Hannah Green is aiming for a strong opening round as she looks to shake off the label of a one-major wonder at this week’s prestigious Chevron Championship in Texas.
Following a standout 2024 season featuring three LPGA Tour victories, Green will headline a seven-player Australian contingent at women’s golf’s first major of the year, starting Thursday.
Currently ranked world number five, Green has established herself as one of the sport’s most consistent players, though she admits she’s eager to contend more frequently in majors. Her last top finish came at the 2022 Women’s PGA Championship, where she tied for fifth.
“For the past few years, I haven’t really been able to do that,” Green said on Tuesday. “When I look back, even beyond stats, I feel like I never get off to a good start at majors. I’m hoping this time, even if my first round isn’t my best, I can at least stay in contention heading into the weekend.”
She acknowledged that with her high ranking comes added expectation — from both others and herself.
“I just want to be careful not to heap too much pressure on myself,” she said.
It’s been six years since Green claimed her breakthrough major at the 2019 Women’s PGA Championship at the age of 22.
Building momentum
Strong performances at the last two Olympic Games, where Green secured top-five finishes without medaling, have fueled her hunger for more success at golf’s biggest tournaments.
While she narrowly missed a title three-peat in recent weeks, the 28-year-old showed solid form with a tie for ninth at the LA Championship last Sunday — a result she hopes to carry into Carlton Woods Country Club this week.
“I always enjoy playing in California,” Green said. “I’m not sure why, but it was good to have a top-10 finish right before this event. Normally, I struggle the week before a major, so I’m hoping to build on that form.”
Green admitted her struggles at this championship in the past two years — where she missed the cut — have been tough lessons, but believes a better approach this time around can turn things around.
“I’m hoping to get off to a better start, leave those past results behind, and make a fresh start here in Houston,” she said.
Joining Green in the $US8 million event are dual major champion Minjee Lee, who also secured a top-10 finish in Los Angeles, Steph Kyriacou, Gabriela Ruffels, Grace Kim, Hira Naveed, and rising star Cassie Porter, who will be making her major championship debut.
