JM EAGLE LA CHAMPIONSHIP

April 19, 2026

Hannah Green

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, pleased to be joined by now three-time JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro winner Hannah Green. Just first things first, walk us through the range of emotions. At what point did you find yourself into this tournament? You came storming back on the back nine.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I think when Sei Young holed out on 11 that's kind of when I thought it was probably going to be over. I made a birdie on that hole and then I think made a par on the next, and that's when I got hot and made four birdies in a row.

You just never know on this golf course. There is opportunities to make birdies, but sometimes it's hard to make pars. So, yeah, I just had to stay patient and I think kind of -- after she had made eagle I kind of in my mindset I was like, well, I have nothing really to lose. Here I am so far behind.

Yeah, I guess just patience and perseverance on that back nine.

Q. You made the joke earlier in the week you love paying sun taxes in California. The Wangs put up an extra $1 million so you're going to be paying a little bit more taxes here. Can you just talk about what that they've meant to this tournament and women's golf over all. We spoke about it earlier this week, but it just can't be reiterated enough.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, no, absolutely. I think I said yesterday they have been the trendsetters. Everyone wants to elevate their tournament. Not only do they put up the purses, they give us more benefits throughout the week, whether it's a rental car, housing, shuttles, having really good dining perks for caddies. They kind of think of all of that.

It's nice obvious that they think about the purse, but they also think about the people that perhaps are struggling to keep up with the money as well.

So giving it to all of us is really helpful and hopefully motivates other tournaments to actually want to contribute and keep elevating women's golf.

Q. You have a good community here in LA with your host family coming out and supporting you. Does it just kind of help you a little bit with the comfortability of being here and just feeling more comfortable at this event than some others?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I think so. My host dad, Tom, he's very passionate about my golf, so it's very easy to hear him on the golf course. When I look at some of my highlight reels you can hear him screaming in the back, which is hilarious.

I obviously don't get that all the time playing in the States, and sometimes not even when I play in Australia. It's nice to have him supporting me. I was really fortunate to have both Tom and Carrie out watching today. I kind of said they need to come back for U.S. Open, which is obviously in a couple months' time.

Yeah, very cool. I stayed with them in 2018 before I ever won any LPGA tournaments, so it's nice to have such a long relationship with them. Wilshire is a little bit far to stay with them for this week, but for them to make the trip out was really nice.

Q. You dropped an F-bomb with Jeremy when you found out raised the purse, and that was before you knew you were going to win. What do you say now about $712,000 that you just won?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, it's amazing. I mean, obviously the start of the year has been kind of crazy for me winning back in Australia and already have won in Singapore. Yeah, to have that I guess go into my bank account, not all of it with taxes, and being an alien from the U.S., but, yeah, no, it's amazing.

It's going to be really hard to come back down to earth next week, so it's going to be my next challenge. I'm going to be on a flight tonight to Houston, so I don't know if I'm get much rest. Obviously on Cloud 9 right now but I will have to stay a little bit more humble for next week.

Q. What is it like to be you playing golf right now having won four times this year already?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, you know, I was quite upset with Vegas. Felt like I really wanted have a good week that week that. That tournament plays like a major championship and I actually felt like I played better than the score reflected. I definitely hit some poor shots, but I also felt like I hit some good shots that perhaps didn't get rewarded.

Last week I was back in Fort Worth at my home club there and just practiced, had a bit of fun, played with a couple other girls on Tour and just didn't really think about it too much. I knew coming into JM Eagle that I was feeling comfortable with my game and obviously I had a good result here last year.

So I just, yeah, putting around this golf course is kind of the key thing. I think all of us players hit it straight enough and hit enough greens. It's just whoever usually putts the best. So I felt like, yeah, I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself, especially kind of those first nine holes. I think I kind of did. I was getting a little bit frustrated that my score wasn't better than what it was.

Yeah, I think because I felt like I was out of the tournament I kind of changed my mindset and was actually able to make some birdies. Yeah, it was kind of a crazy day.

Q. I think people were joking with you the last couple years ago you must have been the most disappointed person since you won back to back at Wilshire; now you've won here. Now where would you like the tournament next year?

HANNAH GREEN: I mean, anywhere in California seems quite nice to me. Even when we played in San Francisco I had some good results up there.

Yeah, El Cab is a really good venue. The members, the staff, everyone have really made us feel like it's a true championship tournament.

So, yeah, I don't know where it is next year. I guess we'll hopefully find that out soon. I think it will stay in LA, so that will be really nice.

Q. After you hit your approach shot on the first hole of the playoff and you were kind of walking up they showed you on TV and it looked like a little smile came across your face. Guessing because that was similar to the one you had at the end of regulation and felt pretty confident about it coming back in.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I guess I didn't realize how jacked up I was because the club, or the ball landed further than I thought it would on the green. Yeah, I did laugh when I saw it was pretty much the exact same read as what I had. It was still a tough putt to make. Had to have the right pace with the line that you decide to choose.

I felt like I have a lot of moments where I do make lots of clutch putts, so I kind of felt somewhat confident. I think if I had maybe a six-footer, the putts that you expect to make, I probably would've felt more nervous putting.

Yeah, it was just I guess what Hannah does: Makes thing really interesting. Poor Dave probably had a heart attack. Yeah, just making sure that everyone knows that's what I do. That's pretty much it.

Q. Conversely, the putt on 16 for eagle, how disappointed were you with that particular effort?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, it was definitely not one of my best strokes. I was nervous over that putt because I felt like I really needed to make it to be in the tournament. I was a bit disappointed when that didn't go in.

I still made a birdie and still got one shot back. On the next hole I was kind of in between whether to hit a 9-iron on 8-iron, and glad I went with a club that was going to go long of the hole because I feel like leaving it short of that green would've been a tougher two putt.

I guess I got fortunate that someone else unfortunately made a bogey. Yeah, it was nice to walk up the last hole knowing I just needed to make par to get into the playoff. That pin was tucked in the left side so it wasn't easy to land it there and keep it close. It was quite tough. I don't know if there would've been many birdies on that hole.

Yeah, it was nice to be able to make that putt.

Q. When you left the media center last night you talked about thinking you were probably going to be fairly far behind coming into today. Then obviously turned out not. How quickly did the mindset change? Going into today's round in the last group, and getting off to kind of a slow start, how do you hold yourself together and not get too down and just stay the course?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I hope I didn't jinx Sei Young because I did think she was on a run. Yeah, she made a good birdie on the first hole. I then made a birdie on the second hole. Felt like a little bit of match play.

Then we kind of both dropped off. It was hard to get to some of the pins they had on those particular holes. So, yeah, I felt like when I made the bogey on the par-3 we both three putted; that was kind of not a great move.

Then also seven we both made par, the par-5. So I don't think there was a leaderboard until perhaps nine so I kind of saw that I was still within reach. I still needed a very good back nine.

So, yeah, again when she made the eagle on 11 I thought it was game over. I thought I hit a good chip shot there and had a tap-in for birdie and she goes in and holes it.

But, yeah, it was somewhat of a match play probably the last few holes. I don't know if she felt that way, but it's kind of hard to not get caught up in what someone else is doing. Seeing players make putts makes the hole look a little bit bigger sometimes and also makes it a little bit smaller.

I just had to try my best to focus on what I was doing.

Q. When you go through a stretch early in a round or at any point, when things just -- can't seem to get any momentum, how hard is it to not get maybe too aggressive and push a little too hard to start making things happen?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, it's one of the hardest things. Sometimes it's easier at certain places than it is other weeks. It's probably something all of us are still trying to figure out on a week-to-week basis. I don't know if it's just feeling confident out here.

Obviously I have had three other wins this season so I feel like I can kind of use perhaps those moments for when things felt tough or felt like I was pushing too hard to then bring it back.

But when it's such a low-scoring event it's hard to not get caught up in what other players are doing. If you have to make pars it's a little bit easier, but when you have to make birdies it's a little bit tougher.

Yeah, it was -- I am a leaderboard watcher, so I do like to know what's going on. I did ask my caddie, Dave, on the last, did Jin Hee finish at 17 or on that number?

So, yeah, it's hard to not get caught up. Sometimes I think you exert energy also not knowing, so I like to look usually.

Q. This is your second three-way playoff that you won in this tournament, right?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah.

Q. Is there a different feel if it's you and just one other person or is it in a way a little easier...

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I think I've been lucky with both of playoffs that I've been in the last group so I'm probably the most fresh into not having to wait around a little bit.

Whether that really plays a contributing factor I guess I'm not really sure. I do feel like that's sometimes the benefit. I feel like Jin Hee probably had a little bit of time and then I guess thinking about what all could happen. I was kind of like, all right, go to the bath room and go straight out there and play golf again.

Yeah, playoffs are definitely interesting. I felt like I was still nervous and still had the confidence compared to probably the last hole in regulation. Yeah, it's a tricky one and I'm, yeah, very fortunate that I'm on the positive end of a playoff.

Q. I spoke to Adam Scott a few times about winning at Riv twice. He talked about how the grass is very similar to back home. Do you feel the same?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I played Riviera probably back in 2021 for a pro-am so it's been a while since I was there. Yeah. Kikuyu grass is pretty much what most of the courses in Western Australia have, so very familiar with that.

And I really loved being in Riviera. It's such a cool place. So I am really looking forward to U.S. Open. I really hope that we can have big crowds out there.

The Olympics is also on my mind. I would love to compete again for Australia in 2028. The more rounds I can get around Riviera the better.

Q. Does it suit your game? Those little greens, right?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, they are little, that's for sure. I don't know. Some of the girls decided to play before coming here to El Cab and I decided not to do that because I felt like it was a little bit too early to kind of see the golf course.

But people were asking me whether they will have the rough up. To be honest I have no idea. Typical U.S. Opens are probably thicker than regular events, but still don't know if they'll be as thick as what the men play when they play at Riv.

Yeah, depending on how thick it can be it will be obviously tough with the approach shots, so that will be a week where you want to play boring golf. I wouldn't be surprised if the winning score isn't in double digits.

Q. How far was the putt in the playoff to win?

HANNAH GREEN: Probably like 30 feet. Sorry in the playoff? Maybe 20 feet, yeah.

Q. And 30 in regulation.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, further in regulation.

Q. That approach shot doesn't look like an easy approach shot to hit. What was your mindset both times in terms of how close did you think you could get?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I actually wanted to try and hit it a bit shorter into the right side because I knew that would give me more of a straight uphill putt.

Again, I like to make things interesting and I pulled it a little bit so it went a little bit further. I'm kind of surprise the it stayed on the green, the one in regulation. I felt like it did get close to going long and then came 6back.

So, yeah, again with the second -- first playoff hole I didn't really want to hit it there. Just I felt like I had to kind of go for it. I say Sei Young get a little bit caught up and went to the right. Even though she probably had a straighter putt she still was a bit disappointed with the shot.

Yeah, felt like I had to be aggressive and also didn't want to have to keep playing 18 again. I was like, okay, I knew it was going to cover the water and still knew it was a tough shot to spin to get close to the hole.

Q. Third win. I've been lucky enough to see you win live three times, so it's amazing. When it comes down to playing in a playoff, obviously you went through the highs and lows we already talked about the round. You started kind of leading in the final group and then fell back. Then kind of got your groove. I got to talk to your caddie about how he helped you manage. He was it was all Hannah. I really just carried the bag. She was just in the zone. Walk me through that. How does that feel when you're about to try to win the tournament for the third time?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, it's definitely a team effort, but I feel like I am usually pretty calm on the outside. People always say how do you not look nervous. There is definitely internal nerves. I felt like I wouldn't be a professional golfer if I didn't experience those. But again, I think the mindset shifting from being disappointed with making pars to being like, well, I need -- I feel like I'm out of this tournament. What's the point of putting so much pressure on myself?

So I managed to hit some shots close, so that's always helpful. I had a couple really key putts to make those birdies and the hole all of a sudden felt bigger again. Yeah, golf is so tricky in that sense.

Yes, at the end of the day I am the player that's hitting the shot but there is definitely help from caddies and even people outside the ropes. My host dad, the reason why he screams so loud is because it makes me laugh. Obviously laughing on the course is always a good thing. Yeah, it's interesting golf that's for sure.

Q. And about your equipment, you are a long time ambassador for Srixon. What ball do you play and have you had any major changes? Srixon has been making a lot of loud moves and you're obviously part of it. Walk me throughout inside of what is in your bag.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, so I've been with Srixon for over 15 years now I feel. They were the first club that actually sponsored me back when I was an amateur so I feel very comfortable with all their gear. I actually got some new wedges this week, which was nice to get them worn before next week in Houston.

I haven't really changed anything too much. I don't really know why, but last year I felt like my irons were quite comfortable, but I got a new set for this season but didn't put them in play straightaway. This was actually the first week I did put the new set in. Shohei, our rep on the LPGA, checked them all for me, and it was actually really nice to look at cleaner face than one that had a little bit of a wear mark this week.

But, yeah, I've been playing with them for so long and there is actually a lot more staffers now using Srixon and there are a lot more players that aren't even staffers using them. They make really irons. The sweet spot is really big. That's why I like them.

Q. What ball do you play?

HANNAH GREEN: The Z-STAR Diamond, yeah.

Q. I was going ask about Tom and your fans, but that's been covered. So funny to see them following you. Have to come up with new questions. This season has been so successful. What do you do in the offseason that you feel or you're seeing the difference now because of that?

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, I took more time off than probably usual. In November after CME I went back to Australia. One of my best friends got married and a week later had to go to Hawai'i for a sponsor's outing. It was beautiful and I played golf. It was a lot of fun playing casually.

Soon as I got back I decided to put the clubs away and I probably took four, five weeks off, which sometimes I think is a really good thing to do. Some players find it probably more difficult than others. For me I can entertain myself pretty well, especially when I'm home since I don't get the opportunity throughout the season.

So December, January is always a busy period, Christmas, New Year, couple birthdays in there. I think I that really helped with my motivation to get back into training.

Over the offseason I was still in the gym. Got back into boxing, so something just different because I feel like as golfers you can't pick up too many new habits. That was nice to pick up and help with cardio because I hate doing it. I feel like walking is enough.

Yeah, it was just really nice to be home. I decided to not play Tournament of Champions and gave myself more time to get ready for Thailand and Singapore. I think because I had spent so much time at home I was just really motivated to get out there. They're places I had success, which happens to be a lot of reasons why I play well.

So, yeah, it was just really nice to be at home. I've got a couple more tournaments here in the States before I go home and then I'll be back for U.S. Open onwards.

It's tough being from Australia. You kind of have to sacrifice some events to then go back. I really think that was a key part to having the success so far this year.

Q. As far as caddies, Husband three, Dave one. Any competition there?

HANNAH GREEN: I hope they don't feel like it's a competition. No, but yeah, yeah, winning is obviously great. Yeah, no, no. I'm really glad that Dave and I have been able to have a win, because he copped it a lot in Vegas, so now he can give it back to everyone that gave him shit.

Q. Is there a common denominator between your two caddies?

HANNAH GREEN: No. I think they're both pretty laid back on the golf course. I hope I'm not too hard to work for. Maybe don't ask them that question. That's funny.

Q. What is it like playing the way you are and having the four wins? Your thoughts on how that sets you up going into the first major of the year.

HANNAH GREEN: Yeah, unfortunately my success rate has been that I do miss the cut before I have a successful week. I'm hoping that I can break that chain.

Carlton Woods was a great venue but I didn't have much success there. Memorial Park will hopefully do me good mentally. I also am coming into the first major of the year probably the most confident I have been in my own game.

I'm really looking forward to it. It is going to be hard traveling tonight, getting in tomorrow. My head will probably be quite big still, so I feel like I need to bring myself back down to earth. The week after Houston I'm not playing, so I think maybe I will try and celebrate this win then.

We all still have to peak for next week, and so I just want to make sure I'm not too tired after doing this stuff, even though I love talking to you all. It sometimes can be a bit more tiring than when you're not winning tournaments. Yeah, just trying to take it easy tomorrow. Go out and walk the course instead of playing. Super excited for next week.