Reflections on the International Crown – Catching my Breath

The 2016 UL International Crown is in the rearview mirror now and women’s golf fans are looking to Woburn and the 40th Ricoh Women’s British Open for our next adrenaline jolt. I’m still trying to catch my breath!

Either way Team #USA..winning looks good on you! #ULIntlCrown pic.twitter.com/VbNIWVvqCD

— UL Intl Crown (@ULIntlCrown) July 24, 2016

The 2014 International Crown was a tremendous inaugural. I thought Spain’s upset win that left the Korean and United States teams standing on the sidelines watching in envy as the Spaniards did their euphoric Olé Olé victory dance couldn’t be beat. I was wrong!

The Team USA victory at the 2016 International Crown was as much in question going into the Sunday singles matches as Spain’s had been two years ago, and the ultimate win was just as sweet! After being completely shut out on the first day of fourballs matches, Team USA looked to be poised to take another discouraging hit, despite their top-seed going into the Crown.

Then Cristie Kerr started texting and there was a Solheim reprise. Right before our eyes Stacy Lewis found her short game, Lexi Thompson got control of her putter, and Gerina Piller delivered shot after spectacular shot, while Cristie Kerr cruised right along, hole after hole, round after round, delivering the best golf I’ve seen from the Americans since last September in St Leon-Rot.

I love match play! The format transports a fundamentally solitary sport into a team game of the highest order. Even though the International Crown got stuck in fourballs – the alternate shots variation is also incredible fun – I thoroughly enjoyed the upheavals, the unexpected surges and fall-backs that unfolded over three rounds. Players who aren’t typically competitive in stroke play competition came to the fore in the team setting.

Karrie Webb couldn’t carry the Australians but how about that Candie Kung and the Chinese Taipei team? Who would have predicted that the underdog team would end their Sunday in a tie for 3rd place?

The English girls, who brought their long history of amateur and club-level match play competition to the Crown, proved once again that when it comes to match play experience counts. Who knows how it might have all turned out if Charley Hull hadn’t had an asthma attack? Mel Reid almost accomplished the impossible on Friday! By Sunday those 2 points were all that separated the winner from the 3rd place.

Kudos, of course, to the American team. The win was hard-fought and well-played. And thanks to all the participants for the tremendous display of skill and heart they poured into four days of golf. Even as we return to the 72-hole grind and the promise of a Sunday Shootout at Woburn, and beyond, I’ll linger on these matches and look forward to the next ones.

Fore!

Cover Image via Twitter