Europe retained the Solheim Cup in dramatic circumstances with a 14-14 tie against the United States of America at Finca Cortesin in Spain.
Starting the day tied at 8-8, after two days of foursomes and fourballs, it all came down to an enthralling final day of singles and the teams tied the session with six points each.
Spanish star Carlota Ciganda holed the putt to win her match and secure the 14th point needed to retain the Cup, which meant that Europe claimed an historic three in a row.
Prior to this match, the overall scoreline was 10-7 in America’s favour. Since the contest began in 1990, Europe had never won three competitions in a row. The US team won three in a row in ’94, ’96 and ’98 and repeated the feat again in ’05, ’07 and ’09.
European Captain Suzann Pettersen, who made the winning putt four years ago at Gleneagles, said, “I think the tears have gone now. I think it was meant to be, Carlota holing the winning putt in Spain. Hedwall played her part. It came down to the wire.”
Hedwall was the player who changed the momentum for Europe. Three down after 12, she turned the match around, winning five of the last six holes against Ally Ewing to clinch a crucial point.
Pettersen said, “It’s going to be a big party tonight.” When asked how she would celebrate, she added: “The Spanish way.”
Carlota Ciganda. Photo: Tristan Jones/LET
Perhaps the most exciting match was the one between Nelly Korda and Carlota Ciganda, who was playing in front of her home crowd.
At the 299-yard par-4 first hole, world no.3 Korda, looking to silence the home crowd, played safe with an iron.
World no.28 Ciganda’s tee shot at the first with a wood landed on the green and rolled over the back, but her chip to the green ran back down the hill. She made a par putt to tie the hole, but then won the second and third to go 2 up.
Korda won the ninth, 10th and 15th to tie the match. The American missed her birdie putt from five feet on 16 and Ciganda holed hers from three feet to go 1 Up.
On the 17th, Ciganda hit the most magnificent tee shot to within four feet of the flag. Korda’s ball ended off the green and her chip narrowly missed the hole. She made her par.
After taking a deep breath, Ciganda made her putt to win her match 2&1 and took Europe to the 14 points needed prompting jubilant scenes on the 17th green.
Of all people, it was the popular Spaniard in front of her home fans which meant that Europe claimed an historic three in a row.
