The Crown Heats Up: USA and Thailand Command Day Two at the LPGA International Crown

Ah, team golf — there’s really nothing quite like it, is there? The individual brilliance is still there, yes, but it’s amplified, twisted even, into something collective, something truly captivating. And on Day Two of the LPGA International Crown, the atmosphere, you could say, was absolutely crackling, especially as Team USA and Thailand laid down some serious markers, reminding everyone why they’re among the very best.

For the Americans, it was a clean sweep against China, a double dose of victory that truly underscored their collective strength.

Lexi Thompson, a veteran presence, teamed up with Lilia Vu, and together they navigated the course with a calm intensity, eventually besting China’s Ruixin Liu and Yu Liu 3&2. Honestly, it looked like they were in control for much of that match. But then, there was the pairing of Nelly Korda and Danielle Kang.

What a match that must have been! They dug deep, securing a hard-fought 1-up win over Xiyu Lin and Muni He. Talk about clutch. These wins, for all intents and purposes, put the U.S. in a rather enviable position as the tournament barrels towards its decisive stages.

Yet, if anyone thought the spotlight was solely on the Americans, they clearly hadn't been watching Thailand.

Goodness, those Thais are on a roll. Patty Tavatanakit and Atthaya Thitikul, in truth, have been a force of nature, both maintaining their individual undefeated streaks. Thitikul, paired with Jaravee Boonchant, orchestrated a solid 2&1 foursomes victory against England’s Bronte Law and Georgia Hall.

And not to be outdone, Tavatanakit and Moriya Jutanugarn simply dominated, dispatching England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Liz Young with a convincing 4&3 margin. It was a complete sweep, a powerful statement that Thailand is absolutely here to win. Their spot in the semifinals, well, it feels earned, doesn't it?

Elsewhere on the course, the drama continued.

Sweden, with an undeniable flair, managed to sweep Australia. And over in another compelling matchup, Japan put on a clinic, securing a clean sweep against Korea. These are the kinds of performances that make this format so exhilarating — every match, every point, truly matters.

For those still catching up on the nuances, this International Crown isn't just any old tournament.

It’s a carefully crafted team match play event, moving through a round-robin stage. The first two days were all about four-ball matches, which are always fun to watch. But Day Three, as we just saw, shifted to the strategic demands of foursomes. And now? Well, the top two teams from each pool get to battle it out in Sunday’s semifinals.

Every match won nets a point, with ties—naturally—earning half a point. The anticipation for those semifinal pairings? It’s palpable, wouldn't you say? Team USA, Thailand, Japan, and Sweden are all looking like very strong contenders, and honestly, picking a winner feels like a fool's errand right now.

The best part? We get to watch it all unfold.