By Paul Bartelt
International Press Association
Sports Editor
Los Angeles, Ca. Australian Hannah Green, who won here a year ago, was tied for the lead at seven under par after three rounds Saturday at the JM Eagle LA Championship. On Sunday Green posted a final round 66 to successfully defend her title at Wilshire Country Club posting a Tournament best 12 under par. Green was three shots better than Sweeden’s Maja Stark who finished with a three under par 68 on Sunday and totaled 9 under par for the Tournament. Stark has now finished in second place on the LPGA Tour for two consecutive weeks.
Green had three birdies on the back 9 holes on Sunday, including an eagle three on the par-five 15th hole. After her drive bounced out of a fairway bunker, Green’s second shot landed on the putting surface and she holed a 30 foot putt for a three. Green shot 31 on the back nine holes in Sunday’s final round. Last year Green won at Wilshire finishing nine under par for 72 holes.
“It is really kind to me,” said Green of Wilshire Country Club. ” I felt a couple times today I got a members bounce. I love it here, such a great atmosphere, really good crowds this year.”
Ninteen of the Tour’s top 25 players in the world entered the JM Eagle LA Championship this week. The 27 year old Australian will have to wait two years to defend her title here as the golf course will be under extreme renovations next year and will return in 2026.
Green dominated play in the final round hitting 13 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens. It was Green’s fifth LPGA victory as she has now has over 5 million in career earnings. This was Green’s second win this season in six tournament starts.Green earned $ 562,500 for the win out of a 3.75 million purse.
Military and first responders received complementary admission courtesy of SERVPRO. The LPGA holds over 30 annually events across 10 countries awarding total prize funds exceeding 118 million and reaching television audiences in more than 220 countries. The JM Eagle LA Championship was broadcast live on television on the Golf Channel.