U.S. beats Europe at Solheim Cup in Iowa
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — Lexi Thompson set the tone by rallying from four holes down. The rest of the Americans took it from there and restored their dominance in the Solheim Cup golf tournament.
“I was just, like, ‘I just have to go all in and go for it all,’” Thompson said.
Her U.S. teammates followed her lead and the Americans finished off their most-decisive Solheim Cup victory in 20 years, beating Europe 16½-11½ on Sunday at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.
Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer won key matches, and Gerina Piller sealed it with a birdie putt that put her 3 up over Florentyna Parker with three to play in a 4-and-2 victory.
“They just bonded. They believed in each other. They played for the person behind them and in front of them. And they played some amazing golf,” said Juli Inkster, who joined Judy Rankin as the only U.S. captains to win the Solheim Cup twice. The Solheim Cup is a competition held every two years between teams from Europe and the U.S.
The Americans are 10-5 in the tournament after their biggest win since a 17-11 triumph in 1996 in Wales. They rallied to win in Germany in 2015, and have taken five of the last seven matches. Results include: Kerr beat Mel Reid 2 and 1 for her record-extending 21st point in the competition, and Creamer edged Georgia Hall 1 up to raise her total to 19½ — second on the U.S. career list.
Thompson ended up halving with Anna Nordqvist, and Angel Yin halved with Karine Icher as the teams split the 12 singles matches. Lizette Salas and Danielle Kang also won for the U.S. Salas edged Jodi Ewart Shadoff 1 up, and Kang beat E. Pedersen 3 and 1. For Europe, Catriona Matthew beat Stacy Lewis 1 up, Caroline Masson topped Michelle Wie 4 and 2, Charley Hull edged Brittany Lang 1 up.