Winning a fourth consecutive Solheim Cup seemed a pipe dream for the European team based on the way things were going at the iconic Robert Trent Jones Golf Club (10-6 at the end of Saturday), but Europe pulled out all the stops in the individual matches (5.5 to 6.5 for the visitors) in search of an unlikely triumph.
The high level of golf from the Americans this week prevailed in the overall score: 15.5 to 12.5. The women captained by Stacy Lewis were eager to end the streak of the Old Continent and it was so when Lilia Vu managed to equalize their match and certified with her half point the 14.5 needed to return the crystal cup to them. By individual world ranking, the best Solheim of recent years did not disappoint. When it comes to the all-time results, it is 11-8 for the USA (including a tie in 2023 with which Europe retained the cup).
Wins by Megan Khang,Allisen Corpuz and Rose Zhang all but sealed the American victory early on, although it had all started with a 6&4 thrashing by Charley Hull over Nelly Korda. Europe led in four of the remaining matches and tied in the other four. The USA required a point and a half to take the cup, but a miracle could happen, so there was still hope.
No miracle for Europe
Andrea Lee managed to level her match down the stretch and pulled out half a point for the Americans, but Celine Boutier won on the 18th hole after dominating Lexi Thompson most of the match. Maja Stark, thrilled to finish under pressure on her last putt, tied with a Lauren Coughlin who has been a great discovery for Team USA.
Europe saved the first match ball there, until Lilia Vu, second in two majors this year, made a great birdie on the 18th and conquered the half point in front of Albane Valenzuela that the U.S. was missing to win the Solheim.
Vu was modest in triumph: “I don’t feel like I contributed much to the team this week, but the captain told us we had to fight for everything and that’s what I did.” She picked up one and a half points in total to Rose Zhang’s four, her team’s best in Grainsville. For Europe, Charley Hull recorded 3 and was the most outstanding. Carlota Ciganda was left with one point after losing 6&4 against Zhang in the fifth round of the singles.
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