Europeans stun Americans to win Solheim Cup

The Europeans grabbed the Solheim Cup Sunday, edging out the Americans in singles play in Gleneagles, Scotland, by a slim margin of 14½ – 13½. It marked the first Cup victory for the Europeans since 2013.

The Europeans raced out early on Sunday to establish themselves as a threat. The Euros won three of the first four matches that were completed. Lexi Thompson struggled with back issues in her loss to Georgia Hall. Celine Boutier defeated Annie Park in the early going in their all-rookie showdown.

But that momentum stopped when Angel Yin beat Azahara Munoz to tie things at 11-11. Jessica Korda edged Caroline Masson 3 and 2 to give the Americans a 12-11 edge. Megan Khang then rallied on 18 to halve her match with Charley Hull. That pushed the USA edge to 1½ points.

“I knew coming into 18 it was all or nothing to get half a point,” Khang told Golf Channel.

Lizette Salas just missed a birdie on 18, but Anne van Dam pushed her chance to halve the match wide right. Salas’ 1-up victory pushed the Americans to within a half-point of victory at 13½ – 11½.

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Celine Boutier of Team Europe gets a hug after winning in her match against Annie Park of Team USA during the final day singles matches of the Solheim Cup. (Photo: Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

Anna Nordqvist then beat Morgan Pressel in what was the day’s final match off the 1st tee 4 and 3 to give the Europeans a point and trim the American lead to 13½ – 12½.

It all came to down to a pair of missed putts on the Americans on a pair of holes.

Bronte Law rallied in her match against American Ally McDonald to tie it for the Euros with a 2 and 1 victory after McDonald missed a putt on 17 that would have extended their match.

Marina Alex missed a downhill birdie putt on 18 that would have clinched the Cup for the Americans by securing a tie with Suzann Pettersen. Alex played it safe on the approach to the 18th hole and that proved costly.

Pettersen sank her birdie putt to give the Europeans the 14½ points necessary to win the Cup from the Americans.

Sunday marked the first time the Solheim Cup entered final day’s play tied 8-8 since 2011. The Euros won that one in Ireland. The Americans won the Cup in 2015 and 2017. Two years ago, they held on to a five-point lead as Team USA won 16½ – 11½.

France’s Boutier and England’s Hall each finished 4-0 records in their Cup debuts, while American rookies Nelly and Jessica Korda went 3-0-1.

Sunday singles results

Danielle Kang (USA) def. Carlota Ciganda (EUR), 1Up
Nelly Korda (USA) def. Caroline Hedwall (EUR), 2Up
Georgia Hall (EUR) def. Lexi Thompson (USA), 2 and 1
Celine Boutier (EUR) def. Annie Park (USA), 2 and 1
Angel Yin (USA) def. Azahara Munoz (EUR), 2 and 1
Megan Khang (USA) vs. Charley Hull (EUR), Tied
Lizette Salas (USA) def. Anne van Dam (EUR), 1Up
Jessica Korda (USA) def. Caroline Masson (EUR), 3 and 2
Brittany Altomare (USA) def. Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR), 5 and 4
Suzann Pettersen (EUR) def. Marina Alex (USA), 1Up
Bronte Law (EUR) def Ally McDonald (USA) 2 and 1
Anna Nordqvist (EUR) def. Morgan Pressel (USA), 4 and 3

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