Sports
Pornanong Phatlum Thailand’s hero in LPGA International Crown
Pornanong Phatlum emerged as Thailand’s star Saturday
OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Jutanugarn sisters were a formidable pairing over the first two days of the International Crown, but Pornanong Phatlum emerged as Thailand’s star Saturday, leading the nation to an upset of the Americans.
The Jutanugarn sisters
Phatlum teamed with Onnarin Sattayabonphot to defeat Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer, 1 up, in a fourballs match that won Thailand a spot in Sunday singles and led to the elimination of the American team.
Phatlum made five birdies in six-hole stretch on the back nine to hold off the American hopes. She buried a 10-foot birdie at the 14th hole that gave Thailand a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
“Pornanong was amazing on the back nine,” Sattayabonphot said.
Phatlum is ranked No. 28 in the world. She has won two Ladies European Tour titles and eight Ladies Asian Golf Tour titles.
“Pornanong just went crazy there on the back nine on us,” Lewis said. “If she wasn’t hitting it to gimme range, she was making a 20-footer.”
LPGA International Crown
Par-71 Caves Valley G.C.; Owings Mills, Md.
Fourball
Pool A
Standings: Spain 7, Thailand 7, United States 6, Taiwan 4.
Spain 4, Taiwan 0
Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz, Spain, def. Yani Tseng and Phoebe Yao, Taiwan, 6 and 5.
Belen Mozo and Beatriz Recari, Spain, def. Candie Kung and Teresa Lu, Taiwan, 1 up.
United States 2, Thailand 0
Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson, United States, def. Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Thailand, 3 and 2.
Pornanong Phatlum and Onnarin Sattayabanphot, Thailand, def. Paula Creamer and Stacy Lewis, United States, 1 up.
Pool B
Standings: Japan 8, Sweden 7, South Korea 6, Australia 3.
Sweden 4, Australia 0
Caroline Hedwall and Anna Nordqvist, Sweden, def. Minjee Lee and Karrie Webb, Australia, 5 and 3.
Pernilla Lindberg and Mikaela Parmlid, Sweden, def. Katherine Kirk and Lindsey Wright, Australia, 7 and 5.
South Korea 2, Japan 2
Inbee Park and So Yeon Ryu, South Korea, def. Mamiko Higa and Mika Miyazato, Japan, 4 and 3.
Ai Miyazato and Sakura Yokomine, Japan, def. Na Yeon Choi and I.K. Kim, South Korea, 3 and 2.
