Golf, culture, and community converge at the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown

Part of golf’s enduring appeal lies in its purity: one player, one ball, one course. No teammates to lean on, no defenders to outmaneuver — just the solitary pressure of outplaying the field, one swing at a time. That’s precisely what makes team golf tournaments so compelling. When athletes who normally compete alone come together to play for something greater than themselves, the stakes, and the pressure, only rise.

From October 23–26, the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown brought many of the LPGA Tour’s best female golfers to South Korea’s New Korea Country Club to compete as national teams. With eight squads — including a newly formed World Team — the biennial tournament delivered drama, emotion, and a brand-new champion.

The 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown marked the tournament’s fifth edition, and its fifth different champion. Previous winners include Spain, the United States, South Korea, and Thailand, underscoring the depth of talent in women’s golf. This year’s field featured 18 of the top 25 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

National teams from seven countries qualified: the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Sweden, and China. The inaugural World Team brought together top-ranked players from countries that did not qualify, including players from Canada, England, Chinese Taipei, and New Zealand.

Across four days, the tournament delivered on its growing reputation for drama and high-stakes golf. In Group A, the United States topped the standings, with Australia securing the second semifinal spot. Group B was led by the World Team, anchored by world No. 4 Lydia Ko. In the knockout rounds, the United States comfortably defeated Japan, while Australia edged the World Team in extra holes, thanks to a clutch foursomes finish by Grace Kim and Steph Kyriacou.

Underdogs Australia clinched its first-ever International Crown in the final with back-to-back singles victories over the United States — including a decisive win from Hannah Green. Minjee Lee, who finished the week with four wins and one draw, was named tournament MVP.

While the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown delivered thrilling competition and unforgettable moments on the course, it also offered space for connection, reflection, and shared experience. From families and seasoned fans to first-time visitors, spectators found energy, meaning, and a sense of community beyond the game.

LIFEPLUS is a brand co-operated by Hanwha Life, Hanwha General Insurance, Hanwha Investment & Securities, Hanwha Life Financial Service, and Hanwha Asset Management. The brand supports the International Crown as part of its mission to help people live healthier, more meaningful lives. With a focus on holistic wellness — financial, physical, mental, and inspirational — the brand creates opportunities to connect with health, culture, and sport in everyday life.

The tournament’s atmosphere reflected those values. “The event was enjoyable both on and off the course,” said Sarah Rhee, a Seoul-based golf emcee and longtime fan. “The golf itself was obviously exciting, but the atmosphere felt like a friendly, welcoming community — it made the whole experience more memorable.”

By sponsoring global sporting events like the International Crown, LIFEPLUS extends its message across borders and generations — highlighting the power of sport to foster understanding, inclusion, and wellbeing. That spirit will carry into 2027, when the next edition of the tournament heads to Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco — a fitting location for a brand rooted in innovation, culture, and global connection.