Hannah in Seventh Heaven at Sentosa

Singapore: Australian Hannah Green delivered another winning performance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, firing a final round three-under-par 69 with help from her husband on the bag to claim a one-shot victory.

Green returned to the winner’s circle again with a winning total of 14-under 274. It was the 29-year-old’s seventh LPGA victory and second HSBC Women’s World Championship following her triumph at Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong Course in 2024.

With her latest win, the Perth native joins Koreans Ko Jin-young and Park In-bee as the third two-time winner of the HSBC Women’s World Championship and also her first LPGA Tour win, with her husband, Jarryd Felton, as her caddie.

A member of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s triumphant team in the inaugural Patsy Hankins Trophy in 2016, Green said: “It’s been a really good couple of weeks. My usual caddie is applying for a green card and couldn’t leave the US, so it wasn’t part of the plan for the season. Luckily, my husband was able to pick up the bag for me.

“It was absolutely a team effort over the last two weeks, and it’s very special to share my seventh win, which is also my favourite number with him.”

Chen Xingtong closed with a 71 to finish tied-60th, while fellow-Singaporean Shannon Tan signed off with a 75 to be place tied-64th.

“I didn’t manage to showcase my best game, but I’m still happy that I was able to improve from last year, where I finished last,” said 17-year-old Chen, who lost out to China’s Liu Yujie for the distinction of finishing as the low amateur. Liu signed off with a 69 to climb into a share of 34th place on one-under 287.

American Auston Kim, who led the first two rounds, closed with a 67 to finish second, while 11-time LPGA winner and three-time Major champion Minjee Lee, who started the final round tied for the lead with fellow-Australian Green, closed with a 72 to finish tied-third with France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard and Angel Yin of the United States.

Green entered the final round tied for the lead with Lee. She immediately seized control with an opening birdie before an eagle-three on eight soared her further ahead. 

After turning in 33, Green added further birdies on the 11th and 13th holes, before her momentum was halted by a bogey on 14. She responded by picking up another gain on 15. Although she dropped shots on 17 and 18, it was still enough to pip Kim to the title.

“I was feeling nervous and told Jarryd a couple of times that I wasn’t comfortable. He reminded me to take a deep breath, have a snack or even sip some water. I haven’t played with this kind of adrenaline in a long time, and we handled it really well,” said Green.

Kim, now in her third season on the LPGA, remains in search of her breakthrough win. However, she believes she will come back stronger with the lessons she received on the golf course this week.

She reflected: “There’s a lot to learn, both in golf and in life, and every day on the course is an opportunity to improve. Every second competing is something I’m grateful for, and this week I gained a lot. I’m proud of that.”

Lee also chose to focus on the positives for the season ahead. 

“This sets up a nice start to the year. I can take more positives than negatives from this week. My scrambling was strong, and the second round was excellent. I hope to build on this and make more birdies in the next tournament,” said Lee, who posted rounds of 72, 64, 69, and 72.