United States Dominates Day One at the LPGA International Crown
In the exciting LPGA International Crown tournament, held in Goyang, South Korea, the United States team demonstrated their prowess by defeating China in two four-ball matches during the first day. The competition, which brings together the best talents in women’s golf, has begun with a high level of play and surprising results. The world number one, Jeeno Thitikul, maintained her perfect streak in the team event. Alongside her partner Pajaree Anannarukarn, from Thailand, Thitikul achieved a crucial victory against Hannah Green and Grace Kim from Australia. This victory marks the sixth consecutive for Thitikul in this competition. In another notable match, Australia’s Minjee Lee and Steph Kyriacou defeated Chanettee Wannasaen and Jasmine Suwannapura, also from Thailand, splitting the points of the inaugural day. The American team, composed of Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin, crushed China’s Liu Yan and Yin Ruoning, with a score of 5 and 4. Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin also contributed to the United States’ victory, defeating Zhang Weiwei and Liu Ruixin. The United States was the only team to win both opening matches, establishing a clear dominance in the competition. In other featured results, Charley Hull and Lydia Ko managed to tie their match against Rio Takeda and Miyu Yamashita, after a close battle. Brooke Henderson and Wei-Ling Hsu secured a victory over Ayaka Furue and Mao Saigo.The competition continues with four-ball matches on Friday and Saturday. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals and the final on Sunday, which will consist of a foursomes (alternate shot) match and two singles matches. Thitikul, who was part of the winning Thai team in 2023, is the only player in the tournament who has won the event. With six victories on the LPGA Tour, including the Mizuho Americas Open and the Shanghai tournament, Thitikul seeks to add another title to her impressive career. The LPGA’s Asian tour continues in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next week and will conclude in Shiga, Japan, from November 6th to 9th.“The only way I thought we were going to extend the match was if I holed the putt on 17,” Ko said. “At both distances, it’s not a guaranteed birdie putt at all, but I felt like I shouldn’t let the team down. Charley holed so many good birdie putts that kept the match going, and I just came along for the ride in the last two.”
Lydia Ko
