Can Hannah Green End a Decade-Long Drought at the Women’s Australian Open?

Things are heating up down under at the Women's Australian Open.

An exciting newcomer in Darcey Harry leads the way as major headliners Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, and Grace Kim look to become the first Australian winners of this championship since Karrie Webb in 2014.

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With the first 18 holes in the books, Harry, who is a second-year player on the LET, sets the pace at 6-under par.

Carding five birdies, an eagle, and just one bogey—the 22-year-old Welsh player looked to be in complete control. "I was joking to my caddie and I was like, Oh, it’d be great to finish with an eagle now," Harry said after her round. "And my drive actually ended up in a divot, so I was like, ‘Oh God, okay.’ Focus, we just try and get it out and it ended up on the green and just holed that."

One thing that I've noticed about the young player from Wales is that she has incredible moments of good fortune on the golf course. Last year was Harry's rookie season on the LET and she earned her first victory as a pro on her 22nd birthday with her boyfriend on her bag. To take things to another level, that win helped to secure her spot in the AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales—her home course. Truly an epic sequence of events.

Skratch sat down with Harry ahead of her professional debut at Royal Porthcawl where she opened up about her magical win, Welsh golf culture, and more.

Women’s Australian Open, Kooyonga Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia. March 12-15. Darcey Harry of Wales during the first round. Credit: Tristan Jones/ LET

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As for the home favorites of Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, and Grace Kim there's work to be done. Green and Lee played together just had a hard time building momentum. Green, fresh off her seventh LPGA win, sits just four shots shy of Harry after her 2-under par opening round of 70. Lee kept it steady with an even par 72, and Kim struggled a bit and fired a 3-over par 75.

"It was kind of hard to read the greens today with the pin positions. A couple of them I was kind of baffled with, how bad my read was," said Green. "So it was kind of tough for us to feel confident on the greens. But all in all, pleased with a two-under-par."

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For live scores and how to watch the Women's Australian Open, click here.