– Hannah Green (-14) achieved her seventh career victory on the LPGA Tour this Sunday after winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. The Australian golfer defeated Minjee Lee (-11) in the compatriot duel with a final round of 69 strokes, hitting beautifully crafted shots and sinking some crucial putts when the situation was most tense.
– Green’s golf up to the 13th hole was impeccable. She hit spectacular shots, like on the 2nd hole or, especially, on the 8th, unleashing a second wood to leave herself practically set up for an eagle. She added two more birdies on the 11th and 13th holes, again with very good shots to the green, and went to -16.
– It then seemed that the victory was hers, as she was four strokes ahead with five to play, but we all know how unpredictable golf can be. On the 14th, there was a two-shot swing with Minjee Lee. A bogey for one and a birdie for the other, and once again, a tight situation with four holes to go.
– Really, the excitement was short-lived. Exactly the time it took Hannah to sink an extraordinary birdie putt from the fringe on the 15th hole, from about seven metres, while Minjee made a bogey missing a par putt from just over a metre. Now, the deal was sealed.
– Auston Kim (-13) made a last attempt with a magnificent final round of 67 strokes, but she was already too far back to trouble Green. In fact, the Australian played conservative golf on her last two holes, and with Minjee not putting pressure on her, quite the opposite, with a bogey and a ball in the water on the 16th, she finished with two bogeys on the 17th and 18th and took the victory. Kim secured a great second place and proved she is ready for big occasions. This week she only missed the Saturday round. She is close. She has seen it and has the talent. She delivered the best final card with 67 strokes.
– Julia López (-6) had another very eventful round of golf, with four birdies and five bogeys. Really, it was two very different stories. She started very well, with three birdies and a bogey on her first nine to get into the fight for a top 5, but a lacklustre finish, with four bogeys on the back nine, caused her to lose ground. At least, her round of 73 strokes was enough to finish in the top 10.
– It is a very good result in what is known as the Major of Asia, with the presence of nine of the world’s top ten players. Only Nelly Korda was absent, as she finds it difficult to leave the United States. It is Julia’s second top 10 on the LPGA Tour, following the third place she achieved last year at the Scottish Open. The start of the season has been notable with her performances in Thailand and Singapore.
– Mimi Rhodes (-6) also finished among the top ten in her first LPGA Tour tournament as a full member.
– Carlota Ciganda (PAR) signed off with another under-par card (71 strokes). She achieved the first of her goals after a poor start to the week, leaving Singapore at least with better feelings. Now it’s time for a break for the Navarrese and Julia, as neither is signed up to play the Blue Bay in China next week. The Madrid native Carolina López Chacarra is.
