[PHOTO: Harry How/Getty Images]
Perth’s Hannah Green has produced a ball-striking masterclass to successfully defend the JM Eagle LA Championship in Los Angeles for her fifth LPGA title.
Green fired a closing five-under 66 to win by three strokes from Sweden’s Maja Stark at Wilshire Country Club for the most convincing win of her career, which saw her collect the $US562,500 winner’s prizemoney.
Sydneysider Grace Kim, who shared the 54-hole lead with her compatriot, faded with a six-over 77 to tie for 25th.
It was Green’s second triumph this year, coming eight weeks after she holed a dramatic 25-foot birdie on the final green to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore by a stroke.
The latest victory should propel Green from world No.18 into the top 10 on the Rolex Rankings for women’s golf.
Green had missed the cut the previous week at the year’s first major, the Chevron Championship, giving her some extra time with coach Ritchie Smith.
On Sunday after a birdie at the par-4 first hole and bogey the par-3 fourth, Green strung together seven pars. She caught fire on the back nine with three birdies and an eagle in a five-hole stretch (holes 12-16) that clinched the victory.
“When I chipped in on 12, I kind of felt like I really snagged one there,” Green said. “I really like the 13th hole and also played the 15th really well. When I made eagle on 15 that kind of sealed the deal. I did see Maja got it to nine-under so I know what I needed to do. Usually, I make it really tricky on myself and only win by a shot.”
Green missed just one of 14 fairways on the final day and missed only four greens in regulation.
For the week, Green hit 50 of 56 fairways and and 57 of 72 greens.