Europe, U.S. tied at 8-8 after brutal Day 2 at Solheim Cup

GLENEAGLES, Scotland — After a day of extraordinary comebacks, tense 18th-hole finishes, and some of the most brutal weather conditions in Solheim Cup history, still nothing can separate Europe and the United States at Gleneagles.

It’s 8-8 heading to the final-day singles and there’s no way of knowing which way this one’s going to fall.

It was just gone 7 p.m. local time on Saturday when Danielle Kang rolled in a long birdie putt amid the gloom to clinch the last match of the afternoon fourballs for the U.S. on the 17th hole, depriving the Europeans of the lead. Kang hugged playing partner Lizette Salas. It was one of those days when balls fell off tees and police officers roaming the course were seen holding onto their hats.

It is the first time since 2011 in Ireland that Europe and the U.S. were tied going to the singles. The Europeans went on to lift the cup that year, and they are seeking to prevent a U.S. three-peat in women’s golf’s premier team event.

After the morning foursomes were shared 2-2, leaving Europe with a 6 1/2-5 1/2 lead, U.S. captain Juli Inskster made the bold decision to rest the three unbeaten players in her team for the fourballs. Out went the Korda sisters, who had just swept to a record-tying 6-and-5 win, and also Morgan Pressel, who won seven of nine holes with Marina Alex to come from 4 down and secure a 2-and-1 victory.

The U.S. won the fourballs 2 1/2-1 1/2, with the match involving Kang and Salas — 2-up winners against Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz — the only one not reaching the 18th hole.