Spain Secures the First International Crown
After an exciting week representing their country, Spain’s ladies became the victors of the LPGA’s first International Crown at Maryland’s Caves Valley Golf Club.
The match play event looked to be in trouble for the Spaniards on Friday as they were beaten solid by the Americans. But the team consisting of Azahara Munoz, Beatriz Recari, Carlota Ciganda and Belen Mozo forged their way through, emerging as an unstoppable force over the weekend and securing all 12 points during the final two days.
Besides Recari, the players representing Team Spain were relatively unknown before last week, especially in comparison to some of the big names at the event including world number one Stacy Lewis and South Korea’s Inbee Park.
However, the four ladies from Spain have a solid history, having played together at both the junior and amateur levels, which might help to explain their awesome success at the inaugural event.
“I think that coming in, we knew we had that advantage over the other teams,” explained Mozo. “Even though we were maybe the underdogs because of the seedings and the way we came into this tournament, not seeded very well, I knew deep inside that what you need in team championships is what we have, not the rest.”
Mozo’s statement seemed to ring true especially in the case of the top-seeded U.S. Team, who failed to make it to the final day despite having the likes of Lewis, Paula Creamer, Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr on the roster.
When asked about her nation’s difficulty in recent team events, including back-to-back Solheim Cup losses Lewis told the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive, “I don’t know how you explain it. It’s one week. It’s match play, and with match play, a lot can happen.”
Adding, “It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change the rankings. Lexi’s still won a major this year, I’ve still won three times, Paula’s won, Cristie’s still playing some great golf. It doesn’t change any of that. We just have to figure this out in team play. It’s just making some key putts. If we can make some key putts, we’ll be back on track in these team events.”
While the Americans look to find the answer on how to better play as a team, the LPGA is more than satisfied with how the event’s first go went.
LPGA commissioner Michael Whan commented on the Club staff stating, “Everyone is so friendly and engaged. It just feels like a club that has done this 100 times. It’s very polished.”
Making it a great week indeed for ladies golf and giving organisers the exact effect they were after. The International Crown will be back in two years time at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
