Hannah Green (AUS) wins BMW Ladies Championship after thrilling finale +++ One-stroke lead over Celine Boutier (FRA) +++ 50,671 spectators attend the tournament hosted by BMW Korea +++
Seoul. The title at the BMW Ladies Championship stays in Australia. After Minjee Lee’s victory last year, her compatriot Hannah Green won the only Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour tournament in South Korea on Sunday. Green needed 269 strokes (64, 64, 70, 71, 19 under par) at the Seowon Valley Country Club, finishing with a one-shot lead over Celine Boutier from France. The 27-year-old clinched her third LPGA win this season and the sixth of her career. Despite strong competition – eight of the top ten players in the world rankings and 17 of this year’s 18 tournament winners were in the field – Green led from the first day. On Sunday, the Australian faced a brilliant closing round of 66 from Celine Boutier, but she narrowly held on to secure the victory.
“On behalf of BMW I would like to congratulate Hannah Green on a marvellous display of golf, overcoming a world-class field to win the 2024 BMW Ladies Championship,” said Sangyun Han, Director and President of BMW Group Korea. “It has been a thrilling week, and I would like to thank everyone at Seowon Valley Country Club. They have been wonderful hosts for the last two editions. Thank you also to all the tournament partners, supporters, volunteers, fans and everyone involved for contributing to this prestigious golf event.”
Green laid the foundation for her victory, which earned her $330,000, during the first two days, where she carded rounds of 64 strokes each. On Sunday, however, Green struggled for much of the day and was even par by the 17th hole, with two birdies and two bogeys. By that time, Boutier, who had started her round ahead of Green and recorded six birdies, had already caught up, but a birdie on the 17th hole (Par 4) ultimately sealed the win for Green. Third place went to Chanettee Wannasaen from Thailand (-17).
“Yeah, it was a crazy finish,” Green said. “My caddie said to me at the start of the day, ‘Let’s try and get a lead and have a bit of a cushion coming in.’ I did not do that and made it very interesting. Putting on the 17th, I was very nervous. I was hoping I would have more of a tap-in on the final green, but I like to make things interesting. Nevertheles I am super proud of myself for hanging in there because today conditions were very tough. The wind was very swirly, and I think everyone was trying to battle the wind.”
The BMW Ladies Championship, hosted by BMW Korea, was the last major BMW professional tournament of the season – but not of the year. The season opener for the 2024/25 DP World Tour for men will take place from November 21 to 25 with the inaugural BMW PGA Australian Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club (Brisbane, AUS).