The Hanwha International Crown returns to the LPGA schedule for the first time in five years this week at TPC Harding Park, which means a number of players are competing in the event for the first time.
Team USA comes into the week as the top seed out of eight countries and will face China in Thursday’s opening round. Of the four Americans, only Lexi Thompson has experience, having competed in all three previous Crowns. South Korea won the last edition on home soil in 2018.
“I really love team events, like a lot of other girls probably do, too,” said American Danielle Kang, “and having the International Crown come back on the schedule was really exciting for me because it’s something I haven’t done.
“I use it as kind of a check box in my career, and being a part of an International Crown team as a top four player in the United States that gets to represent … is a huge honor.”
The course
This marks the first time an elite women’s professional event is being held at TPC Harding Park and most of the talk early-week has focused on length.
The official white-line yardage for the week is 6,550 yards, though that number will be adjusted each day. Since undergoing a $16 million restoration in 2002-03, the public course has hosted the 2009 Presidents Cup, 2005 WGC-American Express Championship, 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match and the 2020 PGA Championship. It’s also slated to host the 2026 Presidents Cup.
“I think the tee shots are pretty tricky,” said World No. 1 Nelly Korda, “especially if the wind picks up. Overhanging trees. I think definitely it’s going to be a ball-striking week.”
The format
The first three rounds of play feature four-ball competition with the top two countries from each pool advancing to Sunday. Two semifinal matches will be played Sunday morning. New this year, each semifinal match will consist of two singles matches and one foursomes match.
The winning semifinal countries will compete in the final match on Sunday afternoon, and a third-place match will take place between the two losing semifinal countries. Both matches will be the same format as the semifinals.
How to watch
Thursday, May 4 – 6 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Friday, May 5 – 6 p.m.ET to 9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Saturday, May 6 – 6 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Sunday, May 7 – 1 p.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET (Peacock); 6 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Who’s here
Nelly Korda Mic'd Up 🎤
The World #1 is making her USA @Intl_Crown Team debut this week at TPC Harding Park ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/K6TiJgcYsf
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 3, 2023
Seven of the top-10 players in the world are at Harding Park: Nelly Korda (1), Jin Young Ko (3), Lilia Vu (4), Atthaya Thitikul (5), Minjee Lee (6), Lexi Thompson (7), Hyo Joo Kim (9).
The purse
The total purse is $2 million, and the winning team’s portion is $500,000 ($125,000 per player). The team that finishes last will receive $32,200 per player.
Jersey numbers
All 32 players are wearing jersey numbers this week, which they picked themselves. Many players opted for their birthdate, such as Madelene Sagstrom, who was born on Friday the 13th.
“I have eight because I turned pro in August,” said Sweden’s Maja Stark. “I won my first pro event in August; and I won my first LPGA in August; and I played with ball No. 8 when I won it.”
