Golfer Hannah Green getting back into swing of things with 13th Beach opener

Hannah Green has been working on her long-range swing.

Despite all she's accomplished already — becoming the first Australian woman since Carrie Webb in 2006 to win a major, winning a Greg Norman Medal, and representing Australia at the Olympics all before the age of 25 — the Perth-born Green knows she has plenty more to achieve.

She hopes to join fellow Aussie Minjee Lee in the top 10 this year, with her charge beginning at 13th Beach in Victoria later today.

Green is the highest-ranked player and favourite to take out the Vic Open title, but has yet to crack into that lucrative club: Her highest career rank is 13.

«I'd love to, I don't see why not,» she said.

«If I tick all my little goals, I don't see why that big goal can't be achieved. A win here would be good, it would definitely help that.»

While she has not played competitively in Australia for some time, Green is still one of the marquee players for this tournament: Her face is plastered on all the billboards along the spectacular Barwon Heads coastline.

«It's nice,» the world number 30 said.

«My first event where my face is everywhere. I haven't played a competitive tournament in Australia for a couple of years, so I'm really excited. I feel like it might put a bit of pressure on me, but it's to be expected.»

Like most Australian athletes, Green has sometimes struggled to navigate the bunkers and hazards of the COVID-19 pandemic while trying to prepare for major tournaments.

After going home to Perth for Christmas, she realised it was going to be too difficult to compete at Royal Queensland for the inaugural Australian WPGA Championship, which was won by good friend Su Oh.

«It was disappointing not to be there, but it was great to see my best friend win,» she said.

«It's