Having a standout participant to chase recurrently has helped Hannah Inexperienced increase the bar this yr however it’s the reminiscences of one other Australian champion fuelling a significant fireplace for the brand new world quantity 5 forward of subsequent week’s US Open.
Inexperienced went head-to-head with the most well liked golfer on the planet, world No.1 Nelly Korda, in New Jersey final weekend and solely a single shot, an errant remaining gap drive, stood between her and the American who secured a staggering sixth win in her previous seven occasions.
Between them the dynamic pair have gained eight occasions on the LPGA Tour this yr, with Inexperienced profitable twice, the one a number of occasion winners in 2024.
Whereas Korda has netted greater than $4 million in her golden run, Inexperienced has climbed the rankings, becoming a member of to the highest 10 for the primary time ever after her second win in Los Angeles after which leaping to a brand new career-high after her runner-up end.
Minjee Lee is the one different Australian to function within the top-10 for the very best a part of seven years, and he or she displaced legendary Karrie Webb as the best ranked Aussie manner again in 2015.
However it’s Webb’s legacy which is entrance of thoughts for Inexperienced as she leads the Australian contingent at subsequent week’s US Open at Lancaster Golf Membership in Pennsylvania having been impressed by watching {the golfing} nice from “outdoors the ropes” within the 2015 Open on the similar venue.
Inexperienced stated she was “tremendous excited” for the her upcoming which for her now additionally contains the Paris Olympics, the place she’s going to put on the inexperienced and gold for the second time after pairing up with good good friend Minjee Lee in Tokyo, which they may do once more.
“Yeah, I’m tremendous excited for the following stretch of occasions. You already know, to return to someplace that I haven’t really performed however been outdoors the ropes sort of was motivated, and that was the factor that actually needed me be — grow to be an expert golfer, watching Karrie there,” Inexperienced stated.
“So I’m actually excited for Lancaster. You already know, comparable within the sense of the grass kind and the circumstances. Hopefully just a little hotter than what we had within the first couple days (in New Jersey).
“However yeah, I’m tremendous excited for the following stretch of occasions. I’m prepared for per week off additionally to exercise and prepare.”
Regardless of her a number of wins and shut end with Korda final weekend, Inexperienced stated she didn’t really feel like a “dominant” participant.
However the way in which Korda managed to problem, even when not enjoying her finest, has helped Inexperienced add a brand new dimension to her personal sport.
“Not likely positive I might’ve stated it initially of the yr that I might be so dominant. I’ve stated that in different interviews, that I used to be stunned that I’ve already gained twice,” she stated.
“I believe that’s simply because I now have gained 5 occasions in my profession and took me some time to get from two to 3. Now three and 4 — sorry, 4 and 5 have come so rapidly. I felt like I’ve by no means actually performed that unhealthy. I’ve simply — it’s simply getting higher on the unhealthy — when you’ve these unhealthy rounds.
“I believe that’s in all probability what Nelly is experiencing, too. Clearly when she’s sizzling she’s at all times capable of win tournaments, however when she’s not enjoying so effectively she’s nonetheless up there. “That’s one thing that I’ve tried to work on and possibly not be as aggressive with sure pictures and possibly simply play to the center of the inexperienced or no matter it might be.
“Yeah, it’s fairly cool to have Nelly paving the way in which and all of us attempting to chase her.”
