They proved no match for the dominant team from Thailand yet Team Australia were still celebrating their best ever result at the International Crown in San Francisco.

Guaranteed semi-finalists on the back of Round Robin wins against Korea and Japan, Team Australia advanced to the final at TPC Harding Park with a clean sweep of Sweden in the morning semi-final match.

As the format switched from fourballs to a foursomes match and two singles matches, Australia adopted an aggressive mindset.

They sent Stephanie Kyriacou out against Anna Nordqvist, gave Hannah Green an assignment against Caroline Hedwall and paired the consistent Minjee Lee and Sarah Kemp to take on Madelene Sagstrom and Maja Stark.

The results were nothing short of perfect.

Kyriacou continued her breakout tournament with a 4&3 win, Green edged Hedwall 3&2 and Lee and Kemp completed a dominant 5&3 victory.

That set up a rematch of their final Round Robin match-up against Thailand with an unfortunately similar outcome.

Patty Tavatanakit’s 1 down loss to America’s Lilia Vu in the semi-finals was Thailand’s only dropped point for the entire week, taking the International Crown with a 3-0 defeat of the Aussies and an overall 11-1-0 record.

Atthaya Thitikul defeated Kyriacou 4&2, Tavatanakit accounted for Hannah Green 4&3 and the Jutanugarn sisters, Moriya and Ariya, were too good for Lee and Kemp, winning 4&3.

Despite the disappointment of their final defeat, Kemp said that the No.7 seed could walk away with their heads held high.

“I think we made everyone in Australia proud by finishing second,” said Kemp, who revelled in her first International Crown appearance.

“I’m proud of these girls. We’ve done the best ever Australia has done in this tournament. It’s obviously a little disappointing, but it’s still a big win for us.”

Coming in off her LA Championship victory, Green believes the team environment created imbued her with energy as the week unfolded.

“To finally be in a team environment playing golf, it’s been a lot of fun getting to know the girls, playing such a great course,” said Green.

“I’m super proud of how we played. Yes, the result isn’t what we obviously wanted, but I think we probably had the most fun this week.”

Days out from the defence of her Cognizant Founders Cup title, Lee believes the camaraderie that has been fostered the past seven days will inspire all four to further good results over the course of the season.

“This week has been really fun for me. All the girls are really, really funny,” said Lee, who also has a US Women’s Open title to defend in the coming weeks

“I know on the road we don’t really get too much time to spend with each other, but maybe we’ll have more dinners now after this week.

“Everybody put in their 100 per cent, so I’m really, really proud of how we’ve done this week.”

Described as “a bulldog” by Kemp, Kyriacou admitted that the mindset that proved so successful this week in match play may be something the 22-year-old should adopt in regular tournament play.

“I guess I’ve always kind of liked match play, even back at home as a junior,” said Kyriacou, who is in her second season on the LPGA Tour.

“I think I just get more aggressive. It just kind of unlocks another level where there’s nothing to lose, there’s no pressure.

“Maybe I should try that next week when I normally play.”

Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown
TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California
Final
Atthaya Thitikul def Steph Kyriacou 4&2
Patty Tavatanakit def Hannah Green 4&3
Moriya Jutanugarn/Ariya Jutanugarn def Minjee Lee/Sarah Kemp 4&3

Semi-finals
Stephanie Kyriacou def Anna Nordqvist 4&3
Hannah Green def Caroline Hedwall 3&2
Minjee Lee/Sarah Kemp def Madelene Sagstrom/Maja Stark 5&3

Round robin
Australia v Korea
Minjee Lee/Steph Kyriacou def Hye-Jin Choi/In Gee Chun 2 up
Hannah Green/Sarah Kemp def Jin Young Ko/Hyo Joo Kim 2&1

Australia v Japan
Minjee Lee/Steph Kyriacou def Nasa Hataoka/Ayaku Furue 2 up
Hannah Green/Sarah Kemp tied Hinako Shibuno/Yuka Saso

Australia v Thailand
Patty Tavatanakit/Atthaya Thitikul def Minjee Lee/Steph Kyriacou 1 up
Moriya Jutanugarn/Ariya Jutanugarn def Hannah Green/Sarah Kemp 3&2