Thailand moved atop Pool A with a pair of wins on Friday over Taiwan, who were unable to sustain the momentum they generated with twin wins over the US a day earlier in the LPGA International Crown event.
Moriya Jutanugarn and younger sister Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand teamed to beat Candie Kung and Teresa Lu 3 and 2. The Jutanugarns took the lead with birdies on the par-4 first and did not lose a hole all day.
Thailand’s other tandem, Pornanong Phatlum and Onnarin Sattayabanphot, beat Yani Tseng and Teresa Lu 1-up with a birdie on the 18th hole.
Photo: AFP
Next up for Thailand is the US.
“We’re probably going to try to keep the same confidence like today, and then just go have fun,” Sattayabanphot said. “Let’s see how it goes.”
A switch in pairings led to a change in fortune for the US.
Photo: AFP
Coming off the dismal showing in the opening round, the US shuffled their lineup and got the desired result, beating Spain twice to earn their first points in the eight-country competition.
Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr took control on the back nine against Belen Mozo and Beatriz Recari in a 3-and-2 win, and Paula Creamer and Stacy Lewis held on to beat Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda 2-up.
One day earlier, the top-seeded US lost twice to Taiwan and were the only country without a point. The Americans traded partners on Friday and the new pairings proved to be far more productive.
“Obviously, we made the right decision,” Creamer said. “We felt comfortable.”
The Kerr-Thompson pairing won holes 10-12 to go 3 up, and Creamer-Lewis took the lead for good by winning No. 7 before adding to their advantage on Nos. 9 and 11.
“I thought Lexi and I had a lot of chemistry out there together,” Kerr said. “We played with a lot of heart for each other.”
Munoz and Ciganda got to 1 down heading to 18 before both landed shots in a bunker, and they ended up conceding the hole.
Thailand lead Pool A with five points, followed by Taiwan and the US with four points apiece and Spain with three.
Japan stand atop Pool B with six points. South Korea have four points, and Sweden and Australia have three each.
In the final day of better-ball play yesterday, the US were to face Thailand, and Spain were to play Taiwan. In Pool B, Sweden were to face Australia, and South Korea were paired with Japan.
The top two teams in each pool, along with the winner of a playoff between the third-placed teams, are to compete in singles matches today for the inaugural International Crown title.
In Pool B, Japan’s Ai Miyazato and Sakura Yokomine rallied from six holes down with seven to play to halve with Katherine Kirk and Lindsey Wright of Australia. The comeback ended with Japan capturing the final three holes.
“It feels amazing right now,” Miyazato said. “Until 12 holes, I and Sakura just felt like today was Australia’s day. We tried to accept the results, and said that every extra hole is just a bonus.”
The tide turned after Australia were put on the clock on the 12th hole.
“We lost our timing and that was pretty much it,” Wright said. “It was just awful.”
Japan’s other duo, Mamiko Higa and Mika Miyazato, beat 18-year-old amateur Minjee Lee and 40-year-old Karrie Webb 3 and 2.
Sweden split with South Korea. Caroline Hedwall and Anna Nordqvist beat South Korea’s Inbee Park and So Yeon-ryu 1-up, and Choi Na-yeon teamed with I.K. Kim to edge Pernilla Linberg and Mikaela Parmlid 1-up.
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