Hannah Green showcased her prowess on Friday at the Seville Golf and Country Club in Gilbert, Ariz., during the second round of the inaugural Ford Championship.
Starting the day at 3-under following her solid 69 on Day 1, Green found herself trailing by six shots. However, she staged a remarkable comeback.
In a flawless display, Green fired an impressive bogey-free 11-under 61, marking a career low for her. This remarkable performance propelled her an astounding 52 spots up the leaderboard, securing a one-shot lead at 14-under. The 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner closed her round with six consecutive birdies.
Despite not feeling her best, Green exceeded her own expectations on Friday. “I wasn’t feeling that great overnight,” she admitted. “Have a bit of a runny nose and sore throat, so wasn’t expecting that much which is maybe a good thing…”
Green in Reg: A 2-putt birdie at the Par 5 18th is the 6th straight for Hannah Green to finish her 2nd round and take a 1-shot lead.
After a comeback victory in Singapore earlier this month, Green is trying to follow Nelly as an early season 2-time winner. #FordChampionship pic.twitter.com/x7RsIwA33i
— Grant Boone (@grantboone) March 29, 2024
Reflecting on her stellar performance, Green credited her improved putting and accurate reads on the greens. “With how the golf course is this week, it’s definitely gettable,” she noted. “It’s nice to see the ball go in, and the reads that I had were correct. Yesterday I actually didn’t feel like I played that much different. I read the greens a little better and hit putts that went in.”
Notably, Green’s round could have been even more remarkable, as she narrowly missed a putt on the final hole that could have resulted in a 60.
With the leaderboard packed and 14 players within four shots of her lead, Green remains grounded, knowing there’s still plenty of golf to be played. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” she emphasized. “The conditions for the weekend are going to be different from what we have had the last two days, so I got to make sure I don’t get too high, bring myself back to earth, and get ready for the next two days.”
Having already clinched a victory at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore earlier in the season, Green aims to emulate Nelly Korda’s early-season success as a two-time winner in 2024. Korda, one of the contenders within striking distance of Green’s lead, promises an exciting weekend ahead for the competitors.
