The 2023 Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown saw Team Thailand enjoy a near perfect week, losing only one match in four days.
Former World No. Ariya Jutanugarn closed out the final match on Sunday against Australia, an appropriate end for the dominant foursome who went 11-1-0 in San Francisco at TPC Harding.
Ariya Jutanugarn is currently ranked No. Ariya Jutanugarn, currently No. She was confident and putted beautifully, as the sisters went undefeated both in four-ball and 4somes.
Thailand was seeded at No. The final match, which consisted of two singles matches and a foursomes match for the first time in event history, saw Thailand, seeded No. The final match consisted of 2 singles matches, and for the first ever in the history of the event, 1 foursomes match. This was the first time that these two countries advanced to the crown’s finals.
Patty Tavatanakit beat Hannah Green of Australia 4-3, while Atthaya Thtikul smashed Stephanie Kyriacou 4-2. The Jutanugarn Sisters birdied four consecutive hole in alternate shot to gain control of the game.
Patty Tavatanakit said, “I was one those kids.” “I looked up the Jutanugarn sisters, and to have been able to join them in playing this week was a dream and an honor.
I’m so excited about the future of golf in Thailand.
Ariya’s confidence and ability to strip it makes the game more enjoyable. pic.twitter.com/tunU5UMS17
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) May 7, 2023
Ariya Jutanugarn won the inaugural MVP Award. Two years ago, the Jutanugarns last won an LPGA event at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.
Atthaya, the 20-year-old youngest member of the team, was the only one who entered the competition in top form. This week could be the catalyst for the team to return to the winners’ circle. Thailand defeated Team USA to reach the final.
Ariya said, “We’ve waited for this since 2014.” “And finally, we got what we waited for.”
The best place Australia had finished in the 2018 event was sixth.
Team USA won the third place in the consolation round with a 2-1 win over Sweden. Lexi Thompson beat Maja Stark in singles and 3 and 2, while Danielle Kang/Nelly Kodra duo defeated Anna Nordqvist/Carolina Hedwall. Madelene Sagstrom earned Sweden a point by beating Lilia Vu in 5 and 4 sets.
Thompson said that “team events like these” bring us a larger fan base. I think the fans enjoy it and there is a lot of energy and cheering out here. “We had a big crowd today.”
The Crown was played for the first time in 2018. It is a biennial event. The venue for 2025 has not yet been announced.
The $2 million purse represents unofficial money. Thailand is the winner of $500,000 or $125,000 for each player.
