Ariya Jutanugarn made a birdie putt of 10 feet on the 17th green to give Thailand the final match at the Hanwha International Crown. It was a dagger for Team USA.
Ariya and Moriya Jtanugarn, sisters, defeated World No. Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang and No. 1 Nelly Kang are 1 up after birdies on the last two holes. The second point Thailand required to qualify for Sunday’s final against Australia at TPC harding Park in San Francisco was achieved. The Crown is now in its 4th edition and neither of the finalist has ever won it.
In the consolation game, the U.S. takes on Sweden.
CLUTCH
Ariya Jutanugarn leads Thailand by 1 up heading into the 18th hole
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Former No. Atthaya Thtikul defeated Lexi Thompson in singles by a score of 3 to 2. Lilia Vu scored the lone point for Team USA by defeating UCLA Bruin Patty Tavatanakit and Chevron Champion Patty Tavatanakit 1 to 1. This was the only match Thailand lost all week.
Two singles matches, and one foursomes game, will be played in the semi-finals and finals. The players decide the lineups as there are no captains.
Anna Nordqvist – a three time major champion and Solheim Cup veteran – played a flawless round of golf on Saturday at Crown but lost to Stephanie Kyriacou (No. 118th in the world in singles semifinals. 4 and 3. The match play is always full of surprises.
Kyriacou said, “I play best when I am aggressive. And in match play there is only one opponent to beat so the pressure is not as great.” But I did play pretty aggressively all day. “All week, in fact.”
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Sarah Kemp, a veteran Australian soccer player, was not surprised by the team’s victory in Sweden.
Kemp said, “Not in an arrogant way. Just because of how we treat each other and our team from the start.” We have had breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even had lunch together. It’s been a great team effort, as you can tell by the results on the course.
Hannah Green, the winner of the LPGA tournament exactly a week ago, beat Caroline Hedwall in singles competition by a score of 3 to 2. Kemp and Minjee Lee defeated Madelene Sagstrom in foursomes.
Nordqvist said, “I believe we should be proud.” “We have one more match to play for third place.” It was not the morning we had hoped, but Australia did a great job, so there isn’t much else you can do.
Sagstrom felt that, as he looked ahead to the Solheim Cup this year in Spain, it was an important week for Stark.
“We knew her game was great,” said Sagstrom. This is her first professional team event, so I was happy to take her under my wings and help her out with any experience that I had. She played amazing.”
