Melanie Green enjoyed her dream debut at the Women's Novice Championship to win by two holes over Scotland's Lorna McClymont after a dramatic final in Portmarnock.
The 22-year-old, who became the first American to win the prestigious title since Kelli Kuehne in 1996, continued his newfound love of links golf after fighting back four back through eight holes to win the see-saw-hole 36 in the tournament. a rainy day in Ireland.
McClymont trailed by one hole before playing three, but Green showed incredible resilience to bounce back and seal the win with a 22-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
In tough conditions, McClymont – who had his mother, Gail, playing for him – settled quickly and Green's bogey at the 3rd gave the Scot an early lead. The American then couldn't escape from a serious difficulty in the 5th place and was forced to concede the pit. Green, who opted not to have a caddy, continued to struggle in the weather and found himself three down on the 6th after a birdie in the final from McClymont. Green's bogey on the 8th saw him four down and in real trouble before he made a comeback.
The 9-year-old bird, after a very good run, put a real spring in Green's step and warmed to work despite the constant rain. As the green strengthened, McClymont bogeyed four holes in a row from the 11th and lost three of them as the final suddenly returned to all-square after the 14th. McClymont fumbled at 16 allowing Green to complete his recovery and take the lead for the first time, one. -benefits hold a lunch break.
Green, a member of the USA team in next week's Arnold Palmer Cup in Lahinch, rose to the occasion when his opponent's shot found the penalty spot on the 21st. They traded blows over the next two holes before McClymont's bogey on the par-5 24th dropped him to three under.
McClymont matched the winner on the 25th and only made his second birdie of the day on the 28th to get back to one under again. Green had chances to extend the lead, notably missing a short putt on the par-5 31st, before the Scot pulled square after a superb five-footer on the 32nd.
The Scot next rolled from 15 feet for back-to-back birdies to move forward only for Green to quickly respond with a birdie at the long 34th as the crowds were treated to the finish. As the sun finally rose, McClymont bowed out on the 35th before Green's decisive birdie at the last.
The University of South Florida graduate has now secured spots for the Evian Championship and AIG Women's Open later this summer as well as the Chevron Championship and US Women's Open in 2025 thanks to her win. Green, ranked 53rdrd At the Women's World Golf Championships, she will also receive an invitation to compete in next year's Augusta National Women's Amateur.
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