Nelly Korda’s withdrawal from one of the LPGA’s biggest team events may have shifted the spotlight, but not dimmed it. With the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown just days away, all eyes are now turning to Lydia Ko, who’s returning from a short break and is ready to compete with renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose.

Taking to Instagram a few hours ago, Ko shared a heartwarming picture with her dog, with a caption — “Loved the R&R… now off to 🇰🇷 to represent team World @internationalcrown ✌️.” 

Her caption signaled the end of her break, as she was last seen playing at the Kroger Queen City Championship in September, and hasn’t competed since. Now, with a much-needed break and with the International Crown offering a different kind of competitive fire, she seems more than ready to jump back in.

The International Crown, scheduled for October 23–26 at the New Korea Country Club in Goyang-si, will feature eight teams — USA, Korea, Japan, China, Sweden, Thailand, Australia, and Team World. Lydia Ko will lead the latter, with Brooke Henderson, Charley Hull, and Wei-Ling Hsu joining her.

Originally, the main spotlight had been on Team USA, as it was supposed to be led by two-time major winner Nelly Korda. But earlier this month, the LPGA confirmed Korda had withdrawn due to an unspecified injury.

While the withdrawal was very abrupt, there were signs of something like this coming. Because Korda had recently admitted that the hectic schedule was taking a toll on her body and she was struggling physically.

“I would say by this time of the year, my body is definitely worn down,” Korda said after tying for fourth at the 2025 Lotte Championship. “I do have some injuries I’ve had in the past that kind of linger that are never really fully resolved, that you still do PT on every single day, you do therapy.”

While the LPGA’s official statement of her withdrawal cited injury, Nelly Korda’s own comments suggest it was a combination of fatigue and lingering issues, including a neck spasm earlier this season that affected her play at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Despite playing 14 events between April and September and making every cut, the toll was evident, and the fatigue was inevitable. She even skipped playing the Buick LPGA Shanghai last week, but in hindsight, it was the right choice given the horrid course conditions.

So now, Yealimi Noh will be replacing Nelly Korda. According to the official website of the event, “If a player in the top four of a pre-qualified country chooses not to compete or is unable to compete, the spot will be filled by the next highest-ranked, available player from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings for that country….. after the conclusion of the 2025 AIG Women’s Open.”

Hence, Yealimi Noh will now join Lilia Vu, Angel Yin, and Lauren Coughlin to represent Team USA in South Korea. It’s still a very capable squad, but without their biggest name, the dynamic of the competition shifts.

With the field now officially set, all eyes turn to the unique format that makes the International Crown unlike anything else on the LPGA calendar.

How the International Crown works: Format explored

The International Crown isn’t just another tournament. It’s a rare team showdown that’s held every two years. The event brings together eight teams of four players each, made up of the top-ranked golfers from their respective countries or regions. This year marks the fifth edition of the competition, with South Korea playing host for the second time since 2018.

The format of the event is very simple and similar to most team events in golf. Held across three days, teams are split into two groups of four and face off in a four-ball better-ball match play. Each win earns one point, ties earn half a point, and after three rounds, only the top two teams from each group advance. Then comes the real pressure.

The semi-finals and the finals will be played in a mix of two singles matches and one alternate-shot foursomes game. It’s a test not just of skill, but of strategy, team chemistry, and nerves.

With $2 million on the line and bragging rights that carry well beyond the week, there’s plenty to play for. In 2023, it was Team Thailand who stole the show—led by Jeeno Thitikul, Patty Tavatanakit, and the Jutanugarn sisters. This year, with teams like Korea, USA, and the rising Team World in the mix, the road to the crown looks wide open and anything but predictable.