A dominant Angel Yin performance for the United States stole the show in the first round of the 2025 International Crown, but the Pool A standings stay close.
In the first round of the International Crown, the United States were the only team in the field to win both matches, starting off 2-0, while China sits at 0-2. Australia and Thailand had a split, each earning one point.
The match that should give American fans the most confidence is Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin winning 5&4 over the strongest duo from China, Ruoning Yin and Yan Liu. Angel Yin was incredible, shooting -6 in 14 holes and making birdies on six of the final eight holes to really break the match wide open. Ruoning Yin struggled throughout the day, shooting even par. Liu wasn’t doing much to help her partner, shooting the same score.
The other match between the United States and China was much better, as Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin defeated Weiwei Zhang and Ruixin Liu 1UP. Vu and Coughlin played solid complimentary golf, each making three birdies but all on different holes.
While the United States should feel great about their opening round performance, particularly from Yin, it is likely that China won’t win too many points this week, so the road will only get tougher.
In the first match between Australia and Thailand, the phenomenal duo of Minjee Lee and Stephanie Kyriacou defeated Chanetee Wannasaen and Jasmine Suwannapura 2UP. For certainly being the underdogs on paper, Thailand stayed in it well, never getting more than a one hole deficit. A Minjee Lee birdie on the final hole though sealed Australia’s full point.
In the other match, a balanced effort from Jeeno Thitikul and Pajaree Anannarukarn defeated Hannah Green and Grace Kim 1UP. While Thitikul played well, it was a clutch birdie on 17 from Pajaree that helped Thailand keep the lead in that match when the momentum could’ve easily swung to the Aussies.
In round 2, the Australians (1-1) take on China (0-2) and the United States (2-0) match up against Thailand (1-1). The top two teams in this pool after three rounds advance to the semifinals.
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