Star sisters ready to battle Japan
Thailand, led by sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, will meet Japan in their opening Pool B match of the UL International Crown in Incheon, South Korea, today.
In today’s other Pool B match, defending champions USA take on Sweden at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.
In Pool A, South Korea are up against Taiwan and England face Australia in the third edition of the LPGA Tour’s biennial team tournament.
After three days of fourballs, the top two teams from each pool and one wildcard team progress to the singles event on Sunday with the team collecting the most points over the four days taking the title.
Teams get two points for a win and one if the match is halved.
Each team has four players with Thailand featuring two-time major champion Ariya, Moriya, Pornanong Phatlum and Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong.
World No.2 Ariya, Moriya and Pornanong all played in the first two editions while Sherman is making her debut in the tournament.
In today’s action, Moriya and Pornanong will play against Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Ayako Uehara, and Ariya and Sherman will compete against Misuzu Narita and Mamiko Higa.
Ariya, who has won 10 LPGA titles, said she plans to use her driver this week.
“We are a strong team. We will do our best for our team and all Thais. I have played in the tournament two times so I know what to do. I hope we advance to the final day’s singles,” she said.
Sherman said: “I am glad to be in the team. I have talked to my teammates about how to play in the event. I want to do my best for the team.”
Top seeds South Korea are determined to win the crown. Their four players — world No.1 Park Sung-Hyun, No.3 Ryu SoYeon, No.10 Kim In-Kyung and No.27 Chun In-Gee — are all major winners.
“The more fans on the course, the better I play,’’ said Park, a two-time major winner, who is making her first appearance in the tournament.
“I think other players will feel the same way. Obviously, there’s pressure to win this at home, but we’re all determined to deliver the title to our fans.’’
The second-seeded US consists of Cristie Kerr, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda and Michelle Wie.
Kerr said: “I think all of the pressure is on them [South Korea] this week. They’re playing in front of their home crowd. Korean people can put a lot of expectations on their golfers.”