Golf News - Sonlheim Cup - Europe’s women golfers end an eight year wait to beat the Yanks
Last updated 9/26/2011 9:58:58 AM
Golf News - Sonlheim Cup - Europe's women golfers end an eight year wait to beat the Yanks
Europe's women clawed their way back from the brink of yet another defeat against America in the Solheim Cup to snatch an unlikely victory at Killeen Castle in Ireland.
Dodging the showers and the lightning the American girls had fought back on the final day to lead for the first time and were set to extend a winning sequence dating back eight years.
But they reckoned without the never say die attitude of the European girls who produced a dramatic late surge over the final few holes to snatch an epic Cup victory.
World number two Suzann Petterson was the inspiration as she birdied the final three holes to beat Michelle Wie on the final green.
Before the Americans could comprehend that massive turn round Swedish newcomer Caroline Hedwall won the last two holes to grab a half point against Ryann O'Toole, who had the agony of bogeying the two closing holes.
The home supporters could scarcely believe their eye –and ears- as the European fans, who had been playing second fiddle to the noisy girls from across the Atlantic, erupted as Azahara Munoz followed up her birdie on the 17th to move into an unbeatable position against Angela Stanford.
Europe were suddenly able to start celebrating a famous win as this 15-13 victory ended a run of three successive defeats to ensure
Europe a remarkable treble as they won the third of three team competitions against the States, the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup and now the Solheim Cup.
On a day disrupted by the weather, driving rain and wind and the threat of lightning forced play to be suspended three times.
European captain Alison Nicholas said it was the best achievement of her career. The former US Open champion's bold decision to rest all of her players during the foursomes and fourball sessions paid off as her side won the singles series 7-5.
By contrast, American skipper Rosie Jones was left to regret playing Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr throughout the first two days.
Creamer crashed to a heavy defeat in the top match and Kerr never made it to the first tee because of injury, handing an immediate point to the home side.
Matthew, who won her singles 6 and 5, made a huge contribution for Europe with two wins and two halves from her four matches and Sophie Gustafson was even more important to the home cause as she closed out Stacy Lewis on the final green, it meant that the tall Swede took her haul to four wins out of four and moved Europe to within three and half points of victory.
Nicholas's tactics were shown to be spot on as her team had just enough left through the dramatic closing matches to clinch the Cup.