Everything to play for as slow play rears head in Solheim Cup battle
Slow play reared its head again at the Solheim Cup as the USA levelled the tournament.
But former Ladies European Tour pro and golf broadcaster Alison Whitaker last night insisted under-pressure players should be given a break.
Amidst extremely blustery conditions, the Americans threatened to turn Europe’s 6½-5½ lead from the morning session on its head after lunch.
However, the home team came through late on to claim a point-and-a-half from what had earlier looked like a perilous position.
Today’s singles will begin with the score delicately balanced at 8-8.
But with yesterday’s fourballs clocking in at around the six-hour mark, calls for action over the glacial pace of play were aired for the second day running at Gleneagles.
Fans, pundits and professionals – including former Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn – were united in criticism of both teams’ plodding approach.
But Whitaker – at Gleneagles providing TV analysis – called for understanding.
“This week there are other factors at play – that’s the main thing for me,” said the 33-yearold Australian.
“There are a lot of things going on that people at home don’t see, in terms of the teamwork and the camaraderie, going over and giving your partner a high five.
“If they hit a great shot, enjoy the moment. It’s a different kettle of fish at the Solheim.
“I’ve got to say it’s absolutely brutal out there. The girls are out there in conditions that the majority of golf club members wouldn’t play in.
“Those conditions are probably exacerbating things a little bit.
“In terms of slow play, I think it has to be addressed across the board, there has to be some kind of blanket rule.
“But it’s always going to be slow in fourballs. That’s almost unavoidable. There are times when you can’t get ready for your shot in advance, there are times when you’re watching your partner’s shot and you’re helping them, you’re invested in that side of things.
“And in regards to the Solheim Cup, there are a couple of extra things at play that maybe aren’t being pointed out as much as they should.
“It’s not a regular Saturday comp, and there are things you’ve got to factor in that you don’t normally have in golf.”
The conditions were, indeed, dreadful.
But US pair Brittany Altomare and Annie Park coped better than their European counterparts Suzann Pettersen and Anne Van Dam in the first afternoon match.
Despite the efforts of Pettersen in particular, the Americans never fell behind in a nip-andtuck encounter, and after moving ahead for the fifth time on 16, Altomare and Park held firm to level the score 6½-6½.
Europe’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson missed a golden chance to win their match with Lexi Thompson and Marina Alex on the last when Masson lipped out on a six-foot putt to finish all square.
But the real drama of the day was to follow when Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier, who had been behind from the first – and at one stage were four down – roared back to go two up on US pair Ally McDonald and Angel Yin on 18.
Their victory will restore belief to the European camp after what, at times, was a morale-sapping afternoon.
Yet after Danielle Kang’s clutch putt on 17 to earn herself and Lizette Salas a 2&1 win over Europe’s Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz, the Americans will fancy themselves to do some damage in today’s singles.
There was a feeling around Gleneagles yesterday, despite Team Europe’s refusal to give up, that the momentum was shifting in the USA’s favour. If they can maintain it, they will be strong favourites to retain the trophy.