Cromvoirt (Netherlands) (AFP) – Team Europe produced a dominant display in Sunday’s decisive singles to beat the United States and claim back the Solheim Cup after a dramatic three days of see-sawing fortunes. Playing in her first Solheim Cup, Lottie Woad held her nerve to drain the putt on the 17th green to give Europe an unassailable lead over the Americans and snatch back the trophy. The putt sparked wild scenes on the green as Woad was mobbed by her fellow players, cheered on by a raucous crowd at the first Solheim Cup hosted in the Netherlands.
“I’m just really, really proud of the players for starting strong and also finishing strong,” said Europe’s team captain Anna Nordqvist, as the players drenched the manicured greens with champagne. For only the seventh time, the teams came into Sunday’s singles all-square at 8-8 after two nerve-jangling days at the Bernardus course. But Europe raced out of the gate in the head-to-head battles, inspired by England star Charley Hull, who put a miserable weekend behind her to win her match and clinch the first European point.
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World number one Nelly Korda showed her class to grab a point for the United States but it was not enough to stem the Europeans, who were too strong in the middle matches. Woad had played with Hull in all four matches on Friday and Saturday and endured a torrid time, but she too found redemption, rolling in the winning putt to beat Auston Kim in the battle of the rookies. “I didn’t know it was to win,” admitted the 22-year-old of her putt.
“I was pretty disappointed,” she said, reflecting on her weekend up until the singles matches. “Felt like I was playing good golf and not getting the points…that’s golf sometimes. Ends up I got the winning putt,” added Woad.
– ‘Living my dream’ –
Nordqvist gambled on sending out Hull first, despite the England star taking only half a point from four matches so far and cutting a frustrated figure on the greens. Hull teed off first in driving Dutch drizzle against Megan Khang, who went into the match unbeaten in her four singles clashes. And the Solheim Cup veteran repaid her captain’s confidence, delivering a 3&2 redemption win after a courageous approach on the par five 16th.
“It’s been a frustrating week,” said the 30-year-old, playing in her eighth Solheim Cup. “I’m happy that I’ve got a point this week…it’s better than none,” she said. Playing second, Alison Lee staged a historic comeback from four holes down at the turn to get the first US point on the board with a 1-up victory over Esther Henseleit. No player had clawed back such a desperate situation since at least 2015, but in the end, Lee’s heroics were in vain as Europe ran out 15-13 winners.
The US had been hoping to retain the Solheim Cup on European soil for the first time since 2015. They still lead the overall series 11-9. The next Solheim Cup will be held in September 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. “I’ve been living my dream, it doesn’t feel like I worked a day in my life,” said Nordqvist. “What makes the Solheim Cup special is that you get to share it with others,” she said.
© 2024 AFP
