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Europe win biennial battle against USA 15-13 with hugely impressive win in Ohio
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Ireland rookie Leona Maguire one of many stars as Catriona Matthew’s team wins in US for only second time
They call Toledo the Glass City and there was no doubt who the triumphant visitors were raising them to here on Monday night. Step forward Catriona Matthew, the first Europe captain ever to win the Solheim Cup twice, and here is to you Leona Maguire, the first rookie ever to win 4.5 points.
Of course, this was a team effort, but that particular pair deserve so much of the credit as the Americans were beaten back-to-back for just the second time in the biennial dust-up’s 31-year history. It was the match that had everything and those males preparing for the Ryder Cup in two weeks’ time might well wonder “how on earth do we follow that?”
At 9-7 overnight, Europe knew that the home side would come at them and that the galleries would be cheering them on to blue-and-gold murder. At one point it seemed that Matthew’s girls would stretch away with ease but so the Stars and Stripes put up their show of resistance and scared the wits out of the few away fans here in the process.
No scene changes as quickly as team matchplay golf – the momentum shifts this way and that in the swinging of club – and, indeed, in that frantic final hour every shot seemed crucial.
In the end, however, Matilda Castren beat Lizette Salas on the 18th to help Europe reach the magic number of 14, that meant Europe, the reigning champions, retained the cup. And with Dane Emily Pedersen three-up with three remaining over Danielle Kang, the very least she could win was half a point, and Europe were there – guaranteed 14.5 points and their fourth win in the last six Solheims.
If you listened very carefully you could hear the chants of “Ole, Ole, Ole”.
They had been threatening to ring out ever since Maguire, the countess of Co. Cavan, crushed Jennifer Kupcho 5&4, so adding yet more substance to the notion that a European star was born here at the Inverness Club.
Sent out third by captain Matthew in the supposed duel of the debutants, Maguire was the first victor in, making Kupcho seem like a timid first-timer. So much for fatigue after being the only player to appear in all five sessions. When she finished the effortless victory on the 14th, Maguire looked like she could easily go around again.
It turned out to be the ideal match-up. Maguire knew Kupcho from the amateur days at Duke University. Regardless of Kupcho’s own brilliance in winning 2.5 points from her three games over the opening two days, Maguire knew she had her number.
“We’ve done battle many times in college,” Maguire said. “This wasn’t the first, and it will definitely not be the last. I knew I was going to have to play some really good golf to beat her today. Got off to a great start; that eagle on 2 [where she hit a magnificent second shot to 12 feet] really sort of set me up and holed some really nice putts. I just really kept my foot down all day.”
Maguire is not the fanciest of golfers, but she does everything well and putts splendidly. Put that together with an unflappable temperament and it is an irresistible mix which makes one wonder how far she can go in the game. What comes next will be fascinating viewing for many.
Coming into this week, Maguire had played 15 times on the US circuit this year, recorded two runners-up, another three top 10s and hurtled herself up to eighth on the money list. She made Matthew’s selection task so straightforward.
Yet the Scot should be applauded for her treatment of Maguire. She paired her with Mel Reid in three sessions, and it is fair to say that there had been suspicion between the duo before this week. They did not know each other but Matthew saw kindred spirits if only in their competitive spirits. Then there was the decision to ride her all the way to the finish line, not electing, as is the norm, to rest a player in her first match. It summed up Matthew’s astute leadership.
“I was a little surprised by that, I guess, but I’ve been playing well,” Maguire said. “That’s what the captain wanted me to do, so here to win every single point I can for the team.” Maguire was not shocked at her display. She exudes that quiet confidence that makes her stand out.
“You never know how you’re going to react in these situations until you’re put in them,” she said. “This is what you practice for. This is what you prepare for. I love team golf and I love matchplay.”
They seem to be rather fond of her, although in the adoration stakes each and everything will have to take their place in the queue behind the golf country of Ireland. Maguire is the female for which they have been waiting, to provide the same inspiration as Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Co. The first Irishwoman ever to play in the Solheim Cup could soon turn that sobriquet into a mere footnote.
With Maguire in the galleries, so the Europeans buckled down and weathered the US storm. Nelly Korda, the world No 1, put their first point on the board, defeating Georgia Hall on the 18th, and suddenly there was a lot of red down below that hinted at a miraculous recovery.
But Celine Boutier destroyed Mina Harigae 5&4 and when another Dane in Nanna Koerstz Madsen secured the half with Austin Ernst, it became clear that the hosts needed all the tight games to flip their way.
Castren was not about to let that happen and despite Brittany Altomare, Megan Khang, Yealimi Noh and Jess Korda racking up four in a row to keep the fans shrieking and hollering, Pedersen had afforded Europe such a welcome buffer in the anchor game. She was the big underdog against Kang, but these affairs rarely follow the script. And when Pedersen finished it off so the party started.
As it happened
10:06 PM
Pedersen wins 1-up on the last
AND EUROPE WIN THE SOLHEIM CUP 15-13
And now the party can start…
09:58 PM
The last match is on the 18th
Emily Pedersen was three up with three to play but is now one up with one to play against Danielle Kang. Will it be another point or a half point for Europe?
09:57 PM
Inspiration for the Ryder Cup captain
09:53 PM
Yealimi Noh beats Mel Reid 1-up
That’s a fine performance from the American rookie against her more experienced opponent.
So the score is now…
EUROPE 14-13 USA
But Pedersen is assured a half point against Kang so it’s now a question of whether the final score will be 15-13 or 14.5-13.5…
09:48 PM
Jessica Korda beats Charley Hull 3&1
So the score is now…
EUROPE 14-12 USA
09:47 PM
US captain Pat Hurst speaks…
On what one wrong this weekend…
“We got behind the eight ball early on.”
On today’s singles…
“I hoping to see a lot of red early on, it’s is what it is, they played hard and that’s what we ask for”
On what this Solheim Cup means…
“Both sides [have] just awesome players. The level of weoen’s golf is so high right now and it’s only going to get better.”
09:42 PM
This is just the second time Europe have won on US soil
And they’ve done it without any European fans at the Inverness Club in Ohio.
09:39 PM
Ryder Cup stars send their congratulations
09:32 PM
The winning putt
09:31 PM
That vital bunker shot from Matilda Castren on the 18th
09:30 PM
Pedersen is now dormie three against Kang
So that’s a definite half for the Europeans which mean they are guaranteed 14.5 points and the overall victory…
09:28 PM
EUROPE RETAIN SOLHEIM CUP
Matilda Castren beat Lizette Salas 1-up on the last – what an up-and-down from the fantastic Finn!
09:25 PM
Salas finds the green with her approach to the 18th
While Castren is in the greenside bunker…it’s slightly plugged, She plays the bunker shot to within 10 feet.
The American now has a putt to halve the match. Can she get the USA another half point? She misses the birdie putt and Castren now has a putt to halve the hole and win the match and get the vital point to retain the Cup for Europe.
Can she do it?
SHE CAN!!!!
EUROPE RETAIN THE SOLHEIM CUP!!
09:18 PM
Brittany Altomare beats Carlota Ciganda
2&1
That’s a great comeback by the American – she was behind but did what she needed to on the back nine and now USA ARE WITHIN TWO POINTS OF EUROPE
Current score – EUROPE 13-11 USA
09:15 PM
Megan Khang beats Sophia Popov
3&2
The USA are into double figures. It’s now…
EUROPE 13 – 10 USA
09:13 PM
Matilda Castren finds the fairway at the 18th
As does the USA’s Lizette Salas who, remember needs to win this hole to prevent Europe retaining the trophy.
09:11 PM
As it stands…
09:09 PM
Castren is 1-up with one to play against Salas
If she can halve the last Europe retain the Solheim Cup.
09:07 PM
EUROPE NEED ONE MORE POINT TO RETAIN SOLHEIM CUP
So close.
09:07 PM
Ernst plays a beauty into the 18th green
Under pressure that was some shot – she wins this hole she wins a vital point for the USA. Nanna Koerstz Madsen hits her approach over the flag to within 20 feet. She just misses the birdie putt on the low side and Ernst has a putt (a breaking eight-foot putt) to win the match and a vital point for USA.
SHE LEAVES IT SHORT and it’s a half point for Europe.
Koerstz Madsen halves match against Ernst.
Current score – EUROPE 13-9 USA
09:01 PM
It’s still advantage Europe
But only just…
USA are all but guaranteed two points from the Khang and Noh matches – 4-up with four to play against Popov and 3-up with four to play against Reid, respectively. So that would make the score Europe 12.5 – 10.5 USA
So the matches on which this will be decided are….
Ernest vs Koerstz Madesen (A/S thru 17)
Salas vs Castren (EUR 1-up thru 16)
J Korda vs Hull (USA 1-up thru 14)
Altomare vs Ciganda (A/S thru 15)
Kang vs Pedersen (EUR 2-up thru 12)
08:56 PM
As it stands…
08:53 PM
Castren and Salas are having a right ding dong
They’ve just exchanged a pair of must-make putts on the 16th – Castran remains 1-up against the American.
08:47 PM
The Carlota Ciganda vs Brittany Altomare match
Is tied with three to play – both have made crucial putts this back nine and this could go to the wire.
08:41 PM
Good news for Europe
Pedersen goes 2-up against Kang with six holes to go.
08:40 PM
Here’s that Castren monster putt
08:39 PM
As it stands…
Europe need 1.5 points to retain trophy
Europe lead in two matches
USA lead in two matches
AS in three matches
08:37 PM
Castren makes a huge putt on 15
Salas cannot respond and Europe go 1-up in the match. They could do with that point…
08:35 PM
Brittany Altomare from downtown
What a fine putt to peg Carlota Ciganda to A/S through 14. For Europe the Ciganda and Casten matches will rpove crucial – they’re both all square through 14.
08:32 PM
Nelly Korda wins the USA’s first full point of the day
Georgia Hall was in trouble off the tee at 18 and went from bunker to bunker. In the end Korda, with a 1-up lead on the tee box, only needed a par to make sure of the point.
Score is now – EUROPE 12.5 – 8.5 USA
08:30 PM
Clutch putt
From Pederson on 11 – she had a six-footer to halve the hole and stay 1-up against Danielle Kang.
08:27 PM
Austin Ernst
Three putts from nowhere and is now back to A/S against Nanna Koerstz Madsen. The USA need here to get back ahead of the Dane
08:25 PM
With the score at 12.5 – 7.5 to Europe
The state of play in the matches still going is..
Europe ahead in 2
USA ahead in 4
A/S in 2
08:23 PM
Carlota Ciganda is pulled back to 1-up
Against Brittany Altomare, If one of her or Carsten can win their matches then you think the Solheim Cup is definitely Europe’s. BUT the trouble is getting over the line…
08:20 PM
Europe need 1.5 points to retain the Solheim Cup
This is very much squeaky-bum time at the Inverness Club.
08:19 PM
Nelly Korda misses a putt to win match against Georgia Hall
That match will go to the last with Hall needed to win the 18th to halve that battle.
08:17 PM
Anna Nordqvist speaks
“I played so well today, I wished I could have made a few more putts. We both played so good. It’s not easy out there so I am so proud of my team.”
08:15 PM
That means the score is
EUROPE 12.5 – 7.5 USA
08:14 PM
Anna Nordqvist misses the putt
BUT Thompson gives the Swede the comeback putt and the epic battle is halved.
08:13 PM
So close for Thompson
The US star just misses her lengthy putt on the low side – she’s got a par at the 18th. Anna Nordqvist now has a putt for the match…
08:11 PM
Castren is back to A/S against Salas
The pair are through 13 and this could be a crucial match.
Of the matches out on the course…
Europe are up in two
USA are up in four
And it’s A/S in three
08:09 PM
To the final hole
Where Lexi Thompson leaves herself with a long putt for birdie with her approach. Anna Nordqvist has 120 to the flag and gets her approach to 25 feet.
08:06 PM
As it stands…
08:03 PM
Thompson and Nordqvist both…
…nail their drives at the last – is there a sting in the tail of this titanic tussle?
08:02 PM
Europe now need two points to retain the Solheim Cup
It’s getting closer BUT their are some tight matches still out there…
08:01 PM
Europe win another point!
Celine Boutier beats Mina Harigae 5&4
She’s been dominant from the start and it’s Europe leading…
EUROPE 12-7 USA
07:58 PM
The epic battle sees
Anna Nordqvist miss a 30-footer for the hole at the 17th. Her clash with Lexi Thompson will go to the 18th…
07:56 PM
Madelene Sagstrom speaks…
“I am very happy right now, I’ve been playing well…but really happy I could get the point for the team.”
07:55 PM
Two down three to go
07:53 PM
Europe now need three points to retain the title
And are up in five matches still out on the course.
07:52 PM
Sagstrom wins Europe’s second point of the day
She said she left as though she’d let down her team after the controversy of Saturday BUT that’s gone now and she’s beaten Ewing 3&2
EUROPE NOW LEAD 11-7
07:49 PM
A reminder that Europe need just…
…four more points to retain the trophy.
07:47 PM
Pederson goes 1-up at the eighth
Against Danielle Kang. The Dane is holding up well here.
07:43 PM
As it stands…
07:41 PM
Lexi Thompson wins the 16th
To get back to A/S against Anna Nordqvist
This is a titanic battle and it looks as though it’s going to the wire.
07:39 PM
The current projected score is…
…17-11 to Europe
There are five matches on the course that are 2-up or less for the Europeans.
07:35 PM
What a debut!
07:33 PM
Europe now need four points to retain the trophy
And they’re up in seven matches out on the course…
07:33 PM
Leona Maguire wins Europe’s first point of the singles
What a star she’s been, a remarkable rookie – 4.5 points out of a possible five this week – WOW!
She beats Jennifer Kupcho 5&4
The score is now – EUROPE 10-7 USA
07:27 PM
Thanks to that putt by Nordqvist
Europe are up in eight matches
USA are up in three matches
A/S in one
REMEMBER Europe need five points to retain the Solheim Cup
07:22 PM
Two great shots from Thompson and Nordqvist
They only serve up great battles, don’t they? On the 15th they both fire in their approaches to within four and five or so feet.
Thompson putts first and misses on the high side. Another chance for Nordqvist – can she take this one?
YES SHE CAN!
Nordqvist 1-up thru 15 vs Thompson
07:19 PM
Not seen much of Celine Boutier tonight
But that’s probably because the French star has just gone 4-up against Mina Harigae and the US broadcaster doesn’t want to show too much Euro glory (sorry if I’ve now jinxed it…).
Celine Boutier 4-up thru 11 vs Mina Harigae
07:16 PM
Big miss from Nordqvist
Thompson gave her a chance to go 1-up on the 14th. The Swedish star had a three-footer for par to grab the match by the scruff of the neck with just four holes to go. But she missed it on the right side and there’s still nothing to separate this pair.
Thompson AS thru 14 vs Nordqvist
07:07 PM
How it currently looks….
07:05 PM
Nelly Korda wasn’t going to play badly for three days…
…was she?
She goes 2-up against Georgia Hall thru 11 thanks to a birdie. She needs to maintain that lead if the USA are to have a chance, they’re still down in eight matches.
07:01 PM
Salas misses a birdie putt at the eighth
And Castren goes 1-up.
That means Europe are now up in EIGHT matches…let’s not get carried away, though…
06:59 PM
As it stands
Europe are up in seven (Sagstrom, Maguire, Boutier, Koerstz Madsen, Ciganda, Hull, Pedersen)
USA are up in three (N Korda, Khang, Noh)
You don’t need me to say that this is looking good for the Europeans. A word of warning, however, most of those leads are narrow…
06:57 PM
Pederson with more good new for Europe
She goes 1-up against Danielle Kang at the fifth. The American’s tee shot was pulled into the lefthand bunker and from their Pederson made sure she capitalised on the error.
Pederson 1-up thru 5 vs Kang
06:54 PM
A bounce-back from Hall
The European star wins the 10th to get back to 1-down against world No.1 Nelly Korda.
06:49 PM
Thompson is in trouble off the tee at 13
And has to lay up. Nordqvist has a window of opportunity but her approach leaves her shortsided and with a tricky chip sot next up…
06:44 PM
The lead match is proving to be another epic
Nordqvist and Thompson are on the 13th tee and are level through 12.
06:42 PM
Europe are up in six matches
Thanks to Sagstrom, Maguire, Boutier, Koerstz Madsen, Ciganda and Hull…
If things stay this way victory would be Catriona Matthew’s team.
06:39 PM
Nelly Korda
Is now 2-up against Georgia Hall – they through nine holes now and the world No.1 has found her mojo.
06:38 PM
As it stands…
06:36 PM
Charley Hull goes 2-up through 4
Against Jessica Korda. The American had a very tricky chip shot (while standing in the bunker) for par – she misses and concedes the hole.
Hull 2-up thru 4 vs Korda
06:34 PM
Sagstrom goes 1-up through 10
Against Ewing – the grudge match has been nip and tuck sicne the first. The USA’s Ewing misses a long par putt and concedes the hole.
Sagstrom 1-up thru 10 vs Ewing
06:30 PM
Nelly Korda goes 1-up through eight
Against Georgia Hall thanks to a brilliant approach that she nearly holed…
Meanwhile, Mel Reid goes 4-down through four against Yealimi Noh.
It’s early days yet but the projected scores sees Europe win 15-13 as it stands – still a long way to go…
06:27 PM
Leona Maguire is four-under through eight
That’s down to some brilliant iron play – she plays another fine approach to the ninth and will have a decent chance to get to 5-up at the turn…
06:25 PM
As it stands…
06:18 PM
Castren goes 1-up at the fifth
Thanks to another missed short putt – there’s been a few of those so far, an indication of the nerves out on the course – from Salas.
It’s looking healthy for Europe – they’re up in four compared to the USA’s three.
06:13 PM
Some start from Yealimi Noh
The American may be a rookie BUT she’s won the first three holes. She’s 3-up through three against Mel Reid…
06:11 PM
As it stands…
Europe are up in four (Maguire, Boutier, Ciganda, Pedersen)
USA are up in three (Thompson, Khang, Noh)
06:10 PM
How Lexi Thompson went 1-up at the turn
06:05 PM
The lead match
Between Anna Nordqvist and Lexi Thompson sees the American go 1-up at the turn.
Thompson nails a tricky breaking putt of about 10 feet and it’s the first time she’s been ahead in this match.
Thompson 1-up thru 9 vs Nordqvist
06:01 PM
Another short miss for Europe
The first from Georgia Hall but this one is from Mel Reid who misses a three-footer at the second to go 2-down against Noh.
Some of these you’d expect to be given but the fact they’re being missed explains why they’re not…
05:59 PM
As it stands…
US names first…
Thompson AS thru 8 vs Nordqvist
Ewing 1 up thru 7 vs Sagstrom
Kupcho 3 down thru 6 vs Maguire
N Korda AS thru 6 vs Hall
Harigae 1 down thru 5 vs Boutier
Ernst AS thru 4 vs Koerstz Madsen
Salas AS thru 3 vs Castren
Altomare AS thru 2 vs Ciganda
Khang 2 up thru 2 vs Popov
Noh 1 up thru 1 vs Reid
So of the 11 matches to get through the first hole Europe are up in two and USA are up in three...
05:53 PM
Lexi Thompson then holes a short putt at the 9th
To go level against Nordqvist.
Things can, and are changing, very quickly.
05:52 PM
Georgia Hall misses a two-footer at the sixth
And from nearly going two up a few moments ago is now all square against Nelly Korda.
Hall vs N Korda AS thru 6
05:51 PM
Some good news for the USA
Mel Reid bogeys the first and goes one down on Yoh.
05:49 PM
MATCH 11 – Charley Hull (EUR) vs Jessica Korda (USA)
Another big match up. Hull has won two of her three matches so far while Korda is winless through two and yet to win a singles match in her previous two Solheim Cups.
Hull finds the middle of the fairway as does Korda.
05:45 PM
Putting queen
05:44 PM
As it stands
Europe are up in 3
USA are up in 2
Matches tied 5
05:43 PM
Maguire’s fine week continues
As the Irish star holes a 10-footer to go 2-up against Kupcho thru 6.
She’s had a brilliant week and looks completely unruffled out there.
05:38 PM
MATCH 10 – Mel Reid (EUR) vs Yealimi Noh (USA)
Reid has won 2½ points so far and finds herself up against a rookie in Noh.
The Europe star’s drive finds the left bunker while Noh finds the left rough. Nervy starts from both.
05:36 PM
Nordqvist birdies the seventh
And it 1-up against Thompson through 7.
Nordqvist 1-up vs Thompson thru 7
05:34 PM
As it stands
Europe are up in six matches, the USA up in one and tied in one
05:33 PM
Nelly Korda hits immediately back
Hall made three at the fifth but a birdie from the world No.1 halves the arrears to one.
Hall 1-up thru 5 vs N Korda
05:31 PM
Hall moves 2-up against N Korda
The Briton hole a birdie putt on the fourth to further her lead.
Hall 2-up thru 4 vs N Korda
05:28 PM
MATCH 9 – Sophia Popov (EUR) vs Megan Khang (USA)
Last year’s Women’s Open champion Popov has yet to score a point while her opponent only has a half to her name so far. Both find the fairway as they look for their first Solheim win.
05:25 PM
Here’s that near albatross
05:24 PM
BUT Lexi Thompson’s par at the sixth
is enough for her to level things up against Anna Nordqvist.
05:23 PM
Europe up in another match
Matilda Castrengoes 1-up against Lizette Salasat the first.
05:20 PM
Nearly an albatross for the USA’s Ernst
From the rough she plays a delightful shot that falls short of the green and rolls up onto the dancefloor finishing just an inch from the hole.
WOW – extraordinary – Nanna Koerstz Madsen responds with a fantastic approach of her own at the par-5 second – finishing barely a foot away.
They halve when Ernst might have (understandably) assumed she’d win the hole to get back to level with the Dane.
05:17 PM
Another lead for Europe
Nanna Koerstz Madsen has putted for par at the first and that is enough to give her the early lead.
Koerstz Madsen 1-up against Ernst thru 1
Europe up in four matches, the USA in one…
05:14 PM
It’s all very quiet for the USA at the moment
They wanted a sea of red on the leaderboard early on and it hasn’t happened.
05:12 PM
As it stands…
Europe are up in three matches to the USA’s one
Nordvquist (EUR) 1-up thru 5 against Thompson
Ewing (USA) 1-up thru 4 against Sagstrom
Maguire (EUR) 1-up thru 3 against Kupcho
Hall (EUR) 1-up thru 2 N Korda
05:09 PM
Ewing takes the lead against Sagstrom
The grudge match has just left the fourth green and the American nails a short putt to go 1-up.
05:08 PM
MATCH 7 – Matilda Castren (EUR) vs Lizette Salas (USA)
Castren has impressed all year long and her drive finds the first cut. Her opponent has won twice already this week and her tee shot finds the middle of the fairway.
05:07 PM
Nordqvist misses a chance to go 2-up
Against Lexi Thompson. And Thompson makes he putt the return stroke on the fifth as if to remind her she’s in a contest.
Nordqvist still 1-up.
05:02 PM
Steady from Georgia Hall
The Europe star stays 1-up through two as she birdies the par-five having seen Korda just miss her eagle put.
05:00 PM
Another big putt from Nordqvist
At the fourth she nails an eight-footer to stay 1-up against Lexi Thompson.
04:58 PM
MATCH 6 – Nanna Koerstz Madsen (EUR) vs Austin Ernst (USA)
Koerstz Madse is a Solheim rookie while her US opponent has played in three matches so far this week winning one and losing the other two.
Koerstz Madse gets away fine while Ernst finds the left bunker – that could be a tricky approach for the American.
04:54 PM
Carrying on where she left off
04:52 PM
Early lead for Georgia Hall
Against Nelly Korda on the first.
As it stands Europe are up in three of the four matches through the first hole so far. That wasn’t in the script for the hosts.
04:48 PM
Which Direction will this evening go for Europe?
04:47 PM
MATCH 5 – Celine Boutier (EUR) vs. Mina Harigae (USA)
Boutier has appeared twice so far this week winning just a half. Harigae is a rookie and combined with Yealimi Noh to win on Sunday afternoon.
Both get away off the first well.
04:44 PM
MATCH 1 – big putt for Nordquist
The European has a six-footer to tie the par-3 third against Thompson. She walks it in and stays one-up.
04:42 PM
MATCH 2 – Sagstrom wins the second
To level her match with Ewing.
04:40 PM
Bubba Watson is the pre-match entertainment…
If you are liable to cringe then turn away now…
Meanwhile in Match 3 Kupcho and Maguire halve the first
04:37 PM
MATCH 4 – another mouthwatering match up
Georgia Hall (EUR) vs. Nelly Korda (USA)
Two huge names but world No.1 Korda is under pressure coming into this clash. She has struggled this week with a 1-2-0 record.
Hall, 1-1-1 this week, sees her tee shot run into the right rough, while Korda (the Olympic champion) finds the middle of the fairway.
04:33 PM
MATCH 1 – Nordqvist 1-up through two
Thompson was in trouble with her approach and ended up (nervous golfers look away now…) shanking it out the greenside rough. That left her a 60-foot putt for the half which she wasn’t able to make.
Early advantage to Europe’s Nordqvist…
04:28 PM
MATCH 2 – Ewing is 1-up through 1
A par at the first is good enough to give the American the early advantage.
04:27 PM
MATCH 3 – the battle of the undefeated
Loena Maguire vs Jennifer Kupcho
Two rookies who are unbeaten so far this week. The USA’s Kupcho is 2-0-1 and Irishwoman Maguire, who is the only player on either team who will play all five matches, is 3-0-1.
Maguire uses driver (first of the day so far) to find the right fairway, while Kupcho finds the right rough.
04:23 PM
MATCH 2 – Sagstrom in the rough with her approach
On the first as Ewing finds the back of the green – that won’t be an easy two-putt from there, downhill.
04:20 PM
The first tee shot
04:18 PM
MATCH 1 – first hole halved in a bogey five
That’s a three-putt from Thompson as Nordqvist misses a six-footer to go one up.
04:17 PM
MATCH 2 – could be feisty
Madelene Sagstrom vs Ally Ewing
This match revisits Saturday controversy – it was Sagstrom who picked up Nelly Korda’s ball (after three seconds, rather than 10…) that led to Europe losing the hole before going on to lose the match 1-up. Korda’s partner in that clash was Ewing. Will the bad feelings from that affect this singles match?
The European finds the bunker off the first as Ewing finds the fairway, much to the crowd’s delight.
04:14 PM
MATCH 1 – slight advantage for the USA on the first
Lexi Thompson is on the left edge of the green while Nordqvist is just short – though not much in it.
04:12 PM
Europe captain Catriona Matthew speaks
“I am excited, it’s going to be great day, it will be a tough challenge but they’re all up for it an itching to get out there. They know they have to go out their and win their point, not look at the leaderboard and focus on their match.”
04:08 PM
MATCH 1: Nordqvist finds the first cut
While Thompson, met to huge cheers, finds the left fairway. Whisper it but Thompson’s record isn’t great in the singles, winning just 1.5 points.
04:05 PM
Nordqvist and Thompson are on the first tee
And the singles is about to start.
04:05 PM
The USA cheerleader is…
…Bubba Watson and he’s getting the crowd worked up into a positive-supporting frenzy right now.
04:03 PM
Advice for the Europeans
From European legend Trish Johnson, who’s speaking on Sky Sports…
She says the Europeans cannot get caught up in the emotion of the situation and have to do their best not to antagonise the home crowd (already raucous). They just need to think along the lines ‘I win my match and we win the Solheim Cup’…
03:57 PM
The first match is five or so minutes away
And features Anna Nordqvist against Lexi Thompson
What a match – one that could set the tone for what is to follow. These two meet in a rematch of their epic clash in 2017, which ended up halved. Thompson asked US skipper Pat Hurst whether she could lead, having done so in the victories of 2015 and 2017. Nordqvist’s record in the singles is (just) marginally better than her opponent today – 2-2-2 vs 1-1-2
03:53 PM
There’s a lot of talent throughout the US side
BUT it’s clear they’ve got a fair few of their stars at the top of the singles – their aim will be to get the scoreboard turned red as soon as possible and put pressure on the Europeans.
03:45 PM
A reminder that…
…The defending champions have won the Solheim Cup away from home just once before, in Colorado in 2013.
Despite the two-shot advantage this is still a huge task facing the Europeans. It’s a partizan crowd and a US-style course.
03:37 PM
The USA are ready
03:29 PM
The lineup for the singles
17.05 – Anna Nordqvist vs Lexi Thompson
17.15 – Madelene Sagstrom vs Ally Ewing
15.25 – Loena Maguire vs Jennifer Kupcho
17.35 – Georgia Hall vs Nelly Korda
17.45 – Celine Boutier vs Mina Harigae
17.55 – Nanna Koerstz Madsen vs Austin Ernst
18.05 – Matilda Castren vs Lizette Salas
18.15 – Carlota Ciganda vs Brittany Altomare
18.25 – Sophia Popov vs Megan Khang
18.35 – Mel Reid vs Yealimi Noh
18.45 – Charley Hull vs Jessica Korda
18.55 – Emily K. Pedersen vs Danielle King
03:15 PM
An exciting finale expected
If you want Exhibit A in the growing popularity and, for want of a better word ‘importance’ of women’s golf then you have to look no further than this weekend’s Solheim Cup.
On a weekend that saw the men battle it out for a winner’s cheque of $15 million, with a rigged format that saw the actual winner not win, and the usual booming drives and pitching wedges hit into greens, there was only one winner the in golfing excitement stakes and it wasn’t the PGA Tour finale at East Lake Golf Club.
No, it was at the Inverness Country Club where the women have once again set up a dramatic last day and proved that golf is a game of finesse (using most of the clubs in the bag) as well pure power.
An absorbing Sunday means this biennial battle between the USA and Europe is thrillingly poised. After the United States fought back in the morning to win the foursomes 3-1, Europe showed grit and determination to reconsolidate their lead in the afternoon, moving into a 9-7 advantage, thanks to a 2½-1½ victory in the fourballs.
Bar a few moments during the Sunday fourballs Europe have been frontrunning and with the two-point lead are marginal favourites. But the side’s captain, Catriona Matthew, knows any victory will be hard-earned and told her players to to take nothing for granted and keep their, so far, laser-like focus.
“I would definitely have taken a two-shot lead at this point at the start and I am confident,” Matthew, looking to become the first Europe captain to win twice, said after the action on Sunday. “But there is a long way to go.”
Matthew accepted that edging ahead on Sunday evening could prove vital come tonight’s finish – Mel Reid sinking a birdie putt to earn a half point alongside Leona Maguire meaning Europe won the last three fourballs matches 2½ – ½.
“That finish and that last 20 minutes was crucial for us,” Matthew said. “From the start to the day it looked like the momentum was heading towards the US, but edged back a little bit in the afternoon and that half point has buoyed us up.”
Stay here for what should be another exciting evening.