Lee fired a two-under-par 70 on Thursday to be just two shots behind South Korean leader A Lim Kim in a tie for third at the LPGA Tour’s $US2.4 million ($A3.8 million) event at Sentosa Golf Club.
Her face everywhere, Green arrived feeling right at home and ready to defend her title and hopefully launch an even better season than her stellar 2024.
Alas, Green could only manage a three-over 75 to be tied for 38th in the star-studded 66-player field who assembled at women’s golf’s so-called “Major of Asia”.
The Perth ace teed off with fond memories and feeling good vibes after notching birdies on the last three holes last year to snatch victory from Celine Boutier and become only the fifth Australian to win five times on the LPGA tour.
“Yeah, my face is everywhere – in the hotel, on the golf course, in the city. So it’s unusual to see it everywhere but obviously gives me a lot of confidence, and hopefully I don’t put too much added pressure on to myself,” Green said before the round.
“But 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.”
The 28-year-old has recent experience going back to back.
In addition to saluting in Singapore last March, Green successfully defended her LA Championship in May before clinching a third title of the year with another one-shot triumph over Boutier in the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea in October.
No wonder she has lofty ambitions for 2025.
“Most players have goals throughout the year and because I did achieve winning three tournaments, it’s hard to then reset,” Green said.
“So I guess another thing that I’ve been thinking about with my coach is obviously where my world ranking is and, realistically, with Nelly (Korda) winning as many times (eight) as she did last year, I don’t think I can achieve No.1 unless I win the same amount of times.
“Would love to get to world No.2, world No.3. It is hard to back up a successful year.
“Don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. But it does bring a lot of confidence coming to events that you’ve played well at before.”
Green is playing the first two rounds this week with Thailand’s world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and New Zealand superstar Lydia Ko.
Thitikul and Ko are both three shots off the pace, and two behind England’s Charley Hull, who opened with a three-under 69.
“It’s almost like a home event. This is the same time zone as where I live and only a five-hour flight,” Green said.
“It’s the closest LPGA that we have to my home city so there’s lots of people that come from Perth that travel up and my husband is also here this week, which is nice. There’s lots of good memories.”
The other three Australians in the field all but shot themselves out of contention, even considering it’s a no-cut tournament.
Grace Kim carded a 78 to be 10 shots off the pace, Gabriela Ruffels an 80 and Steph Kyriacou an 82 to be propping up the field.
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