Green races away at Vic Open

MAJOR winner Hannah Green has the women’s Vic Open at her mercy after clearing out to a five-shot lead with one round to play at 13th Beach Golf Links.

The West Australian carded a four-under 68 in tricky conditions today (Saturday, February 12) to be at 12 under, five strokes clear of Karis Davidson (68) and overnight leader Whitney Hillier, who struggled in a third round of 75.

Fellow LPGA Tour regular Su Oh was in outright fourth at five under.

The only other two players under par were Cassie Porter (four under) and New Zealander Momoka Kobori (three under).

The sole blemish on the 25-year-old Green’s card today was a bogey-five on the 16th hole, the first shot she had dropped all week in the $410,000 tournament.

She and Davidson – who has earned her LPGA Tour card for 2022 – were the only players able to break 70 on Saturday.

“(Having such a big lead) is probably a little bit easier for the chasing pack,” said Green, who in 2019 became only the third Australian woman to win a major when she saluted at the PGA Championship.

“They can try to post a number and hope that I crumble, I guess. That’s what everyone thinks.

“I’ve never really been in this position with such a big lead so I’m excited for it.”

Green extended her advantage as the wind picked up on the difficult Beach Course on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s quite hard to hit it close on that back nine,” she said.

“Even though you’ve got short clubs in, it’s still hard to get it close.

“It’s getting firmer, the greens are getting a little more slick and it’s hard to stay patient.”

In the men’s tournament, John Lytras still leads at 16 under and has a chance to go wire-to-wire tomorrow (Sunday, February 13).

Dimi Papadatos played alongside him in the final group and had a share of the lead at one point on his way to 68. He made a great up-and-down to save par at the last, and remains the nearest challenger at 15 under.

Kiwi Ben Campbell (66 today), Queenslander Aaron Pike and Victorians Zach Murray and Matthew Griffin are at 14 under and still in the mix.

The men’s and women’s Vic Opens are held concurrently on the 36-hole 13th Beach layout.