Golf: Spain wins inaugural LPGA International Crown

The inaugural 2014 LPGA International Crown took place at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md., from July 24 to 27, and is scheduled to occur every even year. Spain won the team event, which consisted of the top four players from eight countries based on their world rankings as of Mar. 31, 2014, the roster announcement date.

In addition to hoisting the trophy, Spain also received individual crowns in the spirit of the event name. (left to right) Azahara Munoz, Belen Mozo, Carlota Ciganda and Beatriz Recari. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

In addition to hoisting the trophy, Spain also received individual crowns in the spirit of the event name. (left to right) Beatriz Recari, Carlota Ciganda, Belen Mozo and Azahara Munoz. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

The Spaniards won all of their singles matches on the final day to sweep past Sweden (the runners-up), and Japan and South Korea (tied for third place).

“We said coming in: we have the advantage of being so close to each other,” Belen Mozo, ranked No. 149 in the world, said in an interview with the Golf Channel. “That is what you want in team championships. Even though there were amazing players in this championship, we might have had what other teams lack.”

Belen Mozo eyes a putt at the 2014 International Crown. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

The 2016 edition will be hosted by Rich Harvest Farms outside of Chicago from July 18-24, and in 2018, the event will move to South Korea.

Team Spain LPGA International Crown roster

Azahara Munoz (No. 19 in the world as of Mar. 31, 2014)
Beatriz Recari (23)
Carlota Ciganda (45)
Belen Mozo (149)

Team Spain results

Day 1 – Four-ball

Spain (Ciganda and Muñoz) def. Thailand (Pornanong Phatlum and Onnarin Sattayabanphot), 3 and 2
Thailand (Ariya Jutanugarn and Moriya Jutanugarn) all square with Spain (Mozo and Recari)

Day 2 – Four-ball

United States (Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson) def. Spain (Mozo and Recari), 3 and 2
United States (Paula Creamer and Stacy Lewis) def. Spain (Ciganda and Muñoz), 2 up

Day 3 – Four-ball

Spain (Ciganda and Muñoz) def. Chinese Taipei (Yani Tseng and Phoebe Yao), 6 and 5
Spain (Mozo and Recari) def. Chinese Taipei (Candie Kung and Teresa Lu), 2 up

Day 4 – Singles

Spain (Ciganda) def. South Korea (Na Yeon Choi), 8 and 6
Spain (Recari) def. Sweden (Mikaela Parmlid), 3 and 2
Spain (Mozo) def. Thailand (Moriya Jutanugarn), 3 and 2
Spain (Muñoz) def. Japan (Ai Miyazato), 2 and 1

Photos: Team Spain – 2014 LPGA International Crown
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine