U.S. overcomes 'rocky' start, stays perfect at International Crown

The United States remained unbeaten at the Hanwha LifePlus International Crown tournament on Friday, winning both of their fourball matches in Goyang-si, South Korea.

Americans Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin recorded a 5 and 4 victory over No. 1-ranked Jeeno Thitikul and Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand at the biennial event at the New Korea Country Club. The loss was the first after six consecutive match wins in the event for Thitikul.

"We started out a little rocky, and then in the middle, we won five holes in a row and then seven out of the last 11, so pretty amazing stats," Yin said. "I think we really found a rhythm, and we bounce off each other amazingly. I think that really showed up on the score."

The U.S. duo of Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin secured a 3 and 2 over Chanettee Wannasaen and Jasmine Suwannapura.

That gave the Americans four points in Pool A and clinched their spot in the Sunday morning semifinal matches. They need at least one-half point in the third fourball session on Saturday to seize the top position in Pool A.

"I was basically Lauren's cheerleader on the back nine. She's the backbone of this match," Vu said, "I'm having a little more fun this year. I think the weather is nicer. I'm not as cold as I was at TPC Harding (Park). It's nice to see the fans on the first hole and just all have a good time."

Also in Pool A on Friday, Australia and China split their fourball matches.

Australians Minjee Lee and Stephanie Kyriacou notched a 2 and 1 victory over Weiwei Zhang and Yan Liu, while China's Ruoning Yin and Ruixin Liu posted a 1-up win over Hannah Green and Grace Kim.

Australia has two points, while Thailand and China each have one in Group A.

In Pool B, the World Team has three points, the Republic of Korea has two and Japan and Sweden each have 1 1/2.

England's Charley Hull and World teammate New Zealander Lydia Ko enjoyed a 1-up win over Hyo Joo Kim and Hye-Jin Choi. South Koreans Jin Young Ko and Haeran Ryu tied their match with Wei-Ling Hsu of Taiwan and Canada's Brooke Henderson.

Japan and Sweden split their Pool B matches on Friday.

The Japanese contingent of Miyu Yamashita and Rio Takeda defeated Madelene Sagstrom and Ingrid Lindblad 3 and 2, while Swedes Maja Stark and Linn Grant upended Mao Saigo and Ayaka Furue by the same score.

--Field Level Media