Golf:Korea broke the low scoring record on their way to securing the Women's World Amateur Team Golf Championship and landing the Espirito Santo Trophy in Buenos Aires where Ireland finished a creditable tied 11th place.
Korea, who won the title in the Philippines in 1996, returned a 30 under par 546 aggregate – two scores from three to count over four rounds – to win by a staggering 17 shots from America in second. The Americans previously held the low scoring record (558 in 1998) but still hold the winning margin of 21 shots also set in 1998.
“This is the second time we have won this event and I would like to thank the players for the victory,” said Korean captain Hyung-Mo Kang. “They played very well.”
Hyun-Soo Kim and Jung-Eun Han shot 69 and 70, respectively. The 71 from Ji-Hee Kim was discarded.
Han, who advanced to the third round of this year’s US Women’s Amateur, set the championship record for lowest 72-hole score by winning the individual event with a 275 aggregate (72, 65, 68, 70), one stroke better than American Jenny Chuasiriporn in 1998.
“The Korean people who live in Argentina gave us applause and support,” said Han (17) who won the 2008 Queen Sirikit Cup. “I felt the pressure because I wanted to win this with the team.”
The Irish team of Danielle McVeigh, Leona and Lisa Maguire finished tied 11th alongside Denmark with a 577 aggregate following four rounds of 144, 143, 147 and 143 played over the Buenos Aires and Olivos Golf Clubs. In the final round Leona shot the best Irish score of the week (69), while her twin sister Lisa shot 74 and McVeigh's 79 was discarded.
The trio bettered Ireland's previous performance when McVeigh, Niamh Kitching and Tara Delaney tied 24th at the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia in 2008.
America finished second on 563 to secure their 19th medal overall and third silver medal performance. Danielle Kang, the current US Women’s Amateur champion, shot 70 and Auburn University All-American Cydney Clanton shot 73.
Defending champions Sweden, France and South Africa finished tied for third on 572. Sweden kept its streak alive by finishing in the top 10 in all 24 Espirito Santo Trophy competitions.
Spain finished sixth on 573 and were followed by Canada in seventh at 574. Germany, the Philippines and New Zealand shared eighth place at 575.
Conducted by the International Golf Federation (IGF) the biennial team event attracted 52 teams this year.