t make it look like she was a robot. She was hitting some shots that we all hit every once in a while, but she was just making up-and-downs and not making too big a numbers.

“So she made it look really easy but not also like she played really well, which is the scarier thing, is that when she’s on she’s going to be on and she’s going to be beating us by probably a lot.

“So trying to beat Nelly is almost what we are trying to aim for, because if you beat her you’re probably going to have the trophy in your hands.”

But the prospect of taking down Korda is not a daunting one for Green who is feeling the most comfortable on tour she has in recent seasons, on the back of getting married, and finding her best balance for on and off the course.

“I would think this is actually the most confident I’ve come into a major. It feels like I don’t have to work on too much coming into a major, which is nice,” she said.

“It’s kind of hard for me especially with my inconsistencies when it comes to winning a golf tournament, but I’m feeling really good, and I’m actually really excited this week.

“Yeah, I just feel really settled this year. I don’t know what it comes down to. A lot of people have said it’s the wedding, being married, not having to worry about having a wedding to plan and things like that. But it just feels different this year.

“I don’t know what it is. I wish I could have this type of feeling every week that I tee it up, but it just feels really relaxing out here at Lancaster.”

Green is one of six Australians in the event with Minjee Lee, Gabi Ruffels, Steph Kyriacou, Sarah Kemp and major debutante Keely Marx flying the flag.