LYDIA Ko, with a round that included seven birdies, and Charley Hull, the English player who focuses as much on her early morning running as she does on golf, have the lead after three rounds of the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

Ko, the latest member of golf’s Hall of Fame and a star of the game, matched Hull’s score of four-under 68 today to shade her British rival by a stroke going into tomorrow’s final round at Sentosa Golf Club.
But they’re both wary of pre-tournament favourite Jeeno Thitikul, who shot seven birdies in a six-under round of 66 – the best of the tournament – to climb into third place, just three strokes from the lead, and join them in tomorrow’s final group.

Right behind her are Australians Minjee Lee, who shot a bogey-free four-under 68, and defending champion Hannah Green, who came from nowhere with a five-under 67 to be within striking distance, just five shots from Ko‘s lead.

On another hot, humid day at Sentosa, the cream rose to the top, with three of the world’s top 10 players finding their way to the top of the leader board.

Ko, whose caddie Paul Cormack was named 2025 Caddie of the Year before play began, traded her seven birdies with bogeys at the fourth, eighth and 11th holes as her approach shots briefly let her down.
“I made a few mistakes but I was able to bounce back with a few good birdies as well,” she said. “I felt like I played really solid. So hopefully these past few days will give me a good rhythm for tomorrow.

“You just have to play smart around this golf course. I think I’ve been doing that fairly well. I may make a mistake here and there, but try and not get too carried away with that and just focus on the next one
“There’s a lot of golf to be played and it’s a fairly packed leader board.”

Hull, who began the day two strokes behind overnight leader A Lim Kim, birdied the second and fourth holes to draw level, then played steadily, with more birdies on 10 and 13, to shoot her four-under 68.
“I woke up this morning and I actually was sick,” Hull said. “I threw up and then I kind of got my head together. Then I actually did my personal best in my 5km run in 26 minutes.

“I knocked 30 seconds off my best time. I was pretty happy about that. That kept me in a good space for the rest of the day. I just went out on the golf course and played golf.

“That’s about it, really. It’s just a game at the end of the day. I’m pretty happy with the way I’m going and looking forward to tomorrow, and then one more day until I fly home.”
Thitikul, who has been placed top 10 in her last eight outings, and will surely add to that number tomorrow, putted brilliantly for birdies at two, four, five, 11, 14, 16 and 18 in a superb round, marred only by a bogey five at the ninth.

She put her improvement down to a new driver which, she said, allowed her to keep her ball in play from the tee. “If it’s on the fairway it’s way easier than the rough here,” she said.

“I had a lot of chances to make birdies. I missed some, but I made some, too. I think what worked well today is I just don’t think too much. Just line up and putt.”

Minjee Lee is in a strong position, her 68 lifting her to fourth place, only four strokes from the lead going into tomorrow’s final round. She birdied the fifth, seventh, 13th and 18th holes in a stellar round of golf.
“I was pretty consistent all day,” she said. “I stayed pretty patient and gave myself a few more looks for birdie.

“I felt like the conditions were pretty tough, kind of with the wind. I know we had a few tees that were up, but it still counter-balanced with the pin being in a harder spot. I didn’t really feel like it was playing all that easy out there.

“Obviously I’ll try to get off to a really hot start tomorrow. I think it’s the type of golf course where you can’t really hit them, like, super tight. So I feel like if you’re putting from mid-range on, you’re going to have a really great chance.”

Also making a charge was defending champion Green, written off by most after a poor first-round 75. But, as she did last year, the Western Australian bounced back, shooting a five-under-par 67 that could have been even better.

After finding the greenside bunker with her approach on the 18th hole, Green exploded from the sand to within 1.5m of the hole, only to miss the par putt.

“I didn’t drive it great again but I felt like my miss-hits were in better positions,” she said. ”But it’s still a little bit tricky picking whether it would be a flyer or not out of the rough. I holed some really nice putts.”
She said she appreciated having so many people supporting her.

“It was just a really good feeling out there. I felt like a lot of people were cheering me on,” she said. ”I think it’s kind of nice trying to jump up the leader board, instead of staying at the top. I’ve put myself in a good position for tomorrow.”

Fellow Aussies Steph Kyriacou (70) and Grace Kim (72) had their best rounds of the tournament, but they are too far back to contend tomorrow, as is Gabi Ruffels, who scored 76.

Inside Golf is proud to be a media partner of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, an event that has been claimed by a major winner in 14 of its 16 stagings.

The post Lydia leads, but Jeeno and Hannah are ready to challenge in big Singapore championship first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/lydia-leads-but-jeeno-and-hannah-are-ready-to-challenge-in-big-singapore-championship/

LYDIA Ko, the Kiwi star who, at just 27, has achieved more in golf than almost anybody in history, roared into contention today with a brilliant second round five-under-par 67 in the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa in Singapore.

Ko (71, 67) vaulted into second place in the event, referred to as Asia’s ‘major’, just a stroke behind half-way leader A Lim Kim, of Korea, who added a stress-free 69 to her first-round 68.

Minjee Lee could not get her putter working, returning a par round of 72 to sit two-under, tied 12th and only five strokes from the lead. She remains our best chance of retaining the title, won last year by fellow Western Australian Hannah Green.

Most of the world-class field of 66 scored better today, taking advantage of the calmer conditions, and being more familiar with the tricky greens.

But it was Ko who attracted most attention.

Seemingly more relaxed and confident after a stellar 2024, when she won three times on the LPGA Tour and took the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Ko shot a bogey-free round, picking up birdies at the fifth, eighth, 12th, 13th and 16th, a long par five, where she rifled a nine iron to 4m and sank the putt.

Ko, a three-time major champion, a Hall of Famer and still the youngest player to be ranked No 1 in the world (at 17), is making her 11th appearance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, an event being contested by nine of the world’s top 10 players.

Describing her round, Ko said she felt it was ‘only marginally better’ than yesterday’s 71. “I played solid yesterday,” she said, “but the conditions made it a lot more difficult to score.

“The wind was calmer today. Not a lot went wrong and I just kept giving myself a lot of good looks.
“I think the real key to me playing well is hitting a lot of greens, and I was able to do that a lot better today. I think that was probably the biggest difference in the score.”

Ko was followed by a large group of supporters, including one man wearing a shirt proudly proclaiming him to be a member of ‘Team Lydia’.

“Obviously I’m very grateful,” Ko said. “There’s a girl who comes with a sign every year, and her mom is pulling her in a cart all the way around the golf course.

“People have shirts with a picture of me – even I don’t want to own a shirt with a picture of me. For them to support me, whether it’s here in Singapore or wherever we play, obviously we are very grateful.”
Ko said the success she had last year had given her the confidence to play with more freedom, and ‘try things’ she wouldn’t have in the past. “It’s a different mindset,” she said.

Korea’s A Lim Kim did little wrong today, beginning quickly with birdies at the first, fourth and nine holes, and following up with more birdies at the 10th and 13th. But bogeys at three and four kept her lead to just one stroke.

She was pleased with her shot-making and putting, but said she was having difficulty reading the greens.
“The grain is very strong and then there is the slope,” she said. “So we have to calculate slope and grain and it is very tricky. But everybody is in the same situation, so keep working hard.”

England’s Charley Hull, who begins each day with a run through the streets of Singapore – today’s distance she calculated at 12km – played solid golf for a two-under 70, and lies in equal third place on five-under-par, two strokes from the lead.

“I played a good shot on the first but missed the putt,” she said. “Then I got on to a good start from there. I played decent. Missed a couple short putts, but bounced back on the back nine. Looking forward to tomorrow.”

Her plans for the evening? “Just chill. Go to bed early. Sleep. I’m tired.”

Hull shares third place with Korea’s Hyo-joo Kim, who had four birdies and an eagle in her round of 66 – equal best of the day.

Kim, a six-time LPGA Tour winner and a major champion, played a bogey-free round, which included birdies on the first, fourth, sixth, 16th and an eagle three on the 13th.

Defending champion Hannah Green played much better today, slotting four birdies in her round of three-under 69. She’ll be disappointed taking a bogey six on the eight hole – her second last – but at even par after 36 holes she is only seven strokes from the lead.

Of the other Australians, Gaby Ruffels (80, 71) is 57th, Steph Kyriacou (82, 70) is 59th, and Grace Kim (78, 77) is in a tie for 63rd, all seemingly out of contention.

Inside Golf is a proud media partner of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, which concludes on Sunday.

The post Classy Ko charges into second spot in big Singapore tournament first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/classy-ko-charges-into-second-spot-in-big-singapore-tournament/

Minjee Lee plays her approach to the first green in the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore today.

MINJEE Lee, despite almost losing her ball in shoulder high grass on the sixth hole, was the best of a disappointing Australian contingent after the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore today.

Lee, already the winner of two major events on the LPGA Tour, recovered to shoot two-under-par 70 to be tied third at the spectacular Sentosa golf course on the shores of Singapore harbour.

She is two strokes behind Korean A Lim Kim, the winner of the season-opening Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida, who played superb golf on a tricky day to shoot 68, one stroke clear of England’s Charley Hull.

Defending champion Hannah Green bogeyed the 18^th hole for a disappointing three-over-par 75, and the Western Australian faces a difficult task to repeat last year’s triumph.

The other three Aussies – Grace Kim (78), Gabi Ruffels (80) and Steph Kyriacou (82) – are well back in the field of 66 golfers, and seemingly out of contention.

Minjee Lee, wielding her new long putter, sank a 10m putt from the back of the green for a birdie three on the par-four opening hole, but bogeyed the par four third.

On the sixth, she drove into the rough on the left, and eventually found her ball well off the fairway. Even after taking a penalty and moving her ball a full two club lengths, she was barely able to drop it outside the shoulder high grass, and did well to escape with just a bogey.

Birdies on the eighth and 10^th took her to two-under, and she was able to hold that margin until the end. Only two strokes from the lead Lee, the winner of 10 LPGA events, is well placed to challenge for her first title since 2023.

Green, who has developed an unfortunate tendency to begin slowly, never looked comfortable on Sentosa’s tricky greens. 

Even with the card after 11 holes, she double-bogeyed the par four 12^th, then had a bogey five on the 14^th. A birdie on 17, the product of a five-metre putt for two, gave promise of a strong finish, but she putted poorly on 18 for a bogey five.

Tied 37^th, she seems too far back, though she did win last year’s title after a similarly poor first round.

Powerful Korean A Lim Kim, who has begun this year’s LPGA Tour in great style, had no such troubles.

She collected birdies on six, eight, 12, 13 and 15 to reach five-under, but surprisingly gave back a shot on the par five 16^th hole. Apart from that one blemish she was in control of her game throughout the round, reaching 15 of the 18 greens in regulation. 

Charley Hull on the first hole.

Charley Hull, the colourful English woman who claims she never practices golf, breezed around in a bogey-free three-under 69, lies second and looms as a real threat in this tournament of star golfers.

Sharing third place with Lee on 70 are China’s Ruoning Yin, Korea’s Hye-jin Choi and Mexican Gaby Lopex.

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the world’s No 3 golfer, is tied seventh on one-under 71, along with tournament favourite Jeeno Thitikul, of Thailand, who recorded her 32^nd consecutive under par round, dating back to the 2024 FM Championship.

If she scores four rounds under par this week, she will pass Korean Jin Young Ko’s record of 34 consecutive rounds under par. 

Inside Golf is a proud media partner of the event, which has attracted nine of the world’s top 10 players. The 72-hole tournament concludes on Sunday.

The post Minjee shoots 2 under for third as Aussies struggle in Singapore first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/wpga/minjee-shoots-2-under-for-third-as-aussies-struggle-in-singapore/

Next week, the Gold Coast Festival of Golf is set to redefine how fans, families, and players experience the game. Taking place from 6–9 March 2025 at Sanctuary Cove, this four-day festival blends world-class golf, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and social events into one spectacular celebration of the sport. 

With the Australian WPGA Championship at its heart, the festival goes beyond traditional tournament play, offering an immersive experience featuring the latest golf innovations, gourmet food and drinks, interactive fan zones and special events such as the Superyacht Chipping Challenge, the Gold Coast Festival of Golf Beach Party, the International Women’s Day Charity Luncheon and the unmissable Running of the Balls. 

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, a casual fan, or simply looking for a great day out, this is an event not to be missed. 

The Australian WPGA Championship – Witness the Rising Stars of Women’s Golf 

The Australian WPGA Championship, co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET), will showcase some of the most promising rising stars in women’s golf as they take on the challenging The Palms golf course at Sanctuary Cove. 

With the coveted Karrie Webb Cup at stake, spectators can expect an adrenaline-pumping contest featuring an impressive field of Australian and International female golfers, including Grace Kim, Chiara Tamburini and Cara Gainer. 

The Australian WPGA Championship will be part of a three-week stretch of co-sanctioned events between the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the Ladies European Tour (LET). 

Beyond the Course – A Festival Like No Other 

The Golf Exhibition – Get Hands-On with the Best in the Game 

Step into the Golf Exhibition, where you can explore the latest gear, tech and equipment from some of the biggest names in golf. 

Check out cutting-edge clubs and gadgets, chat with industry experts and score exclusive festival deals from brands including Performance Golf who will be retailing the latest ranges from Callaway, TaylorMade and PING. You will also see the latest from Bushnell, Garmin, MGI Golf and all the leading golf cart brands.

Eat & Drink Zone – Feast, Sip & Celebrate 

Great golf deserves great tastes, and the Eat & Drink Zone is serving up next-level flavours all weekend long. Sip on craft beers, boutique wines and premium spirits from the region’s best producers. 

Soak up the festival atmosphere with live music, DJs and pop-up bars from brands including Black Hops Brewing, Cauldron Distillery, Heads of Noosa Brewing Co, Hiatus Beers, Kendor Distillery, Roji Cat Brewery, Seven Mile Brewing, Bimbadgen, Night Merchant, Wayward Brewing Co and White Oat Distillery, plus many more. 

Superyacht Chipping Challenge – A Golf Experience Like No Other 

Imagine standing on the deck of a luxury Horizon superyacht and taking aim at a floating green in the stunning Sanctuary Cove Marina. The Superyacht Chipping Challenge, presented by TaylorMade, is a festival highlight combining skill, precision and an unbeatable backdrop. 

Chip in for charity and sink the perfect shot and you could win epic prizes including a full set of fitted TaylorMade golf clubs valued at over $6,000, with all proceeds supporting the Aussie Athlete Fund, supporting the next generation of Aussie athletes. 

As a bonus, all participants will also receive a free general admission ticket to the Australian WPGA Championship. 

Fan Zones – Interactive Fun for All Ages 

Beyond the golf course, The Marine Village will be buzzing with fan zones and activities designed for every age and skill level. 

• Putt-Putt and Mini Golf courses 
• Topgolf Gold Coast skills challenge 
• Golf Dart chipping challenge 
• Kids’ activity areas, including a Sportstacular zone and craft station (Saturday & Sunday) 

Whether you’re testing your short game, or just having fun with friends, there’s something for everyone. 

Gold Coast Festival of Golf Beach Party – Where Golf Meets Glamour Friday, 7 March | Lagoon Pool, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort 

The Gold Coast’s hottest beach party presented by IHG Hotels & Resorts will take over the lagoon pool at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort. Guests can sip on handcrafted cocktails, savour gourmet canapés, soak in the tropical vibes and enjoy live entertainment, all while mingling with some of the Australian WPGA Championship’s biggest stars and VIP guests. 

Whether you’re here to network, dance the night away, or simply unwind in paradise, expect an unforgettable night.

International Women’s Day Charity Luncheon – Celebrating the Icons of Sport Saturday, 8 March | InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort 

Join some of the most inspiring women in sport and business for an intimate afternoon of fine food, beverages, storytelling, and celebration. 

Mingle with elite athletes, hear their inspiring stories and be part of a bespoke afternoon that celebrates female excellence in sport and business. Guests comprising some of the world’s most inspiring women including Sam Squiers (Fox Sports News presenter), Tiffany Kirkwood (COO, Hastings Deering), Alexandra Armas (CEO, LET) and Karen Lunn (CEO, WPGA Tour of Australasia). They will be joined by Olympic beach volleyball gold medallists Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst. 

All proceeds raised will go to the Aussie Athlete Fund, supporting the next generation of Aussie athletes. 

Poses, Peace & Pars Saturday, 8 March | Championship Village 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, a free yoga event – Poses, Peace & Pars – will be held at the Championship Village at 7:00am as part of the Australian WPGA Championship. Register for the event and receive a free ticket into the Australian WPGA Championship. 

Australian Long Drive & Tour Final – Power Meets Precision Saturday, 8 March | The Palms Golf Course 

Some of Australia’s biggest hitters will go head-to-head in the Men’s Australian Long Drive Rounds & Tour Final, while the festival will also host the first-ever Australian Women’s Long Drive competition in celebration of International Women’s Day. 

For spectators, it’s a must-see spectacle of athleticism and skill. For competitors, it’s the ultimate test, a chance to go head-to-head with the best and make a lasting impact in the world of long drive golf. 

A strong contender will be Queenslander Matthew Nicholls, or Matty Bombs as he is known on social media, who has a Long Drive record to-date of 410 metres. 

Out of the long drive, Nicholls sailed a drive past the 330-mark to take out Victorian Tom Ryan in the final at Cobram Barooga Golf Club. He also accrues some Order of Merit points in preparation for the Tour Final at Sanctuary Cove. Matt is ranked 2 in Australia and competes currently in the World Long Drive Tour in the USA. 

It’s not too late to for the public to enter and take up the challenge against Matty and others, details below. 

6 & 7 March: Simulator-based pre-qualifying at the Gold Coast Festival of Golf. 

8 March (AM): Two rounds of simulator-based qualifying at the Gold Coast Festival of Golf. 

8 March (PM): The top eight battle it out in an elimination final on the live grid after Championship play on The Palms golf course.

Think you’ve got the power? Entries are now open – step up and take your shot via the registration link. 

As a bonus, all participants will also receive a free general admission ticket to the Australian WPGA Championship 

Running of the Balls – The Festival’s Must-See Spectacle Sunday, 9 March | The Promenade, Sanctuary Cove 

The Running of the Balls will transform The Promenade into a high-energy racetrack, where thousands of golf balls will cascade down a specially designed course in a spectacular rolling race to the finish. 

Inspired by the adrenaline of Spain’s Running of the Bulls but swapping bulls for a chaotic rush of rolling golf balls, this is a must-see moment of the Gold Coast Festival of Golf. 

This festival-defining event is open to everyone. Participants purchase a numbered golf ball, with exciting prizes for the winners, including $5,000 cash and 50,000 IHG One Rewards Points for the ball that rolls the furthest. All proceeds go to the Aussie Athlete Fund. 

As a bonus, all participants will also receive a free general admission ticket to the Australian WPGA Championship. 

Aussie Legends Golf Classic – Tee Off with Sporting Icons Monday, 10 March | The Pines Golf Course 

Want to play alongside the heroes of Australian sport? The Aussie Legends Golf Classic gives amateur golfers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tee it up with Australia’s sporting greats, all while raising funds for the Aussie Athlete Fund. 

Be Part of the Action – Get Your Tickets Now 

• Gold Coast Festival of Golf – Register for Free entry 
• Australian WPGA Championship – GA: $15 | Champions Lounge: $395 (Children aged 17 and under receive free GA access to the Australian WPGA Championship). 
• Beach Party – $120 (includes free GA ticket to the Australian WPGA Championship) 
• International Women’s Day Charity Luncheon – $250 (includes free GA ticket to the Australian WPGA Championship) 
• Aussie Legends Golf Classic – Corporate Team Packages available at www.aussielegendsgolf.com.au 

Plan Your Trip: Convenient Parking & Transport Options 

Getting to the Gold Coast Festival of Golf is simple, with multiple transport options available. 

Enjoy FREE onsite parking with a shuttle service to the front gate or use the designated ride-share drop zone. The Translink 711 bus provides easy public transport access, and golf buggy parking zones are available for added convenience. 

The Gold Coast Festival of Golf will be held 6-9 March 2025 from 9am to 5pm. Visit www.festivalofgolf.com.au for tickets, more information and the full schedule of events. 

The Gold Coast Festival of Golf is owned and presented by Mulpha Events and proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland. 

The post More Than a Game – Sanctuary Cove Sets the Stage for the Gold Coast’s Biggest Golf Festival  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/events/more-than-a-game-sanctuary-cove-sets-the-stage-for-the-gold-coasts-biggest-golf-festival/

Lydia Ko, a member of golf’s Hall of Fame at just 27 and one of the game’s superstars, will be highly fancied to take the HSBC Women’s World Championship, which begins at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club on Thursday.

But on the eve of the event, known widely as ‘Asia’s Major,’ all anybody wanted to talk about was the Kiwi’s appearance on this month’s cover of fashion magazine, Vogue Korea.

“It was so much fun,” the wold No 3 golfer said after playing in the morning pro-am prior to the event. “It was obviously my first experience, really, of being on a fashion magazine outside of golf clothes and my hat.

“To have hair extensions, hair down, wearing amazing clothes, it was so much fun. I’m honestly not envious of the models who do this quite often. It’s a lot of work and a lot of people to make that cover shoot the way it is.

“But I was super proud and excited at the way it turned out and obviously very grateful to Vogue for giving me that opportunity. It’s literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Yeah, I had a great time,” she said “But modelling is probably not in my near future.”

Ko, who won Olympic gold in Paris last year, will be making her 11^th appearance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. She is coming off an outstanding 2024, when she won three times – the Tournament of Champions, the AIG Women’s Open and Kroger Queen City Championship.

Those wins, plus another eight top-10 finishes, saw her resume her place at the top of women’s world golf after a season or two of performances that were not up to her own high standards.

“I was most proud that I was able to overcome some of my fears and doubts,” she said. “Maybe less than a year before, I remember I was sitting with my sister and having a discussion on whether I was ever going to be in the winner’s circle again.

“It’s like, did my golf drastically change? Probably not. But what goes on between the two ears is really important, and I think that can be a big factor – not only for that round or that day, but really what’s coming up, as well.”

Cover girl Lydia Ko.

Ko has been quoted as saying she might not play on after her 30^th birthday.

“Thirty is a long way to go,” she said. “I’m 27 now. Soon turning 28. I’m just trying to honestly take it day by day. My schedule has changed. I’ve gone from thinking I was going to play 10, 15 events this year to now playing over 20.

“I will reassess during the middle of the season – like where I am with my energy levels, to me thinking, am I going to play more or less.

“It definitely doesn’t get any easier,” she said. “It’s easier in the sense that I’ve come to these kind of golf courses and I kind of know what to expect, and I’m not like a rookie getting used to these types of tournaments and courses.

“But it all builds up at the end of the day. I’m obviously very grateful for everything that I’ve gotten through the sport, and I want to play the best golf while I’m still playing, and that’s obviously the biggest goal for me right now.”

A field of 66 golfers, including nine of the world’s top 10, will tee it up on Thursday, competing for a title that has been claimed by a major winner on 14 of the 16 occasions it has been played.

Inside Golf is a media sponsor for the tournament, which will be telecast by Fox Sports.

The post Cover girl Lydia says she’ll stick with golf first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/wpga/cover-girl-lydia-says-shell-stick-with-golf/

WHENEVER Hannah Green returns to Singapore, she’s impressed anew at the quality of the beautiful Sentosa golf course, situated on the banks of the city’s spectacular harbour.

It’s the scene of one of her biggest wins – last year’s HSBC Women’s World Championship – and this year, as the defending champion, she’s greeted as she drives to the course by giant posters featuring her image.

“Yeah, my face is everywhere, in the hotel, on the golf course, in the city,” she said today. “So it’s unusual to see it everywhere but obviously it gives me a lot of confidence, and hopefully I don’t put too much added pressure onto myself.”

Green jetted into Singapore on Sunday with her husband, fellow professional golfer Jarryd Felton, who missed the cut in last week’s Webex Players Series Sydney at Castle Hill. It’s a rare opportunity for them to be together for a tournament.

On Monday she played nine holes at Sentosa – the back nine, where last year she finished birdie, birdie, birdie to win the tournament. 

“I was remembering the last three putts I made on 16, 17 and 18,” she said.” I recreated the putt on 18. This is a place that I’ve had not only a win, but some good finishes. So I’m looking forward to a title defence.”

Green obviously feels at home at Sentosa. “Every time I come here, I always say the tee boxes look like the putting greens. It’s always really well manicured,” she said.

“It’s almost like a home event. This is the same time zone as where I live and only a five-hour flight. It’s the closest LPGA event that we have to my home city.”

Green, whose last professional outing was a tied fourth in the Founders Cup in Florida in early February, said she had benefitted from a fortnight with her long-time coach Ritchie Smith in Perth.

“I was really consistent with my ball-striking in that last tournament, and that’s obviously something that you need here in Sentosa,” she said.

“Hopefully I can continue with those. I’d say the greens are a little bit trickier here. So hopefully I can hit them to the right spots and give myself some birdie opportunities.

“I just don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. You know, being a defending champion is always quite difficult. So making sure that I am just enjoying this journey, and hopefully I can hit the first tee shot in the fairway.”

Hannah Green (third from left) lines up with other golf stars in preparation for the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa, Singapore.

Standing in Green’s path is Britain’s Charley Hull, ranked No 8 in the world and making her second LPGA Tour start of the year.

“I just love playing golf,” she said. “Love playing in tournaments. Just being out on the golf course, and I’ve been working hard over the winter on my game. 

“I really like Singapore and I haven’t played in a few years. I really don’t like being away for more than two weeks on the road. So that’s why I haven’t played this one unfortunately.”

Hull, who prides herself on her fitness, won’t be short of stamina.

She flew into Singapore on Monday after a 13-hour flight from the UK. “I slept for 12 and a half hours, she said. “Got off the plane and did an 11km run. Went to sleep about 11 o’clock, got up this morning and did a 10km run, so it was quite a bit.”

The HSBC Womens World Championship, of which Inside Golf is proud to be a media partner, is an early highlight of this year’s LPGA Tour. It has been conducted 16 times and on 14 of those occasions has been taken out by a major champion. 

Played at the Tanjong course at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club, one of Asia’s most acclaimed venues, this year’s event has attracted a top-class field, including world No 2 Ruoning Yin and nine of the world’s top 10 players.

Offering prize money of US$2.5 million and often referred to as ‘Asia’s Major,’ the event will be played from Thursday to Sunday, and televised by Fox Sports.

The post Hannah sees herself a huge hope of defending her Singapore title first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/wpga/hannah-sees-herself-a-huge-hope-of-defending-her-singapore-title/

WHILE many of her rivals were competing in the Honda LPGA Thailand this week, Hannah Green has been at her Perth home, quietly preparing for her defence of the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.

Green, the world No 6 player, won the title at the Sentosa Golf Club last year, birdieing the last three holes to beat France’s Celine Boutier by a stroke.

After she tied for fourth in the Founders Cup in Florida earlier this month – just her second LPGA event for the year – Green headed home for a fortnight’s one-on-one training with coach Ritchie Smith.

Her visit allowed Green to attend the 2024 Western Australian Sports Awards, where Smith was named Coach of the Year – a fitting acknowledgement of a year in which Green won three LPGA events, and his new charge Elvis Smylie claimed the WA Open and the BMW Australian PGA Championship.

Green is pleased with her promising start to the year.

“I’ve made the trip over, so it’s nice to have had some good results, but also see what I need to work on to get ready for my title defence in Singapore,” she said.

“I’ve caught up with my coach as much as possible,” she said. “I think I needed to play a little bit more while I’m home. I felt like when you’re on the range you always hit it good. Just experience some wind or whatever it may be.

“Trying to play a little bit more before I get to Singapore was probably my goal.”

The HSBC Women’s World Championship, of which Inside Golf is a proud media partner, offers prize money of US$2.5 million and is often referred to as ‘Asia’s Major’ golf event.

The event, which has been won by a major champion in 14 of the 16 occasions it has been held, begins on Thursday and will be televised live on Fox Sports.

It has again attracted a top-class field, featuring nine of the world’s top 10 players.

They include world No 2 Ruoning Yin, from China, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, American Lilia Vu, Haeran Ryu of Korea, Ayaka Furue of Japan, Celine Boutier, and Charley Hull of England.

Joining Green are fellow Australians Minjee Lee, already the winner of 10 LPGA events, Gabi Ruffels, who had four top 10 LPGA finishes last year, LPGA Tour winner Grace Kim and Steph Kyriacou, who finished runner-up in last year’s Evian Championship. 

One of Green’s fiercest rivals will be New Zealand champion Lydia Ko, the world No 3, who has claimed 22 LPGA Tour wins, including three majors, and is making her 10^th appearance in the event.

Ko and Green, respectively 27 and 28 years of age, are among the favourites, Ko having won an Olympic gold medal, the AIG Women’s Open, and the Kroger Queen City Championship in 2024, as well as claiming a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Green, whose first LPGA victory was in the 2019 Women’s PGA Championship, went on capture the JM Eagle Championship and the BMW last year after claiming the HSBC Women’s World Championship. 

Sentosa Golf Club is one of the world’s premier golf facilities, having won titles for ‘Asia’s Best Golf Course’, ‘Asia’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ and ‘Singapore’s Best Golf Course’ in the 2024 World Golf Awards.

The post Champ chooses home to prepare for defence of Asia’s ‘major’ in Singapore first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/wpga/champ-chooses-home-to-prepare-for-defence-of-asias-major-in-singapore/

The February

issue of Inside Golf is online for your viewing pleasure.

This month:

HIDEKI
Kicks off 2025 in style

GARY PLAYER
Golf, Life and Longevity

GOLD COAST FESTIVAL OF GOLF

CELEBRITY SWINGER
John Brewster – The Angels

EQUIPMENT – WE TRIED IT
Titleist DR 2 & 3 Drivers
Callaway Elyte

TRAVEL
The NSW South Coast
Islands of Fiji
Te Arai Links NZ

… and much more!

READ ONLINE HERE

The post February 2025 Issue of Inside Golf is Online first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/read-inside-golf-online/february-2025-issue-of-inside-golf-is-online/

OUR page seven (February issue) profile on a 89-year-old Gary Player has prompted this editorial, however at the same time, it is somewhat common when someone meets one of their idols, sporting or otherwise, when it doesn’t always work out how they may have hoped.  

An old Tour colleague of mine, big cricket fan, once partnered an Australian player of note at a pro-am event. The cricketer, now deceased (and it’s not Shane Warne) spent his day in full competition mode, trying to ‘beat the pro’ when they weren’t even playing for the same prize. He was less than engaging and the experience ruined his perceptions of his sporting hero. 

I’ve worked in rugby league for a long time, and while the majority of players are knock about types and engaging with the fans when away from the spotlight, there were a few who weren’t quite what their public profile would have you believe. 

As for those golfing and sporting stars I looked up to as a young and impressionable youngster, a couple I was fortunate enough to come into contact later in life, I found engaging and personable. Others not so much. 

An experience of playing with Tom Watson at an Australian Masters was something I’ll never forget. I was on ‘Team Tom’ when he was coming down the stretch against Jack Nicklaus at Pebble Beach, before holing that chip shot at 17 to win the 1982 US Open. As a youngster I was up late at night to see him beat Jack again in that legendary Open Championship shootout at Turnberry in 1977. 

Paired up just days after the birth of my second son, Tom had done the research, found out who I was, including the fact that I had a brand new, three-day old son, and upon introducing himself – as if I didn’t know who he was – he congratulated me on the first tee. 

As the saying goes, from whatever that movie was, from there he ‘had me at hello’. Despite not having his best day on the course, Tom was nothing but a gentleman. 

In my days playing through Asia, often international stars would be attracted to the events with generous amounts of appearance money. I played either in competition or practice with a couple of major champions, with a European Order of Merit winner, and while I get it, on the course in a competitive environment the best of the best do put the game-face on, it costs nothing to be polite and respectful. Without naming names, that wasn’t always the case. 

Following a good week in Dubai back in the late ‘90s, after which you tend to meet the right people, and I was upgraded to first class for a flight to London. 

I turned left, proceeded to seat 2B and in 2A was Fred Couples. I’d watched Fred win the Masters, loved that sweet swing, from afar he appeared to be a ripper bloke and over the next five-six hours I was looking forward to hearing his golfing tales and words of wisdom. As I’d finished third in the tournament which wound up just a few hours before, Fred fourth, he had to know who I was.

While I’ve since given him the benefit of the doubt, he was probably a little weary after four days in the desert heat, probably bunkering down with a flight that was likely to continue long after arriving in London, he buried his head in a book, caught a little sleep and all I got was a nod of hello on sitting down, a goodbye and good luck after landing. I’m sure he is a lovely fella, maybe I just got him at the wrong time. 

Then there was Gary Player. In this February issue David Newbery details a meeting with Player and has penned an editorial on how he continues to embrace and enjoy life at almost 90 years of age. 

The story brought back fond memories of a chance meeting with the great South African. Early in the week of a tournament at The Vines in Perth, regular practice partner Steve Conran and I played the front nine and were wandering over to the 10th, when this little old bloke in black walked over and asked whether there was a chance of him joining us. We accepted very quickly. 

While probably in his late 60’s, his game wasn’t quite where it was when he was winning his nine majors, more than 150 tournaments around the world or his seven Australian Opens, but as they say, class is permanent. 

He talked, told a few tales, I can’t really recall but probably shamed the both of us in showing off his abs, at the same time boasting how many sit-ups he does every day, and he was brilliant company for two- and a-bit hours. 

On occasion they don’t, but sometimes your sporting heroes deliver. Gary Player certainly did. 

---

Get in touch
If you have an opinion on this or any other topic in the magazine, send your letter to the editor to rob@insidegolf.com.au and you’ll be in the running to win a gripping prize. 

The post Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. Gary Player did.  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

https://www.insidegolf.com.au/opinion/sometimes-they-do-sometimes-they-dont-gary-player-did/