Goyang: The fourth-seeded Australian team emerged victorious against the top-seeded United States in the International Crown, held in South Korea on Sunday, securing their first title at the biennial LPGA match-play event. The Australians clinched the final with a 2 1/2-1/2 win at the New Korea Country Club, located on the northwestern outskirts of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this marks the fifth edition of the International Crown, with Australia's victory contributing to the tournament's record of having five different champions. The event's previous winners include Spain, the United States, South Korea, and Thailand.
In the decisive final, Australia won both singles matches and tied in the foursome match, where two golfers per side alternated shots until the hole was completed. Minjee Lee secured a win against Angel Yin, finishing 2 and 1 in her singles match. The contest remained tight, with Lee and Yin exchanging leads through strategic birdies until Lee sealed her victory by saving par on the 17th hole while Yin faltered with a bogey.
Hannah Green clinched the title for Australia by defeating Yealimi Noh, also with a score of 2 and 1 in their singles match. Green's consistent birdies early in the game established a lead that Noh was unable to overcome, despite her efforts to narrow the gap.
In the foursome match, Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim earned a half-point for Australia with a tie against the U.S. pair Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin. The U.S. initially took a lead but the match ended in a draw as Australia secured a decisive victory in the singles matches.
Minjee Lee, known for her three LPGA major titles, was named the tournament's MVP. Reflecting on the win, Lee expressed her excitement about achieving the victory alongside her teammates, highlighting their perseverance and resilience throughout the competition.
Stephanie Kyriacou noted the strong camaraderie among the Australian players, attributing their success to the team bonding both on and off the golf course. This unity was evident in their decisive performance throughout the event.
The International Crown featured a diverse lineup of teams from seven countries, including Australia, the United States, Thailand, China, Japan, Sweden, and host South Korea, along with a World Team composed of players from other nations. The top four players based on world rankings were selected, although there were some withdrawals due to injuries earlier in the month.
Teams were divided into Pools A and B, with the top two from each pool advancing to the semifinals. Notably, South Korea finished third in Pool B, missing out on the semifinals for the second consecutive International Crown.