How could they be underdogs?

Most fans might be watching the United States and Republic of Korea teams as players put the finishing touches on their practice rounds at TPC Harding Park before the opening matches of the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown begin in earnest on Thursday. But a couple of other teams that might not be on the top of many minds raised their hands and said, ‘Excuse me, we’re here for a reason.’

Players from the People’s Republic of China, for example, would consider it an upset if they aren’t in the finals.

At the banquet on Tuesday night at San Francisco City Hall, Xiyu Lin, known by everyone on the LPGA Tour as “Janet” stated the obvious. So far in 2023, one member of the People’s Republic of China team, Ruonin Yin, has a win at the DIO Implant LA Open, while two others, Yu Liu and Lin herself have runner-up finishes. Lin lost in a playoff just this past Sunday to Hannah Green at the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro, while Liu lost in a playoff to Grace Kim at the LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei in mid-April.

“I was lucky enough to play the 2016 International Crown, and at the moment I remember it was a very unique experience because for me, as a golfer, I normally just play by myself, and even we play like the Asian games or the Olympics, it would still be stroke play, so you still play by yourself,” Lin said. “(The Crown) is the first time we really have teammates.

“That year (2016) we had a really good time, and it was a very different feeling to me.

“This year when I realized we were going to make it to this event, I was very excited. Of course now we have an even a better team, I think. Everyone is in good shape, so I'm really looking forward to this week.”

Yin agreed with that assessment. Oozing self-assurance, she said, “I mean, I'm pretty confident, especially Janet finished second last week, and Yu finished second in Hawaii. I think we're in a really good spot right now. We're confident.”

They aren’t the only ones. The Australia team is another “underdog” to be watched, especially after the victory last week by Green. Throw in the fact that Minjee Lee is one of only a few players to have played in every single Crown since its inception back in 2014, and that Sarah Kemp and Steph Kyriacou have been looking forward to this event for years, and no one on the Australia team would be surprised if they were in the finals.

“We all get along really well so I'm excited, and hopefully we're out there on Sunday and wearing a crown,” Green said.

Lee nodded and agreed. “We don't get too many opportunities to play in this format, and obviously to represent Australia with these girls is really cool and it's a great honor for us,” Lee said. “I've played since I was an amateur, (then) as a rookie pro, and now a little bit (of a) veteran. Over the years, I think it's just gone from strength to strength, and now that Hanwha LIFEPLUS has come on board, I think it's going to be even better.”

So, coming in as the No.7 seed, what do the Aussies think about being called underdogs?

“I mean, Hannah just won last week,” Kemp said. “Minjee is -- what's your World Ranking? Aren't we one of the favorites?”

The answers are No. 6 and yes, quite possibly. Lee has been as high as No. 3 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings in the last 12 months and will defend her title at the Cognizant Founders Cup next week, while Kemp, herself, has been on a hot streak of late, playing well into the weekend in LA.

“I don't think we really feel like the underdogs,” Lee said.

Green agreed. “I don't think (we are underdogs). I think we all gel really well, which I think is really a big advantage over the other teams. I mean, obviously if you're enjoying your company on the golf course, that's probably the best way to actually go out and win points for the team.

“We're just excited to get going on Thursday.

“I guess we don't obviously play match play too often. We do have the event in Vegas that we play, but match play is just such a different type of game.

“We were talking strategy today, seeing who maybe makes the most pars versus someone like me that has a very erratic scorecard. So just thinking things like that is a bit different.

“I guess we've kind of - not that it's a dilemma - but we could all play with each other. There's no specific pairing where it's definitely going to be myself and Minjee or myself and Steph or myself and Kempy.

“I think that's an advantage.”

It certainly will make the Australia team one worth watching when play gets underway Thursday at 11:15 a.m. PDT.

But then again, they all are.

No Real Underdogs at Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown

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