By Golf NSW
Western Australia’s Hannah Green is feeling a little extra pressure ahead of this week’s Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville but rather than being a burden she says she’s quite enjoying it.
Green is among the favourites to lift the trophy come Sunday but after a good showing at the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open last week in Adelaide isn’t fazed by outside expectations.
While she acknowledges it brings some extra pressure, she says it’s also ‘kind of nice’.
“I think there is definitely a little bit of added pressure, but I don’t think about that when I’m out on the course,” she says.
“It’s actually kind of a nice feeling to be one of the favourites ahead of the week.
“I feel like my game is in good form and it’s nice to be back somewhere I’ve played before, so I’m really looking forward to the week.”
Green finished T9 at Bonville in 2018 but said she feels the course is a different proposition in 2019.
Storms and heavy rain lashed the area ahead of the inaugural tournament last year, but it’s been the opposite in recent months with little rain to speak of in the Coffs Harbour area.
“Compared to last year the course is looking amazing,” she said after playing the pro-am.
“The greens are rolling beautifully, and I mentioned at the tournament dinner they seem less grainy this year, and I was told the staff had been trying to achieve that so obviously they’re doing a great job.
“I didn’t really have a chance to win last year even though I finished quite well, but I remember I hit a lot of good shots and I’ll draw on that this week.”
Green was joint leading Australian at the national Open last week in Adelaide after she made a fast start but couldn’t build momentum on the weekend.
While The Grange and Bonville could hardly be different in style and presentation, she said the good play in South Australia had her feeling confident.
“It takes a bit of adjustment because the grasses are so different, but I’ve had two laps around Bonville now, so that’s all sorted,” she said.
“Now it is a matter of just trying to maintain consistency throughout the whole week.
“That’s what hurt me at The Grange, I think. I played well the first two days and holed a lot of putts but on Saturday I missed a lot of greens, and on Sunday I hit it better but didn’t hole the putts.
“If I can be a bit more consistent across all four days I would hope to be in with a chance come Sunday afternoon.”
Green tees off alongside Dutch star Anne Van Dam and NSW amateur Grace Kim at 7.20am off the ninth tee.
