Hannah Green defended her JM Eagle LA Championship title at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Green, who won the tournament last year after a three-way play-off, earned a more comfortable three-stroke victory this time after firing a five-under 66, her lowest round of the week, to finish on 12 under.
She separated from the pack by holing an eagle and three birdies between the 12th and 16th holes for a back-nine 31.
Only one player was within five shots of Green, with Sweden’s Maja Stark finishing birdie-birdie for a 68 to move to nine under.
Green earned her fifth LPGA Tour win and her second since March.
"It’s really kind to me," Green said of the course on the Golf Channel broadcast. "I felt like a couple times today, I almost got like a member bounce. I’m obviously really fond of the golf club and I joked and said that they didn’t actually approve it with me that they’re making alterations."
Green chipped in for birdie on the 12th to extend her narrow lead before making a short birdie putt one hole later.
She proceeded to drain an eagle putt from just off the par-five 15th green, followed by one last birdie to remove any doubt.
"I think when I chipped in on 12, I kind of felt like I really snagged one there," Green said. "I think when I made eagle on 15 I kind of sealed the deal. I did see that Maja got it to nine under, so I knew what I needed to do."
Green began the day tied for the lead with fellow Australian Grace Kim, but Kim turned in a six-over 77 and dropped to a tie for 25th at one under.
South Korea’s Haeran Ryu shot a 69 and placed third at six under. South Koreans Jin Young Ko (67) and Jin Hee Im (72) were tied for fourth at five under.
Stephanie Meadow finished 14 shots behind the winner on two over after a closing 68.
This was the first LPGA event since 10 March won by someone other than Nelly Korda. Korda won her past five straight starts, including four tournaments in a row, before withdrawing from this one at the beginning of the week to rest and recharge.
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