Hannah Green shot a final-round 72 at Hazeltine National Golf Club to secure a one-stroke victory at the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Green finished her final day in Chaska, Minnesota with three birdies, three bogeys and 12 pars – none more important than a final-hole par on No. 18 to sign for a 9-under par, one clear of defending champion Sung Hyun Park, who shot a Sunday round of 68, highlighted by a final-hole birdie to put pressure on the young Aussie.
It was the first career win for the 22-year old from Perth, Australia who was playing in just her seventh LPGA major championship. For her maiden victory, Green earned $577,500 – bringing her season total to $694,003.
“I’m pretty much speechless,” said Green, who becomes the third wire-to-wire winner at the KPMG Women’s PGA (Yani Tseng 2011 and Se Ri Pak 1998).
“I was really nervous the last five holes and just really — I made a clutch putt and that was kind of got me through another one. To make the one on the last is really is surreal.”
Mel Reid (66) and Nelly Korda (71) were T3 on 6-under par, one shot ahead of Danielle Kang (68) and Lizette Salas (68), who tied for fifth at 5-under par.
Final Top-5 Leaders
Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Hannah Green -9 (E)
2. Sung Hyun Park -8 (-4)
3. Mel Reid -6 (-6)
3. Nelly Korda -6 (-1)
5. Danielle Kang -5 (-4)
5. Lizette Salas -5 (-4)
Green’s Winning Stats
Driving: 256.0 yards
Fairways: 32/56, 57.14%
Greens: 51/72, 70.83%
Putts: 28 (avg)
Scores: 15 Birdies, 51 Pars, 6 Bogeys
Video: Green’s Final Stretch
Quotable
“Really Happy”
“I actually didn’t feel too nervous the first few. I felt pretty good about how I was going to hit but definitely coming towards the back-9 — I think missing the putt on 8 and 9, that really hurt and probably wasn’t in the right head space for that and just making the putt on 16. Obviously I heard Sung made the last one, knew I needed to make par. Didn’t want to play that hole again. I’m really happy I made it.”
– Hannah Green
