The 20-year-old carded a closing one over 73 to finish at two under and claim the Sara Bay Classic on the US Symetra Tour by two strokes.

Green was the only player to finish under par for the tournament on the Donald Ross-designed Sara Bay Country Club. The Tour rookie defeated playing partner and 36-hole leader Benyapa Niphatsophon, of Thailand, and Filipino Princess Superal, who both finished tied second at even par.

“I was still getting myself settled so it is nice to have a win so early in the season,” Green said. “If I get two more wins I’m at my goal (LPGA) so it is always nice to get off to a good start. There are still a lot of events left so I have to keep an eye at what is going on.”

Green earns her first career victory and the $16,500 winner’s cheque that comes along with it to vault into the top-10 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list at No.3. She has now earned $21,096 in just four starts. She has finished inside the top five in two of those starts, with her previous best finish coming at the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club where she was tied fifth.

Green has taken a big step towards earning her LPGA Tour card for next season. PHOTO: Getty Images

The turning point of the round came at the 15th hole when Green drained a 20-foot par-saving putt, while Niphatsophon three-putted for double bogey, leaving the pair tied with three holes to play. The two players remained tied at one under leading into the final hole.

Green ultimately sealed the tournament by dropping a 12-foot birdie putt after Niphatsophon tapped in for bogey on the 54th hole. Green trailed Niphatsophon, the current leader in the Volvik Race to the Card standings, by two shots going into the final round.

Green turned professional before the LPGA Qualifying Tournament in 2016. She earned Symetra Tour status by finishing T8 at Stage Two to advance to the Final Stage – she just missed out on LPGA status after finishing T67 at the Final Stage.

 “I knew I was ready to turn professional end of last year,” Green said. “I just felt if I stayed an amateur I wouldn’t get worse but I wasn’t going to get better. I needed to put myself in better fields and I’m glad my game is raising. I’m really excited to continue on the Symetra Tour.”

In her young career, Green has clearly proven herself as a player to watch. Earlier this year, she finished T7 as a sponsor invite on the LPGA at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.