World No. 6 golfer Hannah Green set for S’pore return to defend HSBC Women’s World C’ship

SINGAPORE – A triumphant outing at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in March teed off a stellar 2024 for Hannah Green and the Australian will be hoping to replicate her success as organisers confirmed on Dec 10 that she will be returning for the 2025 edition.

After her victory at Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong Course, the 27-year-old won two other titles this season.

The first was at April’s LA Championship in Los Angeles before she claimed the BMW Ladies Championship title in South Korea six months later.

She also recorded another three top-10 finishes.

Starting the year as world No. 28, Green’s form in 2024 saw her rise to a career-high fifth in the world rankings in October.

On coming back to Singapore for the Feb 27-March 2 tournament, the world No. 6 said: “I’m really excited to return to the HSBC Women’s World Championship next year and defend my title.

“Winning at Sentosa was incredible, especially with that thrilling finish and unforgettable putt.”

She had won the 2024 event in dramatic fashion. She had not been in contention after the first round after posting a two-over 74 that placed her tied-36th.

But she worked her way up the leaderboard and was tied for the lead with Andrea Lee and Ayaka Furue heading into the last nine holes on the final day.

The fight for the title went down to the final hole. The Perth native drained a 27-foot birdie putt on the par-four 18th, pipping Frenchwoman Celine Boutier to the US$270,000 (S$363,000) prize by one stroke.

This victory made her the second Australian to win the event, following Karrie Webb in 2011.

Retaining her title will be no easy feat judging from past records. Apart from South Koreans Ko Jin-young and Park In-bee, no one else has won the event twice, with the former being the only one to win back-to-back editions.

Green, however, relishes the challenge.

“Even before my win, this event has always been one of my favourites on tour – HSBC does an excellent job with hosting us, and Sentosa Golf Club does the same preparing the course,” said Green, who has six LPGA titles.

“Coming back as the defending champion makes it even more special. It’s been a strong year for me, and I’m hoping to carry this momentum into the next season.”

Apart from a standout LPGA season, the 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner also had an impressive outing at the Paris Olympics, narrowly missing out on a place on the podium after coming in tied-fourth on six-under 282, just a stroke behind China’s bronze medallist Lin Xiyu.

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko claimed gold at Le Golf National with a 10-under 278 total, while silver went to German Esther Henseleit (280).

HSBC Singapore chief executive Wong Kee Joo is looking forward to the return of “Asia’s Major”, with the 2025 event featuring a new ticket category titled The Viewing Deck Experience, which will be positioned between the ninth and 11th greens.

Wong said: “We’re especially excited to welcome back defending champion Hannah Green, whose thrilling final birdie putt in the last round secured her victory (in 2024).

“Sentosa Golf Club has also been an exceptional host for this event, and we eagerly look forward to the 2025 championship.”

Grant Slack, executive vice-president and managing director of golf events at tournament organiser IMG, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome back Hannah Green alongside a stellar world-class field, promising unforgettable moments for golf fans in Singapore.

“We are also dedicated to creating innovative experiences for fans of all ages, further cementing the tournament’s status as ‘Asia’s Major’.”

Tickets, which will go on sale from noon on Dec 12, can be purchased on hsbcgolf.com/womens/tickets with an early bird offer for weekend seasonal and four-day seasonal tickets.