On a thrilling first day of the LPGA International Crown in Goyang, South Korea, Team USA emerged as the only squad to sweep their fourball matches against China, underscored by a stellar performance from World No. 1-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, who kept her perfect tournament record intact for Thailand.
The highly anticipated LPGA International Crown tournament kicked off Thursday in Goyang, South Korea, with Team USA immediately establishing itself as a formidable force. The American contingent was the sole team to win both of its opening fourball matches, showcasing early dominance in the team event.
USA’s Unblemished Start
The American team demonstrated strong chemistry and execution, securing crucial points against China. The pairing of Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin delivered a convincing 5 and 4 victory over Yan Liu and Ruoning Yin. Later, Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin closed out their match against Weiwei Zhang and Ruixin Liu with a 1-up win, solidifying the USA’s perfect 2-0 record on Day 1.
Thitikul’s Reign Continues
While the U.S. captured maximum points, the spotlight also shone brightly on Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, the current World No. 1-ranked player. Partnering with Pajaree Anannarukarn, Thitikul secured a 1-up victory against Australia’s Hannah Green and Grace Kim at the New Korea Country Club. This win marked Thitikul’s sixth consecutive individual victory at the team competition, a testament to her consistent excellence. Thitikul’s dominant season includes wins at the Mizuho Americas Open and the Shanghai tournament, underscoring her top form coming into this event.
Thailand’s other pairing, Chanettee Wannasaen and Jasmine Suwannapura, fell 2-up to Australia’s Minjee Lee and Steph Kyriacou, resulting in a split of points between Thailand and Australia on the opening day.
Dramatic Ties and Rallies
The International Crown is renowned for its thrilling match play, and Day 1 certainly delivered. In Pool B, Japan initially held leads in both fourball matches against the World Team. However, Charley Hull and Lydia Ko staged a remarkable comeback, with Ko burying a clutch 25-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th to tie their match against Rio Takeda and Miyu Yamashita. Ko reflected on the pivotal moment, stating, “The only way I thought we were going to extend the match was for me to hole the putt on 17. At both our lengths, 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 for the ride for the last two.”
The World Team continued to fight, as Brooke Henderson and Wei-Ling Hsu rallied for a 2 and 1 win over Ayaka Furue and Mao Saigo, ultimately securing 1.5 points for the World Team against Japan.
Host Nation and Tournament Format
Host nation South Korea also had a solid start, earning 1.5 points. Hyo Joo Kim and Hye-Jin Choi defeated Sweden’s Maja Stark and Linn Grant 3 and 2. Their teammates, Jin Young Ko and Haeran Ryu, finished tied with Ingrid Lindblad and Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden.
The tournament format pits seven countries and a unique “Rest of the World” team against each other across two pools. Pool A consists of the U.S., China, Australia, and Thailand, while Pool B features South Korea, the World Team, Japan, and Sweden. The teams and their players are determined by the women’s world ranking, with the addition of the World Team allowing top players like New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Canada’s Brooke Henderson to participate.
Looking Ahead: Semifinals and Finals Structure
Fourball matches will continue on Friday and Saturday, setting the stage for the crucial knockout rounds. The top two countries from each pool will advance to Sunday’s semifinals and finals. These final rounds will consist of a dynamic mix of one foursomes (alternate shot) match and two singles matches, promising intense competition as teams vie for the prestigious International Crown.
Thitikul is a veteran of this event, having been a member of the Thai team that won the International Crown in 2023 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, making her the only player in the current field to have previously lifted the trophy. Her track record suggests she remains a key player to watch throughout the competition.
LPGA’s Asian Swing Continues
The International Crown is a highlight of the LPGA’s ongoing Asian swing. Just last week, Sei Young Kim won the BMW Ladies Championship, also held in South Korea. Following this event, the tour will move to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, next week, before concluding its Asian leg in Shiga, Japan, from November 6-9.
