Hannah Green ends 12-year local winner drought at Australian Open
A 12-year title drought for local athletes at the women's Australian Open has been broken after Hannah Green was crowned champion on the course in Adelaide.
Just one shot separated Green from American Auston Kim in the end, with the Australian local finishing 14-under par for the tournament.
Karrie Webb was the last Australian athlete to achieve victory at the tournament, having done so back in 2014 when she finished with 11-under par.
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It was far from a smooth finish for Green in the end, as she went from having a buffer with a birdie at the 16th to then producing a bogey at the 17th.
The Western Australian then needed to par the last hole to avoid heading into a playoff, given fellow Australian Cassie Porter and France's Agathe Laisne's late success on the course.
But the prospect of a playoff unfolding was not one that Green wanted, nor was she bothered by, finding a beautiful swing to claim victory on the 18th.
"I like to make it really nerve-racking for myself and for everyone watching," Green said, laughing.
"I hope my next win is a little more chill."
Women's Australian Open champion Hannah Green. Getty
The victory marks the second win of the season for Green on the LPGA tour, having won the Women's World Championship in Singapore by one stroke two weeks ago.
"I think the win in Singapore definitely helped with my nerves today," Green added.
"I felt a little more in control of my golf ball.
"I felt like it was quite tough to make birdies so I don't know how Cassie had such good round today.
"Yeah, just really happy to have my name on that trophy amongst all the other amazing winners as well as 'Webby'."
Hannah Green tees off the 17th during day three of the Women's Australian Open. Getty
Green was joined on the course by her husband and professional golfer Jarryd Felton, who took on the duty as her caddie for the second tournament in a row.
The 29-year-old's usual caddie has been unable to travel with her due to the requirements he needs to meet to obtain his green card.
"He's probably getting a little too used to caddying if I'm honest," Green laughed.
"He is a good player himself, so I hope that this doesn't change what he wants to do in life."
Green will look to add a third title to her collection for the season next week when she competes at the WPGA Championship in the Gold Coast.
