Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown: The Format
The fourth playing of the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown takes place this week at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, Calif. Eight teams from eight different countries representing the LPGA Tour’s top talent are set to duke it out Thursday through Sunday in the Bay Area, featuring one of the more unique formats in professional golf.
Thursday through Saturday: Four-Ball
Each country will play two Four-Ball matches against each of the other three countries in their pool. In Four-Ball, two partners compete together as a side, with each player playing her own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.
At the conclusion of the three days of Four-Ball competition, the two countries with the most points from each pool will advance to Sunday. One point will be awarded for a win, one half-point for a tie and zero points for a loss. All points from the Four-Ball matches on Thursday through Saturday will be cumulative and will determine the top two countries advancing from each pool.
Pool A
No. 1 United States, No. 4 Sweden, No. 5 England, No. 8 People’s Republic of China
Pool B
No. 2 Republic of Korea, No. 3 Japan, No. 6 Thailand, No. 7 Australia
| Thursday Pool A | Thursday Pool B |
|---|---|
| United States 1A vs. People’s Rep. Of China 8A | Rep. of Korea 2A vs. Australia 7A |
| United States 1B vs. People’s Rep. Of China 8B | Rep. of Korea 2B vs. Australia 7B |
| Sweden 4A vs. England 5A | Japan 3A vs. Thailand 6A |
| Sweden 4B vs. England 5B | Japan 3B vs. Thailand 6B |
| Friday Pool A | Friday Pool B |
|---|---|
| United States 1A vs. England 5A | Rep. of Korea 2A vs. Thailand 6A |
| United States 1B vs. England 5B | Rep. of Korea 2B vs. Thailand 6B |
| Sweden 4A vs. People’s Rep. Of China 8A | Japan 3A vs. Australia 7A |
| Sweden 4B vs. People’s Rep. Of China 8B | Japan 3B vs. Australia 7B |
| Saturday Pool A | Saturday Pool B |
|---|---|
| United States 1A vs. Sweden 4A | Rep. of Korea 2A vs. Japan 3A |
| United States 1B vs. Sweden 4B | Rep. of Korea 2B vs. Japan 3B |
| England 5A vs. People’s Rep. Of China 8A | Thailand 6A vs. Australia 7A |
| England 5B vs. People’s Rep. Of China 8B | Thailand 6B vs. Australia 7B |
Sunday: Foursomes and singles
Two semifinal matches will be played Sunday morning, with each semifinal match consisting of two singles matches and one Foursomes match. Foursomes, also known as alternate shot, is a form of play involving partners where two players compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole.
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, two singles matches and one Foursomes match.
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