The United States retained The Solheim Cup with a 16 ½ to 11 ½ victory over Europe at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa.

The hosts held a five-point lead going into Sunday and only needed to earn three and a half points from the 12 singles matches, whereas Europe needed nine, but the sides shared the singles matches equally.

Europe came out fighting and Anna Nordqvist went four-up after four holes in the top match, but the world number two Lexi Thompson rallied and was seven-under for eight holes from the 10th.

Thompson made two eagles at the 11th and 13th and then birdied the 16th to take a one-up lead heading into the last, but Nordqvist, who had won all three of her matches despite suffering from a bout of glandular fever, fired a superb 8-iron shot up the last for a conceded birdie putt to halve the match, which will be remembered as one of the best in Solheim Cup history.

Nordqvist said afterwards: “I’m just speechless right now. I played great all day. And the way she turned it around, I mean, I hit it to, what, three feet on 11 and she ends up making for eagle. And hit a great shot into 15, after we tied 14, made a good putt there. Didn’t quite expect her to make that putt and mine ended up lipping out, so quality golf from Lexi on the back nine. To be eight-under over seven holes, very impressed.”

Thompson said: “That was the weirdest round of golf I’ve ever played. Front nine I don’t think I was awake. And the back nine I just played lights out. Being 4-down or 3-down going into the back nine, I was just, like, I just have to go all in and go for it all, and that’s what I did. I think I shot 6-under total, two-over on my front, and eight-under on my back, so it was just a crazy round.”

There was a European point from the evergreen Catriona Matthew, who defeated Stacy Lewis 1 up to make it six wins, two losses and one half from her nine career singles matches.

She said later: “This is going to be my last one playing. You know, I was 3-down through 11 and I kind of said to myself this is going to be my last match, so give it my all, and got all the holes in, managed to play all 18, and just squeak it past, so I enjoyed the moment today, but I think it’s time for some younger players to take over.”

There was another point for the Europeans when Caroline Masson secured a 4&2 win over Michelle Wie.

“I was really fired up, to be honest. I feel like I played well all week. It just didn’t happen to get a point on the board for our team. It was a little frustrating. But I knew I was playing well. I just wanted to, obviously, get out somewhat early and make a little bit of a statement, too. And I think I got off to a hot start. I just putted really well, played pretty solid,” Masson said.

But then the momentum swung in America’s favour.

Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer posted victories for the home side, before Angel Yin halved her match against Karine Icher to reach 13 ½ points, effectively sealing the victory, with at least a half point already guaranteed from Lizette Salas.

Jodi Ewart Shadoff won the 17th to keep the match alive, but after her birdie putt on the last slipped past the hole, Salas holed a par putt from five feet to get the winning point for the United States team, taking the score to 14 ½.

Salas said: “This is what I work for all year and today’s probably the best golf I’ve played all year and to do that in front of my home crowd and to wear the red, white and blue is such an honour. The fact that I made the last putt to secure it is un-describable. I’m still shaking, and just glad I got it done for Team USA.”

With tears of joy and draped in the United States flag, the daughter of Mexican immigrants added:I have the best parents in the world. We’re just glad to be here and we’re proud Americans, and this is really special.”

With the match over as a contest, Charley Hull completed a victory over Brittany Lang on the 18th and Carlota Ciganda wrapped up a 4&3 victory over Brittany Lincicome. Madelene Sagstrom then earned her first point for the European team with a 3&2 victory over fellow Solheim Cup rookie Austin Ernst.

There were also two more points for the United States when Gerina Piller earned a 4&2 victory over Florentyna Parker and Danielle Kang defeated Emily Kristine Pedersen by 3&1.

Juli Inkster, who became the second United States captain to achieve two victories, after Judy Rankin in 1996 and 1998, said afterwards: “I’m glad we had a lead because Europe came out firing and I knew they would.

“They just came in in good form. They came in ready to play. They knew what this golf course demanded. We had great preparation. We played loose. And we played free. We played for each other.

“I’m sure Europe had a good time, too. But we tried not to make anything too regimented, just let them do their thing. We had some great team-room dinners and had a lot of banter and a lot of ping-pong. But it’s amazing. I just can’t believe we won.”

After making it 10 wins for the United States from 15 contests, Inkster congratulated Annika Sorenstam and her team for an amazing match in Des Moines.

Sorenstam said: “We just got outplayed, there’s no doubt about it. I’m so proud how hard they fought. And it’s not easy coming out here on a Sunday with the team so far behind, but I’m proud of them. They’re out there fighting every single match, every single point. What can I say? Just congratulate the U.S.A. because they played some awesome golf.

“Sometimes it’s not always about the results. I must say that this has been a lot about the journey. I’ve learned a lot the last 18 months. It’s been a pleasure to represent the European Tour. I’m so proud of these young girls, and to get to know them, new friendships, new memories.”

When asked if she would like to continue as Captain, Sorenstam replied: “I want to give someone else the chance to do it. It’s time to move the torch to someone else and we have some great candidates.”

Despite the result, there were 12 happy faces on the European team and the praise for Sorenstam was unanimous as an ‘exceptional captain.’

The next Solheim Cup will be played at Gleneagles, in Scotland, on 13th to 15th September 2019. Tickets will go on sale on 24th August at SolheimCup2019.com.

Final Results and Pairings

2017 SOLHEIM CUP

Day One – Friday 18th August

Morning Foursomes Results

Melissa Reid and Charley Hull (EUR) halved with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA)

Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson (EUR) 1up

Georgia Hall and Anna Nordqvist (EUR) defeated Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) 3&1

Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 1 up

Result Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Afternoon Four Ball Results

Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA) defeated Madelene Sagstrom and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) 3&1

Angel Yin and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen (EUR) 6&5

Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang (USA) defeated Florentyna Parker and Caroline Masson (EUR)

Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) defeated Charley Hull and Georgia Hall (EUR) 2&1

Result Europe 0 USA 4

Cumulative Result Europe 2 ½ USA 5 ½

 

Day Two – Saturday 19th August

Morning Foursomes Results:

Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) defeated Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson (EUR) 5&3

Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) defeated Mel Reid and Emily Kristine Pedersen (EUR) 5&3

Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 2&1

Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher (EUR) defeated Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA) 2&1

Result Europe 2 USA 2

Cumulative Result Europe 4 ½ USA 7 ½

Afternoon Four Ball Results:

Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome (USA) defeated Mel Reid and Carlota Ciganda (EUR) 2 up

Anna Nordqvist and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) defeated Lizette Salas and Angel Yin (USA) 4&2

Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) defeated Karine Icher and Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) 2&1

Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) defeated Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall (EUR) 4&2

Result: Europe 1 USA 3

Cumulative Result Europe 5 ½ USA 10 ½

Day Three – Sunday 20th August

Sunday Singles Results:

Anna Nordqvist (EUR) halved with Lexi Thompson (USA)

Paula Creamer (USA) defeated Georgia Hall (EUR) 1 up

Cristie Kerr (USA) defeated Mel Reid (EUR) 2&1

Catriona Matthew (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis (USA) 1 up

Karine Icher (EUR) halved with Angel Yin (USA)

Caroline Masson (EUR) defeated Michelle Wie (USA) 4&2

Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) 1 up

Charley Hull (EUR) defeated Brittany Lang (USA) 1 up

Carlota Ciganda (EUR) v. Brittany Lincicome (USA) 4&3

Gerina Piller (USA) defeated Florentyna Parker (EUR) 4&2

Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) defeated Austin Ernst (USA) 3&2

Danielle Kang (USA) defeated Emily Pedersen (EUR) 3&1

Result: Europe 6 USA 6

Cumulative Result Europe 11 ½ USA 16 ½

The United States extended their lead to five points at the end of day two of the 15th Solheim Cup and will need 3 ½ points from the 12 singles matches to retain the trophy at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa, while Europe needs nine points.

The United States needs 14 points to retain the Cup, while Europe require 14 ½ to win outright.

European duo Anna Nordqvist and Jodi Ewart Shadoff defeated Lizette Salas and Angel Yin 4&2 in the second afternoon four-ball match, but the United States took the other three matches and Europe will now need to pull off the biggest comeback in Solheim Cup history.

That is exactly what the United States did two years ago in Germany when they overcame a four-point deficit and pulled off the largest comeback to date.

This is only the third time that the United States has led going into the singles matches and they won on both of the previous two occasions, in 1990 and 1998.

However, European Captain Annika Sorenstam told the media that it was still “Mission Possible.”

At the 2012 Ryder Cup, named the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ by the media, the European team needed eight-and-a-half points for the greatest comeback in history but Sorenstam went further.

“There have been a lot of comebacks in sports in general. Let’s not just focus on just golf. Sports, and life in general. March 16, 2001, before I teed off, nobody had shot 59. I’m still the only one that’s done that. I know it’s possible. There are a lot of things I can bring up that’s possible. And history can be made. So, like I said, hope is the last thing that’s going to leave us and we’re determined. We didn’t fly these miles to not put up a fight. The fight is not over yet.”

Earlier in the morning, the teams shared the foursomes, with two points each. Charley Hull rested for the whole of Saturday’s play with a wrist injury, while Anna Nordqvist, who has glandular fever, played 36 holes and is so far undefeated in the contest, with three wins from three matches and a 2017 record of 100 per cent.

The afternoon’s four-ball matches featured four tight battles. Brittany Lang and Brittany Linciome combined to shoot 12 under in their 2-up win over Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid, who hung right in with the Americans with a 10-under round of their own only to be beaten by a birdie on the 18th green.

In the second match of the afternoon, Nordqvist holed a 4-footer for birdie at No. 2 to take the lead and the Europeans held the advantage from there.

Salas brought the huge crowd to their feet with a 50-foot birdie putt from the fringe on No. 5. But Nordqvist birdied No. 8 to take the Europeans 2 up, and Ewart Shadoff contributed a hole-winning birdie at No. 14 to put them three clear of Salas and Yin. Salas nearly holed out for eagle at No. 15, but the hole was halved with short birdies, and Ewart Shadoff won the match with a birdie at the 17th.

“There were a lot of birdies out there, not just between me and Anna, but Lizette and Angel played great, too,” said Ewart Shadoff. “It was a lot of fun playing with Anna. We have very similar games. We were there for each other when we needed each other.”

In the third match, Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst defeated Karine Icher and Madelene Sagstrom, 2 and 1.

“You have to make birdies in match play,” said Creamer. “And this golf course, it’s good to be aggressive. But you can’t be overly aggressive, just because of where some of the pin placements are. But when your partner’s playing well, it makes you feel good.”

The fourth match of the afternoon was another close affair, but ultimately Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson defeated Georgia Hall and Catriona Matthew 4&2.

The American duo started strong with victories on two of the first three holes before the Europeans got one back with an eagle from Hall at No. 4.

The Americans pushed their advantage back to two with a Thompson birdie on No. 6, a lead they held until the 10th, when Matthew snuck a birdie in on the left side. Thompson quickly answered with a birdie of her own on No. 11 to extend the lead.

After an extraordinary stretch saw both sides matching clutch putts from holes 11-13, Team USA went dormie when Kerr holed out a bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 15th, sending the crowds into a frenzy. When Matthew and Hall narrowly missed birdie putts on the 16th, the duo conceded a birdie to Thompson to wrap up the match.

“We just knew they were going to play really tough and they did,” said Kerr. “They made a lot of birdies and they stuffed it in some holes that we said I had to make putts on top of them. Lexi had to make putts on top of them. And we really ham and egged it out well there. I think that’s why we make such a good team because we’re there for each other.”

United States Team Captain Juli Inkster said: I just love where my players’ heads are at right now. They know – they haven’t said one thing in the locker room. They just were just all putting the team, the lineup together and asking everybody where they would like to fall, where they felt comfortable.

“So we’ve got our work cut out for us, and I know Annika’s team will not quit, so we’ll be ready for the task.”

The five-point difference ties the largest margin going into the last day with 1998 and 2000, when the USA and Europe led respectively before going on to achieve victory.

The singles times for Sunday have been brought forward two hours due to the threat of storms in the afternoon and the first match tees off at 9.31am CT.

Day 2 Results and Pairings

2017 SOLHEIM CUP

Day One – Friday 18th August

Morning Foursomes Results

Match 1

8.10am Melissa Reid and Charley Hull (EUR) halved with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA)

Match 2

8.22am Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson (EUR) 1up

Match 3

8.34am Georgia Hall and Anna Nordqvist (EUR) defeated Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) 3&1

Match 4

8.46am Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 1 up

Result Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Afternoon Four Ball Results

Match 5

1:20 p.m. –Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA) defeated Madelene Sagstrom and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) 3&1

Match 6

1:35 p.m. – Angel Yin and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen (EUR) 6&5

Match 7

1:50 p.m. – Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang (USA) defeated Florentyna Parker and Caroline Masson (EUR) 3&2

Match 8

2:05 p.m. – Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) defeated Charley Hull and Georgia Hall (EUR) 2&1

Result Europe 0 USA 4

Cumulative Result Europe 2 ½ USA 5 ½

Saturday Foursomes Results:

Match 9

7.10am Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) defeated Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson (EUR) 5&3

Match 10

7.22am Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) defeated Mel Reid and Emily Kristine Pedersen (EUR) 5&3

Match 11

7.34am Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 2&1

Match 12

7.46am Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher (EUR) defeated Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA) 2&1

Result Europe 2 USA 2

Cumulative Result Europe 4 ½ USA 7 ½

Saturday Four Ball Results:

Match 13

12.10 pm Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome (USA) defeated Mel Reid and Carlota Ciganda (EUR) 2 up

Match 14

12.25 pm Anna Nordqvist and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) defeated Lizette Salas and Angel Yin (USA) 4&2

12:40 pm Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) defeated Karine Icher and Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) 2&1

12:55 pm Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) defeated Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall (EUR) 4&2

Result: Europe 1 USA 3

Cumulative Result Europe 5 ½ USA 10 ½

Sunday Singles Pairings:

9:31 a.m. – Anna Nordqvist (EUR) v. Lexi Thompson (USA)

9:42 a.m. – Georgia Hall (EUR) v. Paula Creamer (USA)

9:53 a.m. – Mel Reid (EUR) v. Cristie Kerr (USA)

10:04 a.m. – Catriona Matthew (EUR) v. Stacy Lewis (USA)

10:15 a.m. – Karine Icher (EUR) v. Angel Yin (USA)

10:26 a.m. – Caroline Masson (EUR) v. Michelle Wie (USA)

10:37 a.m. – Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) v. Lizette Salas (USA)

10:48 a.m. – Charley Hull (EUR) v. Brittany Lang (USA)

10:59 a.m. – Carlota Ciganda (EUR) v. Brittany Lincicome (USA)

11:10 a.m. – Florentyna Parker (EUR) v. Gerina Piller (USA)

11:21 a.m. – Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) v. Austin Ernst (USA)

11:32 a.m. – Emily Pedersen (EUR) v. Danielle Kang (USA)

The United States remained in the driving seat with a score of 7 ½ against Europe’s 4 ½ as the morning foursomes on day two of The Solheim Cup at Des Moines Golf and Country Club ended in a tie.

The USA won the top two matches as Europe won the last two for a score of 2-2 in the third session.

In the first match of the day, Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson defeated Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson 5 and 3.

Kerr passed USA Captain Juli Inkster for the most points in USA Solheim Cup history with 19. She also now has the most match wins in USA history with 16, passing Inkster’s 15.

For the second straight day, Kerr and Thompson won the first hole to grab a 1-up lead over their European counterparts, but while on Friday they ended up halving their match, Saturday was never in doubt and they never trailed.

“She putted amazing today, walked in so many putts,” said Thompson. “I just gave her the opportunities and she was just rolling the ball.”

It was another comprehensive 5 and 3 win, for Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst who defeated Mel Reid and Emily Pedersen, in the second match. Creamer now has 8.5 points in foursomes, more than any other United States player.

The Europeans struggled on the back nine, making bogeys at Nos. 10-13 to extend the American advantage to 4 up, and the match ended with a conceded birdie for Team USA at the 15th.

“There’s nothing better than getting a point for your team,” said Creamer. “Yesterday, Austin and I played pretty well. We just went against a strong team. We were definitely motivated to get back out here and get our first point. The rookie over here, I wanted to be with her when she got her first one.”

In the third match, the momentum swung the other way as Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall partnered successfully for a second day, defeating Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller by 2 and 1.

The European duo made a quick birdie on the first hole to take an early advantage before the Americans bounced back with wins on holes 4 and 5 to take a 1-up lead. A costly bogey on the next hole squared the match again where it remained until the 10th hole, where Europe won the hole with a conceded par.

The lead extended to 2 up when Nordqvist drilled a 6-footer for par on the par-4 13th. After holes 15 and 16 were halved, Hall made a 12-footer on 16 to go dormie with two to play and put the Europeans on the board by making a 10-footer for par on 17 to put the first blue on the board.

“Yeah, kind of felt it today,” said Hall. “It’s easy to feel like that when you’ve got a partner like Anna. She played amazing both matches. And to get to have some points with her, I’m very happy and we both played well today.”

Moments later, on the 17th green, Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher defeated Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang 2 and 1 in the final morning match.

Matthew and Icher, who have a combined 13 Solheim Cup appearances between them, were down early, with the Americans birdieing the par-3 third to go 1 up. Matthew made birdie from three feet at No. 5 to go all square before Icher’s 20-foot birdie putt at No. 8 gave the Europeans the lead. The experienced pair remained cool under pressure and in the end, Icher’s short par putt at No. 17 sealed a second point for Team Europe.

“I think that was a huge point,” said Matthew, who was named to the team on Wednesday to replace the injured Suzann Pettersen. “We certainly didn’t want to lose another session. Ideally, we wanted to win that session, but to come out with a draw, hopefully we can come out all guns blazing this afternoon and get more points.”

Sorenstam chose to rest Charley Hull for both the foursomes and four-balls on day two, as she was continuing to experience discomfort from a long-standing wrist injury, although all of the team’s 12 players will have to play in the Sunday singles.

The Americans ended the session fairly happy, but both sides were ready for some thrilling four-ball matches, as play continued in hot and sunny conditions on Saturday afternoon.

Day 2 Results and Pairings

2017 SOLHEIM CUP

Day One – Friday 18th August

Morning Foursomes Results

Match 1

8.10am Melissa Reid and Charley Hull (EUR) halved with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA)

Match 2

8.22am Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson (EUR) 1up

Match 3

8.34am Georgia Hall and Anna Nordqvist (EUR) defeated Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) 3&1

Match 4

8.46am Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 1 up

Result Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Afternoon Four Ball Results

Match 5

1:20 p.m. –Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA) defeated Madelene Sagstrom and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) 3&1

Match 6

1:35 p.m. – Angel Yin and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen (EUR) 6&5

Match 7

1:50 p.m. – Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang (USA) defeated Florentyna Parker and Caroline Masson (EUR) 3&2

Match 8

2:05 p.m. – Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) defeated Charley Hull and Georgia Hall (EUR) 2&1

Result Europe 0 USA 4

Cumulative Result Europe 2 ½ USA 5 ½

 

Day Two – Saturday 19th August

Saturday Foursomes Results:

Match 9

7.10am Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) defeated Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson (EUR) 5&3

Match 10

7.22am Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) defeated Mel Reid and Emily Kristine Pedersen (EUR) 5&3

Match 11

7.34am Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 2&1

Match 12

7.46am Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher (EUR) defeated Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA) 2&1

Result Europe 2 USA 2

Cumulative Result Europe 4 ½ USA 7 ½

 

Saturday Four Ball Pairings:

Match 13

12.10 pm Mel Reid and Carlota Ciganda (EUR) versus Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome (USA)

Match 14

12.25 pm Anna Nordqvist and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) versus Lizette Salas and Angel Yin (USA)

Match 15

12:40 pm Karine Icher and Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) versus Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA)

Match 16

12:55 pm Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall (EUR) versus Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA)

Day two is up and running with the morning foursomes under way at the 15th Solheim Cup.

European Captain Annika seemed very relaxed on the first tee, albeit focused on the task ahead. She said: “We had a little bit of a rally session last night. Of course, everyone was very tired but we had a talk and I think we are on the same page. Tomorrow is behind us and today is a new day.

“The word rest is not part of this week. It’s all about adrenaline and go, go, go. They can rest next week. It’s only 7.30am in the morning and everybody is rocking again. We are all fired up for today and it’s going to be a great day.”

New foursome pairings for the European Team are Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson in the top match, who are playing against Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson, followed by Mel Reid and Emily Kristine Pedersen in the second match against Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst.

Annika has kept 50 per cent of her foursome pairings from yesterday, with Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall out third this morning, playing Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller, followed by Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher who are taking on Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang.

United States Captain Juli Inkster, whose team held a three-point lead going into day two after a clean sweep in the first day four-balls, said: “I know that Annika will be looking to get some revenge. Our players are fired up and ready to go. I’m planning on not playing anyone four matches before the last day but we’ll see how it goes.”

At the start of the day, the scores were 5 ½ - 2 ½ in America’s favour. The United States needs 14 points to retain The Solheim Cup while Europe needs 14 ½ points to take the trophy home.

The United States produced a birdie fest on Friday afternoon to claim a three-point lead over Europe at the end of the first day of the 15th Solheim Cup at Des Moines Golf & Country Club in Iowa.

Europe led the morning foursomes 2 ½ - 1 ½ but Captain Juli Inkster’s Solheim Cup team achieved the United States’ first clean sweep in a single session, winning all the afternoon four-ball matches to give their side a 5 ½ - 2 ½ lead heading into the second day.

Lizette Salas and Danielle Salas, who won their morning foursomes match against Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson 1 up, proved to be the stars of the first day as they both earned a second point in the four-balls.

Lizette Salas was exceptional as she guided 18-year-old rookie Angel Yin to a 6&5 victory over Ciganda and European rookie Emily Kristine Pedersen for the first red point of the afternoon.

Kang also had a hot putter partnering Michelle Wie to a 3 and 1 victory over Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Madelene Sagstrom.

However, the Brittanys, Lincicome and Lang, who nickname themselves the ‘Killer Bs’ came out fresh and full of energy as they took on the German-speaking pair, Masson and Florentyna Parker, eventually winning by 3&2.

Although Charley Hull and Georgia Hall were only one down with two holes to play in the anchor match, Stacy Lewis made a birdie putt on the 17th green to seal the fourth four-ball match 2&1, Hull having been struggling with an injured wrist throughout the round.

European Captain Annika Sorenstam said: “It wasn’t the afternoon we had wished for, but the players fought very hard. I must say the U.S. team played very well. “They made a lot of birdies. They made a lot of putts. And we just didn’t have the same flow. So overall, just still feel pretty happy how we had the setup. And like I said, the girls fought to the end.

“It’s just one of those days in golf and luckily this was just the first day. It’s almost like playing 27 holes out of 72, which means you have a lot of holes left, and it’s a marathon. The players are back at the hotel and grabbing something to eat, and we’re going to start out fresh tomorrow. The spirit is still there, if not stronger. You get a little fired up when you see an afternoon like this. “We knew coming in here it was going to be a challenge. I have fighters on the team and I believe in them, so we’re just going to forget about this day. Tomorrow’s Saturday. New points. Go out there and grab as many as we can.”

However, Inkster also compared her mission to a marathon and said: “I’ll tell (my players), but I think they know, that this is a distance run. It’s a marathon. It’s not a sprint. We have to do the work. We have to do the process. We gotta go out there, and 36 holes, we got eight points out there tomorrow. That’s a lot of points and we need to get a lot of those. And that’s what I’m going to tell them.”

Saturday’s foursomes matches will begin at 7.10am.

NUMBERS TO KNOW AFTER FRIDAY AT THE SOLHEIM CUP

0 – Number of points earned by Team Europe in the afternoon four-balls

3 – Lead that Team USA holds over Team Europe, which ties 1998 for the largest lead after the first day for the Americans

4 – Number of points earned by Team USA in the afternoon four-balls, the first time in Solheim Cup history that the USA has swept a single session

18 – Career number of points at the Solheim Cup for Cristie Kerr, putting her one point behind Juli Inkster for the most points in USA history

2017 SOLHEIM CUP

Day One – Friday 18th August

Morning Foursomes Results

Match 1

8.10am Melissa Reid and Charley Hull (EUR) halved with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA)

Match 2

8.22am Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson (EUR) 1up

Match 3

8.34am Georgia Hall and Anna Nordqvist (EUR) defeated Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) 3&1

Match 4

8.46am Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 1 up

Result Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Afternoon Four Ball Results

Match 5

1:20 p.m. –Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA) defeated Madelene Sagstrom and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) 3&1

Match 6

1:35 p.m. – Angel Yin and Lizette Salas (USA) defeated Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen (EUR) 6&5

Match 7

1:50 p.m. – Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang (USA) defeated Florentyna Parker and Caroline Masson (EUR) 3&2

Match 8

2:05 p.m. – Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) defeated Charley Hull and Georgia Hall (EUR) 2&1

 

Result Europe 0 USA 4

Cumulative Result Europe 2 ½ USA 5 ½

Saturday Foursomes Pairings:

Match 9

7.10am Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson (EUR) versus Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA)

Match 10

7.22am Mel Reid and Emily Kristine Pedersen (EUR) versus Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA)

Match 11

7.34am Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall (EUR) versus Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA)

Match 12

7.46am Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher (EUR) versus Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA)

Team Europe held a slim one point lead over the United States after the opening Solheim Cup foursomes at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa after a tense morning when three of the four matches went to the 18th hole.

In the first match, Mel Reid hit the first tee shot for Europe and together with Charley Hull halved with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson, the world number two.

The Americans got off to a quick start, with Lexi Thompson’s bomb of a tee shot with her 3-wood at the driveable par-4 first hole leading to a Cristie Kerr birdie from 12 feet that immediately electrified the Des Moines crowd. The Europeans battled back to take the first lead at the par-5 fifth, where Kerr was forced to make a scary punch-out from behind a tree and a nice approach from Mel Reid led to a winning birdie from Hull.

The Europeans extended their lead to 2 up through 16 when Hull converted a masterful chip-in for birdie at the par-4 16th. But Team USA took the 17th with a par from Thompson, and in her signature style, Kerr walked in her birdie at the 18th to secure the halved point.

“We made a huge par on 17, and sometimes all you need in this format is just a little bit of momentum,” said Kerr. “And then we played a perfect hole on 18 to get the halve and it was very necessary.”

Hull said: “Lexi hit a good shot into the last and Cristie made a good putt, but it was an up-and-down round today, really back and forth, so a halve is not too bad. It’s not a loss.”

In the second match, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas defeated Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson, 1 up. Kang, a Cup rookie and recent Major champion, pumped up the crowd for her first shot as a Solheim Cup player. Kang and Lizette Salas rode that momentum to a winning birdie at the first hole. Another birdie, this time from Salas, at No. 5 extended the American advance to 2 up over Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson.

The Europeans stayed close, with Masson’s 20-foot birdie at No. 11 cutting the American lead to 1 up. At the par-3 14th, Salas’ tee shot went over the hole and they could not convert the up and down.

With the match now all square, Europe found trouble off the 15th tee and needed a TV crane moved to hit their second shot. Ciganda eventually power-lipped out a short par attempt and the USA regained a 1-up lead. Salas’ superb chip from the right rough at the par-4 16th led to Kang’s hole-winning 4-foot birdie putt. That putt turned out to be the winning shot, as although the Europeans won the 17th to take the match to No. 18, Kang holed another putt from eight feet and the Americans ultimately prevailed, 1 up.

In the third match, the experienced Anna Nordqvist and Cup rookie Georgia Hall never trailed as they defeated Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst, 3 and 1.

The European side took the early lead when the Americans bogeyed the par-4 second hole. Nordqvist and Hall extended the advantage to 2 up on several occasions, although Creamer and Ernst kept the match close through 15 holes.

At the par-4 16th, Creamer’s tee shot found the gallery and led to bogey and when the Americans could not convert par at No. 17, they conceded the European par and victory.

“Georgia is a rookie but she certainly didn’t play like one,” said Nordqvist. “I’m very happy to be her partner today. She played great and made a few putts in there, too. I feel like we had a really good morning and excited to be here, and just can’t beat this atmosphere.”

Hall said that the experience of winning her first Solheim Cup point more than lived up to her expectations.

“Anna is a fantastic partner. I couldn’t wish for anybody better. She holed some great putts, especially back nine in our match, and I kind of made a few putts in the first nine., so I think we went really well and I’m delighted.”

In the fourth match, Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew took a huge point against Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller. The American duo held a 2-up advantage over Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew through 12 holes, but the match quickly turned thanks to Icher’s hot putting hand. Her 40-footer for birdie at No. 13 cut the American lead to 1 up, and another Icher birdie at No. 14 squared the match. The Europeans took their first lead at the 16th hole, when Icher made a short par putt and Lewis and Piller both missed their putts. Finally, on 18, Lewis blasted her 30-foot birdie 8 feet past the hole, and Piller’s comeback attempt came up just short.

“It was a tough game at the beginning; they gave nothing,” said Icher. “They played great. They are both really, really good players. So obviously it’s not easy to beat them. We’re not the favourites. But the door opened on 13 and 14, and we took it. It’s a great feeling now.”

Matthew admitted: “I was shaking like a leaf on the first green. I managed to hole a putt. But I don’t think it matters how many you’ve played in, you’re still nervous. But you soon settle down and… I had a great partner.

“If Gerina had holed that putt, it would have been a whole different story and we would have felt like we maybe lost half a point there. So obviously we go in with some big momentum and it gets them fired up for this afternoon.”

Friday Morning Foursomes Results

Match 1

8.10am Melissa Reid and Charley Hull (EUR) halved with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA)

Match 2

8.22am Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Masson (EUR) were defeated by Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas (USA) 1up

Match 3

8.34am Georgia Hall and Anna Nordqvist (EUR) defeated Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) 3&1

Match 4

8.46am Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew (EUR) defeated Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 1 up

Result: Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Friday Afternoon Four Ball Pairings

Match 5

1:20 p.m. – Madelene Sagstrom and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) v. Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA)

Match 6

1:35 p.m. – Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen (EUR) v. Angel Yin and Lizette Salas (USA)

Match 7

1:50 p.m. – Florentyna Parker and Caroline Masson (EUR) v. Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang (USA)

Match 8

2:05 p.m. – Charley Hull and Georgia Hall (EUR) v. Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA)