Europe keeps Solheim Cup
With a big finish by home-crowd favorite Carlota Ciganda, Europe retained the Solheim Cup after securing a first-ever tie with the United States on Sunday in Casares, Spain.
The U.S. needed a win to get the trophy back after two consecutive losses against the Europeans in the top team event in women’s golf. Europe has never won three in a row against the Americans.
The teams split the decisive singles match to finish tied 14-14 with Europe doing just enough to keep the trophy.
Ciganda, the only Spaniard on the European team, came up with two superb approach shots on the closing holes and made the short putts for consecutive birdies that secured the clinching 14th point for Europe.
She beat Nelly Korda 2 and 1 for her fourth straight victory after sitting out the opening session on Friday morning. She was the only player to win four matches this week.
Ciganda’s teammates raised her on their shoulders, and the celebration continued with champagne being splashed around by the Europeans.
“It was a team effort and I’m so proud of everyone,” Ciganda said. “I love the Solheim Cup and I love being in Spain. The cup stays where it belongs.”
European captain Suzann Pettersen, who four years ago made the winning putt to win the Solheim Cup as a player, raised the trophy in front of her squad. Ciganda then raised the cup in front of the chanting fans at Finca Cortesin in southern Spain.
AUTO RACING
Runaway series leader Max Verstappen returned to dominant form on Sunday, winning the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka and moving a step closer to securing his third consecutive Formula One drivers’ championship.
The Red Bull driver, who missed out on the podium a week ago in Singapore, started from pole and held on for his 13th win of the season.
McLaren driver Lando Norris was second, 19.4 seconds back of Verstappen, while his teammate Australia rookie Oscar Piastri was third for his first F1 podium.
With Verstappen’s win, Red Bull secured this year’s constructors’ title, its sixth overall.
Verstappen increased his lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 177 points. He could wrap up his third consecutive title at the Oct. 6-9 Qatar Grand Prix.
NFL
Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb is believed to have suffered only a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee, an injury that should not be career-threatening, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The full extent of Chubb’s injury won’t be known until he has surgery, said the person, who spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
ESPN was first to report Chubb’s initial diagnosis.
Chubb suffered the season-ending knee injury in Monday night’s loss at Pittsburgh when he was hit by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. He had the same knee reconstructed when he tore several ligaments in 2015 while playing in college at Georgia.
MLB
Mike Trout’s season ended Sunday because of a wrist injury that limited him to one game after July 3.
The Los Angeles Angels moved the three-time AL MVP to the 60-day injured list before their series finale against the Minnesota Twins.
Trout, a 32-year-old centerfielder, fractured the hamate bone in his left wrist on July 3 while fouling a pitch off against San Diego, returned Aug. 22 and went 1 for 4 against Cincinnati. Trout said he felt pain when he fouled off pitches, and he went back on the IL.
Braves’ Morton goes on IL: The Atlanta Braves took another blow to their injury-plagued rotation, placing right-hander Charlie Morton on the 15-day injured list Sunday. The move means the 14-game winner won’t be eligible to pitch in the NL Division Series.
The 39-year-old Morton left his start Friday against the Washington Nationals after only one inning with pain in his right index finger. An MRI showed it was a sprain, manager Brian Snitker said.
Morton won’t be eligible to come off the IL until Oct. 7, which is after the Braves will have set their roster for the best-of-five NLDS.
WNBA
DeWanna Bonner scored 20 points, Rebecca Allen added 18 and the Connecticut Sun played stellar defense to beat the New York Liberty, 78-63, on Sunday in the first game of their best-of-five WNBA semifinals playoff series.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in New York.
New York led by three at halftime before Connecticut went on a 16-2 run to start the third quarter. The Sun scored the first nine points during the spurt and former Marquette standout Natisha Hiedeman hit two three-pointers.