Hannah Green’s winning run shows no signs of slowing down after the world No.7 posted a bogey-free 6-under 65 to assert early dominance at the Australian WPGA Championship at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club.
Morning showers served to wake up the West Australian, who fought through fatigue and a 4:45am alarm on Thursday morning to shoot the low round of the morning alongside Ladies European Tour rookie Charlotte Heath (65).
The pair was usurped late on day one by Scotland’s Kelsey MacDonald, who finished birdie-eagle to set a new course record of 7-under 64 and take a one-stroke lead into Round 2.
A regular on the LET since turning professional in 2013, MacDonald came to Australia late last year after losing her status in Europe, finishing tied 19th at WPGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School in December to earn a category for the four-event LET swing.
That decision could yield the ultimate result, yet the 35-year-old will need to hold off a raft of internationals and up-and-coming Aussies looking to make their mark.
“Taking advantage of great weather, good golf courses, bit of travel,” MacDonald said of exploring playing opportunities in Australia.
“And when I left Scotland, it was minus seven, so I can’t complain. Just a great opportunity to keep playing for me.
“I can’t win it on the first day, so just got to stick to the process and keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully hole some putts and we’ll see how tomorrow goes.”
Green and Heath are one stroke clear of a group of four players at 5-under; Green perfectly placed to extend her winning run to three in succession.
Last week’s Australian Open champion in Adelaide, Green hit 17 of 18 greens on Thursday morning and with her energy reserves slowly returning.
“I felt like I was somewhat yawning out there a few times, which was quite bad, but also not surprising of me,” Green conceded.
“I think the rain probably woke me up a little bit, caught us off guard, but it will be nice to have a nap this afternoon.
“Yesterday in the pro-am I made a lot of birdies, but I also made a couple of silly bogeys.
“I knew there was the potential if you’re hitting it well to be able to make a lot of birdies.
“I felt like I hit the ball well. I think I only missed one green and even then I was still able to putt from that.
“If I can continue to do that throughout the rest of the week, I should be in good form.”
Revealing post-round that her last start in Queensland was a victory at the Links Hope Island Pro-Am in 2017, Green had no issue adjusting to the grain in the greens that can often confound players.
“I have had some wins also in Florida, which is very similar to Queensland, so I think that is helpful. But if I hit 17 greens like I did today for the rest of the week, I’ll be pretty pleased that I won’t have to chip and putt,” she added.
“I definitely think it’s less grainy to what I thought. I’ve gone in with a mentality that it was going to be probably more difficult and it’s actually feeling a little bit easier so far.”
Another Hannah, Queensland rookie Hannah Reeves, is the next best Australian at 4-under par, while Victorian amateur star Jazy Roberts is looking increasingly comfortable in professional company with a 3-under 68.
South-east Queensland greens are nothing new to Brisbane-based Reeves, who has made a stunning transition into the professional ranks.
The 24-year-old won her first three WPGA Tour of Australasia events as a professional late last year and has made two of three cuts in the current four-event LET swing; her best a tie for eighth at the Women’s NSW Open.
Three years ago, Reeves played with Green and Gabi Ruffels in the final round of the Australian Open and is now tasked with trying to chase down the hottest player in women’s golf.
“That was a day where you can’t really put a price tag on that,” said Reeves.
“You learn so much just watching them and observing what they do. That was a huge day.
“She’s an incredible player, so definitely someone I look up to.”
After three weeks on the road, Reeves spent time with coach Grant Field early this week; the pair making an adjustment to her putting set-up which yielded instant results.
“This is obviously our fourth one in a row now. I really struggled over the weekend in Adelaide,” said Reeves, who estimated she had eight three-putts across the weekend at Kooyonga.
“The putter was a bit cold, but I spent a couple of days with my coach up here, so definitely feeling much better now and my game’s feeling nice.”
Gold Coast local Momo Sugiyama was poised to join the logjam at 5-under, but made an untimely double-bogey on her final hole after finding the water with her approach shot to shoot 68.
Entry to spectators is free all four days, with the final two rounds to be broadcast live on Nine and 9Now and Kayo Sports and Fox Sports (available on Foxtel from 11pm-4pm AEST Saturday and Sunday).
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