The LPGA recently announced changes to the International Crown, so let’s take a look at the teams that will likely be competing in Korea, starting with the United States:
THE CURRENT FOUR
The four players that would currently represent the United States are:
- No. 1 Nelly Korda
- No. 5 Lilia Vu
- No. 14 Rose Zhang
- No. 15 Lauren Coughlin
This would generally be a strong group of players. Over the past two seasons each of them have multiple wins and have represented the United States in the Solheim Cup, which has a lot of similarities in format to this event. In the most previous Solheim Cup, Korda, Zhang and Coughlin went a combined 10-1-1. Obviously if those players could replicate that number, the United States would be in good shape.
Vu hasn’t had the best history in team competition, she is 2-5-1 in her career in the Solheim Cup, but was arguably the best player for the United States in the 2023 International Crown, going 3-1-1 and 2-0-1 alongside Korda. Vu is also clutch, hitting the winning putt in the 2024 Solheim Cup.
POTENTIAL REPRESENTATIVES
Some other potential players to represent the red, white and blue are:
- No. 20 Angel Yin
- No. 21 Megan Khang
- No. 35 Alison Lee
- No. 36 Allisen Corpuz
Unless something major changes, the team will be comprised of the names listed above. Of these potential alternates, Khang and Corpuz are both intriguing.
Khang has established herself as easily the strongest player in these types of formats from the United States recently. That is proven by her 6-0-1 record in the last two Solheim Cups. Khang pairs nicely with her best friend Korda, where the duo won their lone match played together 6&4.
Corpuz is also a Solheim Cup star, going 5-2-1 across her two playings. The most intriguing thing about Corpuz potentially making this team is her record alongside Korda, where the duo have incredibly gone 4-0-0 as a pairing in the Solheim Cup. The United States should be hoping to pair these two together in Korea.
TEAM PREDICTION
- Nelly Korda
- Lilia Vu
- Rose Zhang
- Angel Yin
I see Angel Yin having a massive season to crash this team. She also has a solid history in team events, going 5-3-1 across three Solheim Cup appearances. She brings a fun energy to a team room and should compliment the 2024 United States Olympians well as a fourth teammate.
CAN THEY WIN?
Absolutely. Any of the combinations of potential players easily can take the title here and would be considered one of the top three favorites.
