Suzann Pettersen hails ‘legends’ after Europe retain Solheim Cup against USA
Suzann Pettersen hailed the “legends” of her European Solheim Cup team after the trophy was retained on a hugely dramatic day in Andalucía. Carlota Ciganda, a Spaniard, holed the putt which ensured a 14-14 tie with the US and the lifting of the cup by Europe for a record-breaking third time in a row.
“Does it get any better than this? This is a dream come true,” Pettersen said. “We had a massive challenge ahead of us. We have created history yet again in the Solheim Cup. These girls are legends.”
Pettersen’s team recovered from a 4-0 whitewash in the Friday opening session to sit at 8-8 before the singles. “I wonder if it was almost a nice wake-up call for all of us,” Pettersen said. “We have all been on a high for a few years now and maybe that was good. I believe in fate, so maybe that was meant to happen.
“I just said: ‘You get knocked down, you stand back up.’ Life can be tough but it’s how you stand back up that shows character. I think it really shows the character of this team.”
Stacy Lewis, the US captain, said she and the LPGA Commissioner, Mollie Samaan, discussed during the closing ceremony whether retention of the cup in the event of a draw was a fair outcome. The same applies in Ryder Cups.
“We were talking about when it is a tie, should it be a playoff, should it be a retain the cup,” Lewis said. “I don’t know. It obviously would be better TV. It would be a better experience for the fans, whether it was a team playoff or something like that. I think that would be pretty cool.
“But if you want to stick with the history of the event and history of what the men do as well, you probably stick with retaining the cup. I don’t know how I feel about that either way, to be honest.”
Lewis insisted she was proud of her team. “Those girls played their hearts out today. Things really could have been quite a bit different with one or two shots here and there.”