Full Breakdown
U.S. Team Dominates Day 1 of LPGA International Crown in South Korea
10/24/2025, 12:34:00 PM
Opening Matches Overview
The United States women's golf team commenced their campaign at the LPGA's Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown tournament with a strong performance, winning both of their fourball matches against China on October 23, 2025. Competing at the New Korea Country Club in Goyang, South Korea, the U.S. team secured victories through Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin, who triumphed over China's Yan Liu and Ruoning Yin with a score of 5 and 4. Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin also clinched a close match, defeating Weiwei Zhang and Liu Ruixin 1 up.
Tournament Format and Pool Structure
The International Crown features eight teams divided into two pools. Pool A consists of the United States, China, Australia, and Thailand, while Pool B includes South Korea, Japan, Sweden, and a World team composed of players from various countries. Each match win is worth one point, with half a point awarded for ties. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals and finals scheduled for October 26, 2025.
U.S. Team's Performance
The U.S. team, led by the absence of World No. 2 Nelly Korda due to injury, demonstrated resilience and skill. Their flawless start positioned them at the top of Pool A with four points after winning both matches on the first day. The Americans' performance was highlighted by Noh and Yin's commanding victory, which marked the first loss for Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul in the tournament's history after six consecutive wins.
Competitors' Results
In other matches, Thailand split their matches against Australia, with Thitikul and partner Pajaree Anannarukarn winning one match but losing another. The World team, featuring notable players like Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson, also performed well, securing 1.5 points against Japan. South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim and Hye-Jin Choi achieved a victory over Sweden, contributing to their total of 1.5 points in Pool B.
Official Statements & Responses
Lilia Vu remarked on the team's synergy, stating, "We ham and egged really well today," reflecting the collaborative spirit among the players. Meanwhile, Jeeno Thitikul acknowledged the challenge posed by the U.S. team, saying, "They're tough to beat."
Upcoming Matches
The tournament will continue with additional fourball matches scheduled for October 24 and 25, 2025. The U.S. team is set to face Thailand in their next match, while South Korea will compete against the World team. The outcomes of these matches will be crucial in determining which teams advance to the knockout stages.
Conclusion
The U.S. team's strong start at the International Crown sets a competitive tone for the remainder of the tournament. With their current momentum, they aim to reclaim the title after narrowly missing out in 2023. The upcoming matches will be pivotal as teams vie for a spot in the semifinals and finals, promising an exciting continuation of the event.
