Europe faces a mountain of Medinah proportions to retain the Solheim Cup after they ended day two of the matches still trailing the United States by four points.
After the first day, the US led 6-2 and the hosts continued to maintain that advantage on day two at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia
Europe secured two points from the morning foursomes and two points from the afternoon four-balls to trail 10-6.
In order for Europe to secure a ‘four-peat’ and hold onto the prestigious trophy for the fourth time in a row, they would need eight points from the Sunday singles, while the home side needs just 4.5. It is the same scoreline that Europe’s Ryder Cup team faced at Medinah in 2012, before they went on to win 14.5-13.5.
SATURDAY FOURSOMES
The morning session saw Europe’s points come from Esther Henseleit and Charley Hull as they defeated Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho 1up. Henseleit knocked her approach on 18 within five feet and after the US failed to make an up-and-down from the greenside bunker, Europe secured the victory.
“Charley played great all day,” said the rookie. “She hardly missed a shot. I was glad I could step up in the end and secure this point. Our games are similar, so I feel like we know when the other one is feeling good.”
Europe’s other point from the morning came from Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and France’s Celine Boutier as they clinched a 4&3 victory over Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel.
“I never played with Celine before and I absolutely loved it,” said Nordqvist. “I felt like I really needed a point, and it’s nice to see some blue on the board. We’ve just got to keep doing our best. But I had a really fun morning with Celine.”
SATURDAY FOURBALLS
It was a similar story in the afternoon as the US and Europe each came away from the session with two points – the first time in Solheim Cup history where both sessions ended up tied.
Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen battled against Ally Ewing and Lexi Thompson to triumph on the 17th green. The European duo went into the lead on the 13th and were 2up through 15, but Thompson then rolled in a birdie on 16. However, Pedersen stuck her approach shot on 17 – with the Americans conceding the birdie – and the US pair were unable to convert their long putts giving Europe another point on the board.
“I think we played amazing golf, morning and afternoon,” said Ciganda. “Obviously it’s tough to beat the Americans. They were playing some great golf, and with the home crowds, it’s not easy, but I told Emily, ‘Let’s wear them out. Let’s hit as many greens as we can. The putts are going to drop’.
The final match of the afternoon session saw English duo Charley Hull and Georgia Hall defeat Allisen Corpuz and Lilia Vu 2up. It was only the second time ever the English duo have played together, they never went behind, but they had to play all 18 holes to secure the final point of the day.
Hull said: “We was buzzing because we’re best friends. We know each other inside out. We know what we can and can’t say to each other. Well, there is pretty much nothing we can’t say to each other. I was getting Georgia to read my putts. Felt like I was struggling yesterday with a few of my reads. I just know that Georgia is a very good green reader, so I trust her with my life for putting.”
Europe need eight points from the singles session to retain the trophy, while the United States needs just 4½ points to win the cup for the first time since 2017.
Back in 2003, Europe won eight singles matches at Barsebäck in Sweden and they will need to do the same tomorrow.
ORDER FOR PLAY FOR SUNDAY SINGES (UK time)
1.50pm – Charley Hull vs Nelly Korda
2.00pm – Emily Pedersen vs Megan Khang
2.10pm – Georgia Hall vs Alison Lee
2.20pm – Anna Nordqvist vs Allisen Corpuz
2.30pm – Carlota Ciganda vs Rose Zhang
2.40pm – Esther Henseleit vs Andrea Lee
2.50pm – Celine Boutier vs Lexi Thompson
3.00pm – Maja Stark vs Lauren Coughlin
3.10pm – Albane Valenzuela vs Lilia Vu
3.20pm – Madelene Sagström vs Sarah Schmelzel
3.30pm – Leona Maguire vs Ally Ewing
3.40pm – Linn Grant vs Jennifer Kupcho