Hannah Green is targeting the world's top 50 and next year's Toyko Olympics after continuing her hot summer with a runner-up showing at the Australian Ladies Classic.
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The exciting young West Australian recovered from a horror start to Sunday's final round with four birdies in the last 10 holes for a one-under-par 71 at the Augusta-like Bonville International Golf Club at Coffs Harbour.
Green's six-under 282 total left the 22-year-old two shots shy of Norwegian winner Marianne Skarpnord in a tie for second with Spaniard Nuria Iturrios, who also closed with a 71.
Green rued finding the hazard twice on the par-5 seventh to rack up a double-bogey seven, but was nevertheless heartened to have backed up her top-10 showing at last week's Australian Open with her best finish in a co-sanctioned European Tour event.
"If that was the worst-case scenario, then of course I'll take second place," Green told AAP.
"Just four or five shots today really cost me but I'm just happy with the way I played down the stretch."
World No.132 Green hopes to parlay her sizzling summer form into a surge up the rankings in 2019.
"I want to be top 50 in the world," she said.
"I want to set myself up to then be in reach of getting into the Olympics next year.
"So it's quite a big jump but I feel like my game's good enough to get there this year."
Skarpnord carded a stylish three-under 69 on championship Sunday to emerge from a six-way share of the lead early in the final round and clinch the fourth European Tour title of her career.
The 33-year-old bogeyed the 16th but rebounded with birdies on her last two holes to claim the $70,000 winner's purse.
Sydney teenage amateur Doey Choi (72) and Swede Daniela Holmqvist (70) shared fourth spot at four under behind Green and Iturrios.
Third-round leader Madalene Sagstrom faded with a 75 in the final round to finish in a tie for sixth at three under with fellow Swede Jenny Haglund (71).
Australian Associated Press
