The Aussies marked a big win on Sunday, achieving what they chased two years ago at the LPGA’s International Crown.
Back in 2023, Australia fell just short, finishing runner‑up to Thailand. However, this time, the team of Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim left no room for heartbreak, delivered when it mattered the most.
Lee gave Australia its first point in the final by beating Team USA’s Angel Yin 2-1. The match was very close, with the momentum shifting back and forth until Lee took the lead on the 16th hole and finished it off on the 17th.
Green, on the other hand, won 2 and 1 against Yealimi Noh, giving Australia the second point they needed to win. The turning point came when she drained a birdie putt on the 17th hole, granting the team the overall win before the outcome of the foursomes match was known.
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The match pitting Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim against Team USA’s Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin ended in a tie, but the Aussies had already won the crown.
While Green delivered the winning blow, it was Lee who earned MVP honors.
She went 4-0-1 over the week, the only player in the field to have competed in every edition of the International Crown without previously lifting the trophy.
“Right now I can’t really even recall what–yeah, it was a really tight match from the very beginning,” Lee expressed after the Sunday win. “We kind of went back and forth with birdies. I don’t think we won a hole with a par. We were both winning with birdies.” She added, “It was just nice to be able to win that first match.”
Team USA, the top seed and strong all week, fell short at the last hurdle. The Americans had no trouble getting through pool play and the semifinals.
Angel Yin beat Japan’s Rio Takeda, and Yealimi Noh easily beat Miyu Yamashita. But when it came to the title match, the momentum shifted.
The World Team claimed third place with commanding performances. Charley Hull dominated Ayaka Furue 4 and 3, while Lydia Ko defeated Rio Takeda 3 and 2. Hull’s Sunday showing was particularly impressive, capping off a week where she posted a 3-1-1 record.
Australia’s victory marked the fifth different champion in the International Crown’s five editions, joining Spain, the U.S., South Korea, and Thailand.
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