Date: February 19, 2016
Author: Tom Fee

THE AMATEUR: Not so Green

If the last two and a half weeks are any indication, amateur Hannah Green is ready to be a legitimate golfer on the professional circuit.

This afternoon at the ISPS Handa Australia Open, Green made her third cut in as many weeks on the back of her 2-under second round at The Grange Golf Club.

In each tournament Green has gone up a level and succeeded — first on the ALPG sanctioned Victorian Open, then the New Zealand Open on the Ladies European Tour and now she will play the weekend at the highest level on the LPGA Tour.

And just like every great golfer, Green put up enough spectacular shots of her own to require her own highlight reel.

Green’s four bogeys in the round were interspersed by four birdies and an eagle on the par-4 ninth.

“[On the ninth] I hit a 6-iron in from 141m. I was going to start it on the pin and draw it back into the hole,” said Green.

“It started on the pin and I didn’t really know how far it was going to pitch – as soon as it went in it was a relief!”

Green’s other highlight was on the par-4 16th where she hit an approach that finished within inches and making the TV coverage — something that Green found “pretty cool.”

But instead of getting carried away with her good shots, Green is focusing on where she needs to improve.

“I’ve played well the last two weeks and I think I’m hitting the ball better,” said Green.

“I’m not struggling with my putting, I just can’t find the hole as quickly as I’d like to.”

Green saved face with the putter on the 18th thanks to a 10 footer to save par..

“That was probably the longest putt I sunk all day, but [I wouldn’t say I’m] unhappy with my putting.”

On 2-under, Green is in a tie for 23rd place and three shots up in the race for low-amateur.

“I guess getting the low amateur at the end of the week would be nice, but I just want to get a good result. If I get that, it’s a bonus.”