Bree Elliott had to endure an “agonising” wait before tapping in for her first professional win in the US early Monday morning.
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The Yarrawonga golfer, now sporting distinctive green streaks, led from start to finish at the Fuccillo Kia Championship at Capital Hills in New York, a final round 2-under 69 giving her a one shot victory.
The win now puts the 23-year-old within reach of a card on the lucrative LPGA – main ladies tour.
Elliott phoned her family about 4am.
Dad Tony said she could barely contain her emotions.
“She has been working so hard on her game and hopefully this win is the kick start she needs,” he said.
“Bree admitted to more than a few nerves with that last putt – she rolled her first putt for birdie to about 2 feet and then marked her ball and waited for the other two girls to finish.
“She probably should have just finished but them just kept talking to herself, telling herself to just knock it in.”
Elliott said his daughter was inspired by a practice round with some of the world’s best before the US Open just a few weeks ago.
“Bree played with Michelle Wie, Stacy Lewis and Karrie Webb in front of about 2000 people and took a big step forward in self-belief and playing aggressive golf,” he said.
“They just attack the pin.
“Then when the Open started Bree missed the cut but her stats showed that on 27 of the first 36 holes she left her first putt short, she didn’t do that in New York.”
Elliott dyed her hair green before the U.S. Open.
“This green hair should be permanent, I feel like it is paying off big time,” she said.
“I’m so happy, this is what I have been working for and this is huge for me.
“This is for my family back home, I know they are going to be celebrating tonight.”
Elliott made birdie on the 16th hole to take a one-shot lead, made par on 17 and played to the middle of the green on the last. She putted first and rolled her birdie attempt pin high and just two feet from the cup.
“It was nice to hit a great shot on the last and then roll a putt up there,” she said.
“Waiting to tap in the putt was just agony but I am super pleased.”
She now sits 23rd on the secondary tour money list, the first 10 earning a direct start on the LPGA.
