It’s Sol up for grabs!
Europe 8 USA 8 Today: Final-day singles Europe will retain the Cup with 14 points
CAPTAIN Suzann Pettersen was almost lost for words after Europe maintained a brilliant fightback to head into today’s final matches of the 18th Solheim Cup needing six points to retain the trophy.
After losing the opening foursomes 4-0 on Friday, Pettersen’s side rallied to win eight of the 12 points available to level the scores at 8-8 at Finca Cortesin, Spain, and keep alive their hopes of an unprecedented third straight win in the biennial contest.
“I’m out of words, but we have to remember we’re not there yet,” said Pettersen.
“There’s still 12 points up for grabs. Now we’re tied and now we just put it into fifth gear and we keep going.”
Both sides won two of yesterday morning’s foursomes before the home side took the fourballs 3-1 for the second day running, Spanish home favourite Carlota Ciganda delighting the large crowds with her third win from three matches.
Ciganda partnered Swedish rookie Linn Grant to a 2&1 victory over Danielle Kang and Lilia Vu, the European pair covering the front nine in eight-under, with Grant being an incredible six-under on her own ball.
Leona Maguire and Charley Hull had earlier combined to beat Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing 4&3, while Madelene Sagstrom and Emily Pedersen defeated Rose Zhang and Andrea Lee 2&1.
The only win for the United States came courtesy of Cheyenne Knight and Angel Yin, who defeated Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall – who had sat out the first three of this Cup’s sessions – on the 18th.
Ireland’s Maguire, who will be one of three European players to contest all five sessions, said: “One more day to give it our best shot and I think that’s the great thing about this team, there’s so much fight. We’ve never given up.
“I said to Suzann I needed someone with energy for this afternoon and Charley has lots of it. We had a lot of fun, lots of chats, lots of good times with the caddies, and so it was just a really enjoyable walk out there.”
England’s Hull, who has played just twice as she nurses a neck injury, added: “I sprained my neck earlier in the week, and it still hurts a little bit, though it’s gotten a lot better.
“But playing with Leona today was great fun. She’s always in the game and she played unbelievable.”