The KLPGA team won all four of their matches on day two of The Queens presented by Kowa, to earn their place in the Final with the LPGA of Japan.
The Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association team won all four of their matches on day two of The Queens presented by Kowa, a unique tournament between four of the world’s leading women’s golf tours, to earn their place in the Championship Final with the defending champions from the LPGA of Japan.
With each match victory worth two points, the KLPGA team earned eight points in the day-two four-balls at Miyoshi Country Club in Nagoya for a total of 12 points, one more than their nearest rivals.
The format has changed from the inaugural event in 2015, when all four tours played singles matches against each other on the final day. This year, the first and second placed teams will play against each other in eight singles matches, while the third and fourth placed teams from the Ladies European Tour and Australian Professional Golf, who scored seven and two points respectively over the first two days, will compete in the Third Place Final.
All scores will be scratched before the final day.
KLPGA Captain, Jiyai Shin, said:
“I’m very proud of my team today and they all had great condition and enjoyed the nice weather. They played so good so we are very happy at the moment. When I finished, I followed a few holes and saw all the other teams played well, so it was very impressive. It was great for the gallery because I saw a lot of birdies.”
After the match, her players went straight to the putting green to practice before attending an organised team dinner with a local speciality.
“In Korea, before a big game, we eat a lot of eel and this area is famous for it so we booked a restaurant for tonight,” she said, “because we say it gives you a lot of energy.”
The JLPGA Captain, Ritsuko Ryu, commented: “The Korean players were fantastic and we know that they are a group of brilliant players and we were expecting them to finish well today. We played some good golf, good team work with all of our players. We would like to refresh our minds and do our best for tomorrow.”
LET Captain Trish Johnson said she was ‘gutted’ as her team fell just short of qualifying for the Championship Final.
Her star performers were Britons Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall, who defeated Australians Katherine Kirk and Lauren Hibbert by 6 and 4 in the top match, Matthew having also won her foursomes match with Nanna Koerstz Madsen on Friday.
“I’ve had some good partners. Georgia played well today. She is very steady and putted very well. She made some good birdie putts, so she was a nice partner to have,” Matthew offered.
Hall said: “Today I played with Catriona and who doesn’t want to play with Catriona? It was amazing and we played well and holed some good putts. I’m happy to get a big win.
“We didn’t make a bogey, so I’m happy because we both played well. This is one of the best weeks of the year, for me. To be in the team with everyone, it’s just amazing and I don’t want it to end. I’m a bit sad it’s going to end tomorrow. Next year!”
Fellow Briton Florentyna Parker and Isabelle Boineau from France halved their match against the Japanese pair Yumiko Yoshida and Kotone Hori.
ALPG Captain Rachel Hetherington said: “Our team is very excited to have finished so strong with our final match with Whitney and Su, so it’s given us some good momentum for tomorrow. We’re certainly looking forward to playing the LET tomorrow with some great players.”
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