U.S. women complete lopsided victory
Americans 10-5 after most decisive Cup win since 1996.
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
“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 over 20 years, beating Europe 16½-11½ Sunday at Des Moines (Iowa) 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 Americans are 10-5 in the biennial event 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.
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.
“We just got outplayed, no doubt about it,” European captain Annika Sorenstam said.
U.S. Amateur: Doc Redman rallied from two down with two holes to play, then beat Doug Ghim on the first extra hole to win it at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
Ghim was 2 up heading to the 17th, but Redman made a stunning 55-foot putt to win the hole with the tournament on the line. Redman then holed an easier birdie putt on the 18th to force overtime.
Champions: Scott McCarron birdied the final three holes to beat Kevin Sutherland by a stroke at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, N.Y.
McCarron closed with an 8-under 64 a day after shooting a 61 at En-Joie to join Sutherland atop the leaderboard. Sutherland also birdied the 18th for a 65.
European Tour: Adrian Otaegui came from behind to beat home favorite Marcel Siem 2 and 1 in Bad Griesbach, Germany, and clinch the Paul Lawrie Match Play for his first tour title.
Australasian Tour: Jason Norris of Australia shot a 5-under 67 for a 274 total and a four-shot victory in the Fiji International at Natadola Bay.