The United States won the Solheim Cup for the first time in seven years after a closely fought final day singles contest at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
The matches remained on a knife edge until Lilia Vu made a brilliant birdie on the 18th to earn the half-point needed for the home to reach 14½ points and win the Solheim Cup for the United States.
The final score was 15.5-12.5 in America’s favour as they clinched the cup for the first time since 2017.
At the start of the final day, Team USA had a 10-6 advantage over Europe, but despite losing the singles 5.5-6.5, it was good enough to secure a long-for victory for team captain Stacy Lewis’s side.
Even the extraordinary fighting spirit of Charley Hull could not quite stir a miracle at the Solheim Cup. A remarkable 6&4 thrashing of the world No.1 Nelly Korda in the opening singles match was a statement of defiance that instigated hope, but a United States team desperate to end their barren run finally made good on their formidable talent despite an unexpectedly nerve-riddled finale.
After Megan Khang, Allisen Corpuz and Rose Zhang made it three points from the first five matches, Stacy Lewis’s side were seemingly cruising, with only 1.5 more points required to seal victory. But Suzann Pettersen’s side had other ideas and a scoreboard that was at one time looking very red was suddenly awash with blue as the Europeans mounted a thrilling fightback.
Céline Boutier snatched victory from Lexi Thompson at the last with a stunning birdie, while Leona Maguire, who only played in two matches all week, beat Ally Ewing 4&3. Madelene Sagstrom secured another point for Europe when beating Sarah Schmelzel 1up, while Sweden’s Maja Stark bravely holed out from 15 feet at the last to tie her match with Lauren Coughlin.
THREE TIED MATCHES
But it fell to Lilia Vu, who had until then been disappointed with her contribution during the week, to end Europe’s hopes of a record comeback, hitting her approach at the last to two feet to tie her match against rookie Albane Valenzuela,
US captain Stacy Lewis said: ““It really could have gone either way. It was crazy there at the end in terms of how it all unfolded. I was just hoping and praying it went our way. It’s amazing how these things come down to half-point here and there. Fortunately, this time we were on the right side of it.
“I’m just so proud of the whole team. And Lilia’s finish there was unbelievable. That’s what you expect from one of the best players in the world.”
European captain Suzann Pettersen commented: “We gave them a run for their money. I don’t think anyone expected us to be here at 2.30pm and to still have a chance. It’s kind of hard to believe that we actually had a chance with giving them such a head start. But I had fun today. It’s always exciting on a Sunday.
“There were possibilities out there, and several times we thought we could get it done. It came down to a couple of matches. I’m happy for Stacy, but we’ll come back very hungry.
Of course it’s painful to lose, but at the end of the day we’ve had a lot of small victories within our team this week. We’ve had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and moments that I will cherish forever. It’s been a great ride. Solheim Cups – they’re the best.”
Sunday Singles results – Europe 6.5 USA 5.5
Charley Hull (EUR) def. Nelly Korda (USA) 6&4
Megan Khang (USA) def. Emily Pedersen (EUR) 6&5
Georgia Hall (EUR) def. Alison Lee (USA) 4&3
Allisen Corpuz (USA) def. Anna Nordqvist (EUR) 4&3
Rose Zhang (USA) def. Carlota Ciganda (EUR) 6&4
Esther Henseleit (EUR) tied Andrea Lee (USA) TIED
Celine Boutier (EUR) def. Lexi Thompson (USA) 1 up
Maja Stark (EUR) tied Lauren Coughlin (USA) TIED
Lilia Vu (USA) tied Albane Valenzuela (EUR) TIED
Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) def. Sarah Schmelzel (USA) 1 up
Leona Maguire (EUR) def. Ally Ewing (USA) 4&3
Jennifer Kupcho (USA) def. Linn Grant (EUR) 2&1