Australia’s Green wins World Championship title with late birdie blitz

SINGAPORE (Agencies): Australian Hannah Green shot three late birdies, including one with a 30-foot putt on the final hole, to claim the HSBC Women’s World Championship title on Sunday with a final round five-under 67 that sealed a one-shot win over Frenchwoman Celine Boutier. It was the 27-year-old’s fourth victory on the LPGA tour and first since the JM Eagle LA Championship last year, earning her a cool $270,000 ––– the winner’s share of the $1.8 million event at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club. Green, who started the day in second place behind Japan’s Ayaka Furue, endured a blip with bogey on the par-four 10th hole before the Perth resident turned up the heat with some excellent putting for three straight birdies at the end. Her final effort on the green sparked huge celebrations. Boutier went 12-under overall to finish one shot behind the winner, while Furue settled for a share of eighth spot with a double bogey on the final hole summing up her disappointing display on the day. Green was drenched in champagne by her fellow Australian players following her first win in Asia, which came three years after she finished second in the tournament.