Young Australian golfer Hannah Green has claimed a US LPGA Tour card in style, shooting a course-record eight-under 64 to win the Symetra Tour event in El Dorado, Arkansas
The 20-year-old from Perth earned $US15,000 for her second victory of her rookie season to jump from sixth to fourth on the secondary tour money list with $US76,290. The top 10 after the final three events earn LPGA Tour cards for next season.
With father Tau serving as her caddie, Green finished at 14-under 205 at Mystic Creek to beat France's Celine Boutier by a stroke.
"My ball-striking was definitely there today," said Green, who also received a $US10,000 diamond bracelet..
"Going bogey-free on this course means everything tied together today.
"I didn't really know what to expect in the last six weeks.
"There are a lot of girls behind me performing well so I wanted to make sure I was staying on top of my game and didn't get knocked out (of the top 10)," said Green, who picked up her ninth top-10 finish of the year.
"To win this week is really great and it sets me up for next year (on the LPGA)."
Green's statistics told the story of her near-perfect day. She hit 17-of-18 fairways and 12-of-14 greens in regulation. She attempted 28 putts.
Boutier, also a two-time winner this season, closed with a 69. The former Duke player earned $US9,715 to move from second to first on the money list with $US107,876.
Green also won the Sara Bay Classic in April in Florida. Four years ago after graduating from high school in Perth, she devised a plan to reach the LPGA Tour.
"I set a plan and I wasn't going to college in the U.S. or studying in Australia, I just said that I was turning professional and I wanted to be on the LPGA," Green said. I've been dreaming about this for at least four years so to have it come true is awesome."
Green is a two-time recipient of the Karrie Webb Scholarship and the Australian legend was one of the first people to congratulate her on social media after the win.
"She has been such a big supporter, not only to my golf, but a lot of female golfers in Australia," said Green.
"I got to go to the U.S. Open with her and those are amazing experiences. I would have never been able to go to a major unless I was playing. She is just awesome and to have her as a close friend is really cool."
