SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – World number one Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu, fresh off her first major triumph, lead the top-seeded United States (US) into the LPGA International Crown team event, which teed off yesterday.
TPC Harding Park hosted the fourth edition of the eight-squad event, with competing nations and four-woman rosters based upon world rankings.
Players chase a USD400,000 top prize from a USD1.6 million purse.
The Americans will be in Pool A with Sweden, England and China. Defending champion South Korea will be joined in Pool B by Japan, Thailand and Australia.
Four-ball (best ball) matches will be staged until tomorrow and the two top teams in each group advance to Sunday morning semi-finals, two singles matches and a foursomes (alternate shot) match.
Those winners meet for the title in the same format in the afternoon.
The US squad features newcomers Korda, 16th-ranked Danielle Kang and world number four Vu, who won the Chevron Championship two weeks ago, plus four-time starter Lexi Thompson, ranked seventh. Reigning Olympic champion Korda, 24, reclaimed the rankings summit after finishing third at Chevron and welcomes the chance to play for her nation once more. “I think just, whenever you can, represent your country and do something different throughout the season,” Korda said.
“You’re playing for not just yourself but three other girls and the US. I think it’s really meaningful and it’s bigger than just yourself, and I think it’s kind of nice to switch it up throughout the season. Vu is ready for the team test. “I’m so excited,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it. The course is difficult. I’ve played there before for (collegiate) regionals so I’m excited to go back there and kind of make up for what I did last time.”
Second-seeded South Korea with third-ranked Ko Jin-young, ninth-ranked Kim Hyo-joo, 12th-ranked Chun In-gee and 25th-ranked Choi Hye-jin. Chun has won three major titles and Kim has won one.
Ko has won two plus the past two HSBC Women’s World Championships in Singapore.
