'I'm speechless, I was really nervous': Humble golf star, 22, chokes back tears as she becomes first Australian woman to win a major in 13 years
- Hannah Green won the LPGA Champion in only her second full year playing
- Green consistently held the lead throughout the competition to secure the win
- The 22-year-old shot a 72 for a nine-under total of 207 to win by one shot
A humble 22-year-old golf star has become the first Australian woman to win a major in 13 years.
Hannah Green, shot a 72 on Sunday in Minnesota, U.S, for a nine-under total of 207 to win by one shot from defending South Korean champion Sung Hyun Park (68).
It was Green's first victory on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and she becomes the first Australian woman since Karrie Webb in 2006 to win a major.
Green gave an emotional interview after she won the championship in only her second full year playing the LPGA Tour.
Hannah Green's victory in the LPGA Tour makes her the first Australian woman since Karrie Webb in 2006 to win a major
'I'm pretty much speechless,' said Green.
Green held her nerve during the game and saved par from the bunker with a five-foot putt on the final hole after Park drained an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to bring added pressure.
'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.
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'To make the one on the last is really is surreal. Obviously I heard Sung made the last one, knew I needed to make par.
'Didn't want to play that hole again (playoff). I'm really happy I made it.'
She said it was a dream to win in front of friends, who travelled to watch her play in the U.S.
'It's awesome. I've always wanted to win in front of an Aussie crowd.
Green gave an emotional interview after she won the championship in only her second full year playing the LPGA Tour
'I felt even that's what it was like today. Anything to just be winning in Majors the first event.'
Green, is also the first player to hold a consistent lead throughout the competition since 2011.
Among those who celebrated with Green was Webb, who brought Green to the U.S. four years ago as part of her scholarship program.
Green built a handy lead in the final round before all but frittering it away with three bogeys in a four-hole stretch around the turn.
She steadied the ship after that and a 15-foot birdie at the 16th hole proved decisive.
American Nelly Korda (71) and England's Mel Reid (66) tied for third, three shots behind.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, who started the day one shot behind Green, had a nightmare 77 to plunge into a tie for 10th on three-under.
Australia's Minjee Lee shot a final round one-under 71 to tie for 30th while compatriot Su Oh finished finished six over for tied 53rd.
Green held her nerve during the game and saved par from the bunker with a five-foot putt on the final hole
