U.S. ROUTS EUROPE IN SOLHEIM CUP
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA» Lexi Thompson set the tone by rallying from four holes down. The rest of the American players took it from there and restored their dominance in the Solheim Cup competition.
“I was just, like, ‘I just have to go all in and go for it all,’ ” Thompson said.
Her teammates followed her lead Sunday — and the Americans finished off their most decisive Solheim Cup victory in more than 20 years, beating Europe 16½ to 11½ at Des Moines 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 holes to play in a 4and-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 tournament 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 competitions.
Kerr beat Mel Reid 2 and 1 for her recordextending 21st point in Solheim Cup play, 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. Lizette Salas and Danielle Kang also won for the Americans. Salas edged Jodi Ewart Shadoff 1 up, and Kang beat Emily Pedersen 3 and 1.
For Europe, Catriona Matthew beat Stacy Lewis 1 up, Caroline Masson topped Michelle Wie 4 and 2, Charley Hull edged Brittany Lang 1 up, Carlota Ciganda beat Brittany Lincicome 4 and 3, and Madelene Sagstrom defeated Austin Ernst 3 and 2.
“We just got outplayed, no doubt about it,” European captain Annika Sorenstam said. “I’m just so proud of how hard they fought. What can I say? Just congratulate the USA because they played some awesome golf.”
Nordqvist did her best to set the tone for the Europeans in the opening match, winning the first four holes.
But after a birdie on No. 10, Thompson holed out from 112 yards for eagle on the 11th hole — a shot so impressive that even Nordqvist was compelled to high-five her.
The 22-year-old Thompson followed with an eagle putt on the 15th hole, and a birdie on 16 put her ahead for the first time. Though Nordqvist rallied, earning the half point by sticking her 154-yard approach on No. 18 within a foot, an American victory was inevitable after Thompson’s remarkable run.