AUSTRALIA’S BARWON HEADS — Hannah Green, a former U.S. Women’s PGA champion, won the Vic Open by six strokes on Sunday after closing with a 1-under 71.
Green, who won the LPGA Tour’s Women’s PGA tournament in 2019, returned off a three-month layoff to win her first professional title in Australia at the 13th Beach Golf Links with a 13-under par total of 276.
In blustery conditions, she suffered bogeys on the second and seventh holes, but three birdies over the last seven holes helped her expand her lead.
Green, who won her first two championships in the United States, stated, “The Vic Open was my first ever professional event, so it definitely has special memories for me coming here; some very strange experiences, but nice memories.” “This is simply a stepping stone, but it’ll help me feel better.”
“It’s good to see my name on a legitimate trophy over here,” says the winner.
Karis Davidson and Whitney Hillier started and finished the final round tied for second place, shooting even-par 72s. Hillier almost missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole, which would have put her in sole possession of second place.
Su Oh and Cassie Porter tied for fourth place at 5 under par.
In the Vic Open, men’s and women’s tournaments are held in mixed groups.
As the top three finishers in the men’s competition, Dimitros Papadatos, Ben Campbell, and Matthew Griffin qualified for the 150th British Open in July.
After securing their positions, all three players were handed with British Open 18th-hole flags.
Papadatos finished with a 6-under 66 and a birdie in his final round to finish at 21-under 267 and win the Vic Open for the second time. Griffin (70) finished in third place at 16 under, one stroke behind Campbell (66).
After a final round of 74, John Lyras, who had led the tournament after each of the first three rounds, finished in a tie for fifth place at 14 under.
He hit his tee shot into the rough on the left, his second shot into a greenside bunker, and his third shot past the hole, needing an eagle at the last to qualify for the British Open. He also missed a putt for a birdie, putting him in fourth place in the event.
The British Open will be held on the Old Course at St. Andrews from July 14 to 17. The qualifying slots were granted to the Vic Open after the New Zealand Open was canceled this year due to COVID-19 pandemic quarantine requirements.
