Europe finishes strong to win Solheim Cup

Europe won the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2003 on Sunday, finishing powerfully to beat the United States 15-13 at Killeen Castle.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen turned the momentum Europe's way when she recovered from 1 down with birdies at the last three holes to beat Michelle Wie by one hole.

MORE: USA rallies to tie on Day 2
Her win left Europe needing just one point from the last two singles to win the trophy but the side captained by Alison Nicholas did even better.

Caroline Hedwall of the Netherlands — 2 down with two holes to play — earned a crucial halved match to give Europe a 14-13 lead when rookie Ryann O'Toole bogeyed the 17th and 18th.

Spain's Azahara Munoz birdied the 17th in the final singles to go 1 up on Angela Stanford and guarantee Europe's victory before closing out a one hole win at the last.

"I've been in agony all day," European captain Alison Nicholas said. "The players have had such heart and passion and purpose. I hand it all to them. They've been unbelievable."

Nicholas said Europe's win was the greatest achievement of her career.

"They were so up for it and they believed in themselves," she said. "They just fought to the end. The rookies have done fantastic. The experienced players have done really well as well. It's just been a real team effort."

American captain Rosie Jones also praised her players.

"They fought so hard and really came together in the last couple of days to do so well, and it's just really hard," Jones said.

Jones declined to blame O'Toole for the defeat.

"You know what, she played awesome," Jones said. "She's undefeated in her first Solheim Cup. That is just unbelievable … She feels bad because she was 2 up coming in.

"But I tell you what, she got three points this week, and I don't know if anybody else did that. So that's pretty awesome."

Play was suspended three times during the day due to adverse weather conditions but the 28,000 strong crowd saw an exciting finish.

The sides were tied 8-8 entering Sunday's 12 singles matches but Europe won the session 7-5 with American Cristie Kerr forced to forfeit her match with Karen Stupples.

Kerr, who was set to play in the 12th singles match, was unable to start due to a wrist injury.

"I'm devastated that I couldn't play today to help represent my team," Kerr said. "I tried my best but I couldn't hold the golf club."

The home side raced 11-8 ahead when Catriona Matthew soundly defeated Paula Creamer 6 and 5 and Sophie Gustafason beat Stacy Lewis by two holes.

The Americans hit back when Morgan Pressel beat Anna Nordqvist 2 and 1 and Brittany Lang defeated Sandra Gall 6 and 5.

Veteran Juli Inkster gave the U.S. hope when she won the 18th with a par four to snatch a halved match with Laura Davies before Christina Kim beat Swede Maria Hjorth 4 and 2 to level the scores.

Two hole wins for Europe's Christel Boeljon over Brittany Lincicome and American Vicky Hurst over Melissa Reid left the match riding on the last three singles.

With Stanford and Munoz all square in the final singles, the game between Pettersen and Wie became crucial.

Pettersen birdied the par-three 16th from 18 feet to square the match but Wie birdied the 17th from 20 feet to remain all square after the Norwegian had hit her approach to three feet to set up an easy birdie.

Pettersen fired a brilliant approach to eight feet at the last but while the American came out to four feet from greenside side, Europe's top ranked player holed the birdie putt.

"We knew it was going to come down to the last couple (of matches) if we had a chance and this is just fantastic," Pettersen said. "Absolutely brilliant team and what a way to finish on home soil."

Munoz turned the tide Europe's way with a birdie from three feet at the 17th and when O'Toole overshot the 18th against Hedwall and then failed to save par, Europe was guaranteed victory.

Sunday results

Europe 15 United States 13

Singles

Europe 7, United States 5

Catriona Matthew, Europe, def. Paula Creamer, United States, 6 and 5

Sophie Gustafson, Europe, def. Stacy Lewis, United States, 2 up

Morgan Pressel, United States, def. Anna Nordqvist, Europe, 2 and 1

Juli Inkster, United States, halved with Laura Davies, Europe

Vicky Hurst, United States, def. Mel Reid, Europe, 2 up

Christel Boeljon, Europe, def. Brittany Lincicome, United States, 2 up

Brittany Lang, United States, def. Sandra Gal, Europe, 6 and 5

Christina Kim, United States, def. Maria Hjorth, Europe, 4 and 2

Suzann Pettersen, Europe, def. Michelle Wie, United States, 1 up

Ryann O'Toole, United States, halved with Caroline Hedwall, Europe

Azahara Munoz, Europe, def. Angela Stanford, United States, 1 up

Karen Stupples, Europe, def. Cristie Kerr, United States, walkover

Saturday results

Foursomes

Europe 2½, United States 1½

Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson, Europe def. Angela Stanford and Stacy Lewis, United States 6 and 5

Morgan Pressel and Ryann O'Toole, United States def. Karen Stupples and Christel Boeljon, Europe 3 and 2

Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist, Europe def. Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster, United States 3 and 2

Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer, United States halved with Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz, Europe

Fourball

United States 3, Europe 1

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid, Europe, def. Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie, United States, 4 and 3

Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr, United States, def. Suzann Pettersen and Caroline Hedwall, Europe, 1 up

Stacy Lewis and Ryann O'Toole, United States, def. Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon, Europe, 2 and 1

Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome, United States, def. Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz, Europe, 3 and 1

Friday results

Foursomes

Europe 2, United States 2

Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr, United States, def. Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist, Europe, 2 and 1

Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome, United States, def. Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid, Europe, 1 up

Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz, Europe, def. Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford, United States, 3 and 2

Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson, Europe, def. Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster, United States, 1 up

Fourball

Europe 2½, United States 1½

Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer, United States, def. Laura Davies and Melissa Reid, Europe, 1 up

Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal, Europe, halved with Christina Kim and Ryann O'Toole, United States

Sophie Gustafsson and Caroline Hedwall, Europe, def. Vicky Hurst and Brittany Lincicome, United States, 5 and 4

Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist, Europe, def. Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie, United States, 2 up

USA rallies to tie Europe 8-8 in Solheim Cup

Cristie Kerr of the USA shows her frustration during Day 2 of the Solheim Cup on Saturday in Dunsany, Ireland.


The United States staged a dramatic rally to win the afternoon fourball session 3-1 Saturday and tie Europe 8-all at the Solheim Cup.

The Americans rallied to win the last three matches, leaving the sides tied heading into the 12 singles matches on Sunday. The U.S. is trying to win its fourth consecutive Solheim Cup.

MORE: Europe grabs Day 1 lead

Europe won the morning foursomes to extend its lead to 7-5 over the Americans in the biennial match play competition.

Veteran Laura Davies became the all-time Solheim Cup points scorer at 24½ when she teamed up with Melissa Reid to beat Americans Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie 4 and 3 and put Europe ahead 8-5 at Killeen Castle.

In 2005 and 2009 when the matches were tied going into the final day, the U.S. won the singles to lift the trophy. The U.S. needs 14 points to retain the Solheim Cup, while Europe needs 14 1/2 points to win for the first time since 2003.

"I thought we played with a lot of heart yesterday, but coming back and tying up the matches today was just really huge," U.S. captain Rosie Jones said.

U.S. rookie Stacy Lewis earned her first point when she teamed up with the fellow first-timer Ryann O'Toole to beat Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon 2 and 1. O'Toole was regarded as a wildcard but proved herself by registering two and a half points.

"I feel very calm and confident," O'Toole said.

Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr reduced the lead to 8-7 when they beat Europe's top player Suzann Pettersen and impressive rookie Caroline Hedwall by one hole.

Pettersen holed a 40-foot birdie putt at the 16th to square the match, but Pressel sank a winning birdie at the next and the held on for the win at the last hole.

Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome completed the U.S. comeback when they rallied from one down at the turn to defeat Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz 3 and 1.

"Those last three points were huge for us," said Creamer, who has won three and a half points out of four this week. "Just the momentum, the team room will have a great vibe. We're all very pumped up. We want to do really well. Especially going into singles, we feel like everybody is where we want to be."

A four-time major winner, Davies overtook Annika Sorenstam to become the all-time Solheim Cup points scorer. Davies has won 24½ points in 45 matches in 12 Solheim Cups, while Sorenstam won 24 points in 37 matches in eight appearances.

"It's nice to finally get past Annika, who obviously has a spectacular record," Davies said.

The 47-year-old Davies will face 51-year-old Juli Inkster in singles on Sunday.

"We've messed up the singles so many times," Davies said. "This time we need to go out there and not worry."

European captain Alison Nicholas agreed with those sentiments.

"I'm very confident in my players," she said. "I knew it was going to be all about (Sunday) anyway. I know they're pretty up for it, and they're feeling good."

Saturday results

Score after Day 2: USA 8, Europe 8

Foursomes

Europe 2½, United States 1½

Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson, Europe, def. Angela Stanford and Stacy Lewis, USA, 6 and 5

Morgan Pressel and Ryann O'Toole, USA, def. Karen Stupples and Christel Boeljon, Europe, 3 and 2

Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist, Europe, def. Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster, USA, 3 and 2

Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer, USA, halved with Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz, Europe

Fourballs

United States 3, Europe 1

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid, Europe, def. Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie, USA, 4 and 3

Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr, USA, def. Suzann Pettersen and Caroline Hedwall, Europe, 1 up

Stacy Lewis and Ryann O'Toole, USA, def. Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon, Europe, 2 and 1

Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome, USA, def. Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz, Europe, 3 and 1