Hannah Green of Australia used a torrid stretch on the back nine to go back-to-back at Wilshire Country Club, claiming the JM Eagle LA Championship title on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Green, who won the tournament last year in a three-way playoff, earned a more comfortable three-stroke victory this time after firing a 5-under 66, her lowest round of the week. She separated from the pack by holing an eagle and three birdies between the 12th and 16th holes for a back-nine 31.
Only one player was within five shots of Green’s 12-under 272. Sweden’s Maja Stark finished birdie-birdie for a 68 and a 9-under 275.
Green earned her fifth LPGA Tour win and her second since March.
“It’s really kind to me,” Green said of the course on the Golf Channel broadcast. “I felt like a couple times today, I almost got like a member bounce. I’m obviously really fond of the golf club and I joked and said that they didn’t actually approve it with me that they’re making alterations.”
Green chipped in for birdie on No. 12 to extend her narrow lead before making a short birdie putt one hole later. She proceeded to drain an eagle putt from just off the par-5 15th green, followed by one last birdie to remove any doubt.
“I think when I chipped in on 12, I kind of felt like I really snagged one there,” Green said. “… I think when I made eagle on 15 I kind of sealed the deal. I did see that Maja got it to 9 under, so I knew what I needed to do.”
Stark had four birdies and one bogey on her back nine, keeping pace with Green as best she could.
“I didn’t see much of what (Green) was doing,” Stark said. “I just heard a big roar on 17 and that was the eagle, I think. Yeah. So I mean, not much you can do about that. I didn’t want to make it too easy for her.”
Green began the day tied for the lead with fellow Australian Grace Kim, but Kim turned in a 6-over 77 and dropped to a tie for 25th at 1 under.
South Korea’s Haeran Ryu shot a 69 and placed third at 6 under. South Koreans Jin Young Ko (67) and Jin Hee Im (72) were tied for fourth at 5 under.
This was the first LPGA event since March 10 won by someone other than Nelly Korda. Korda won her past five straight starts, including four tournaments in a row, before withdrawing from this tournament at the beginning of the week to rest and recharge.
–Field Level Media
