Solheim Cup win is truly unforgettable
The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles will always be remembered.
Perthshire played a blinder and so did Catriona Matthew’s Team Europe to secure the famous trophy 14½-13½ in the most dramatic of circumstances in late Sunday sunshine.
Those lucky enough to find a smidgen of space to watch the decisive putt drop into the hole could count themselves lucky. They had just witnessed sporting history.
For Gleneagles’ director of golf, Gary Silcock, this was a truly special event to be involved in. He was proud to throw on such a stunning spectacle which welcomed 90,000 people.
“After four years of planning, I’m very proud that Gleneagles can showcase the best in Scotland to the world,” Silcock told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Catriona requested the setup as home captain and the team delivered. An event like the Solheim Cup is first about the golf but for the spectators it is about the experience.
“The tented village was very special and for sure future champions will come from those fun games.
“Ladies, gents and children saw the joy of golf, starting and finishing in sunshine.
“Visit Scotland will hand back the Solheim Cup in a fabulous position - and Gleneagles was part of that.
“We are very proud to have worked these last four years with Visit Scotland and IMG.”
Heading into the final day with the score locked at 8-8, much was on the line. And players from both sides didn’t disappoint in conjuring up an absolute classic.
As the afternoon wore on it appeared ever more certain that Team USA, captained by Juli Inkster, were set to retain the trophy.
The Americans needed only half a point from any of the final three matches out on the PGA Centenary course. Perhaps one single putt was all it was going to take.
But Europe displayed bravery and skill in equal measure in the closing stages, kick-started by Swede Anna Nordqvist’s routine 4&3 win over Morgan Pressel.
English star Bronte Law then came from behind to level the overall score at 13½ each when she defeated Ally McDonald on the 17th hole.
Up ahead was experienced European player Suzann Pettersen who, now, was required to triumph down the last against Marina Alex to clinch victory. That chance arrived.
And by gosh she held her nerve. Silence gripped the rolling Perthshire hills as the eight-foot putt navigated towards the hole in slow motion - and then dropped.
After a brief pause, the crowd erupted. Team Europe erupted and celebrations quickly took over the undulating surface of the final green.
Pettersen announced her retirement in the aftermath of the famous win. And what a legacy she leaves behind.
“This is the perfect closure and the perfect end for my Solheim and professional career,” Pettersen said. “It doesn’t get any better.
“I didn’t think I’d even be here until I met Beany (Matthew) four months ago. That’s me completely done.
“I don’t have any plans from tomorrow. I’m pretty much closing it down, what more can I say. I was going to wait and see beforehand. But obviously life has changed for me.
“Once you are on the tee box you forget about everything. But my son afterwards was surreal. He’s obviously the biggest thing to happen to me.
“Now I know what it’s like to win as a mum, and I’ll leave it at that.”
Scot Matthew – who won three times as a player – led the side to victory on home soil in front of the biggest ever crowds in the competition.
Pettersen said: “It’s a dream come true to pull this off at Gleneagles and to do it for Beany in Scotland.
“It doesn’t get any better. The home of golf with the biggest crowds I have seen and Beany living up the road. It’s the ultimate for the Solheim Cup.
“I love my team-mates. If it wasn’t for these girls my putt wouldn’t have mattered. It was the ultimate scenario.”