Thursday, July 21, 2016

Taiwan hope to avoid 2014 repeat after

dispatching Australia at International Crown

GURNEE, Illnois – For the second consecutive year, Taiwan swept its opening matches at the UL International Crown. In 2014, Yani Tseng and Co., took down Team USA in a dramatic upset. At the Merit Club, the foursome dispatched Australia, putting four early points on the board.
“No strategy is our strength,” said newcomer Ssu-Chia Cheng.
Tseng, who was emotional on the first tee at Caves Valley two years ago, said they won’t repeat 2014 entirely. After the hot start, Taiwan was eliminated from Sunday singles play when they were swept by both Thailand and Spain.
“We’re gong to figure it out because tomorrow we’re against the Koreans,” said Tseng, “and they’re very strong.”

Rather than try to have one player take an aggressive approach and the other play conservatively, Tseng said they just tried to make as many birdies as possible.
Tseng paired with Teresa Lu to down Karrie Webb and Su Oh, 3 and 2. Candie Kung and Cheng defeated Minjee Lee and Rebecca Artis, 2 up.
The weather changed dramatically midway through Round 1 as a huge storm system skirted the course. The wind kicked up and the 90-plus temperature dropped so dramatically on No. 15, Tseng said it felt like she had walked into the air-conditioned clubhouse.
“It was freezing in one second,” Tseng said.
Taiwan will need to stay hot against top-seeded South Korea. Though the favoured team already has proven vulnerable, with a young China pair – Jing Yan and Simin Feng – defeating the strong team of Sei Young Kim and So Yeon Ryu.

Labels: LPGA TOUR