In the lead since day one, the Europeans managed to stay the course until the end and won the Solheim Cup 15-13 on the Inverness course in Ohio. Victorious in her single Céline Boutier erased her disappointment of the day before and made history by becoming the 2nd Frenchwoman with Patricia Meunier-Lebouc to count two victories in this competition.
Having started with two points in advance on the last day, the Europeans held out against the American public to snatch a second consecutive Solheim Cup. History will remember that Matilda Castren landed the decisive putt at 18 against Lizette Salas. The one that allowed Europe to ensure a draw.
TEAM EUROPE retain the @TheSolheimCup ????????????????????
What a special moment for @CastrenMatilda ????#TeamEurope | #SolheimCup pic.twitter.com/ji8OnEOcsZ
– Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 6, 2021
A few minutes later it was Emily Pedersen’s victory on the last green in the last match which sealed the victory of the old continent 15 to 13!
This is the second victory on US soil in Europe for this 17th edition and it is only the second time that the Europeans have managed to keep the trophy.
The first time was in 2013 with a certain Karine Icher who scored 2.5 points in the big win for the players of Liselotte Neumann 18-10.
Even if the gap in the charts is still favorable to the USA (10-7), the trend is clearly European. Indeed, over the last six editions, the “blue” have won four times.
Unscrupulous Boutier
Celine Boutier quickly brought a key point. In front of Mina Harigae, who had yet beaten the day before in 4 balls, the tricolor took a clear and flawless revenge 5 & 4.
Author of a faultless punctuated by 3 birdies, Boutier was never worried and won without trembling with a par at 14. Used only twice by Catriona Matthew in doubles, the French number one ended her week on a very good note. After tasting defeat for the first time in the Solheim Cup on Sunday, the Ile-de-France managed to balance its stats with 1.5 out of 3 possible.
.@celineboutier with a 5&4 win ????????????????????#SolheimCup pic.twitter.com/PDJhgHLbp8
– Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 6, 2021
His doubles partner from the first match, Georgia Hall has long stood up to the world number one but Nelly Korda finally managed to get the best of the winner of The Open 2018. It was still until the 18th to see the winner of the Women’s PGA Championship raise her arms. A point that will have maintained the hope of a “Yankee comeback”.
Le show Maguire
Part in third part, Leona Maguire was the first to light up the board in blue. Stifling the rare inclinations of Jennifer Kupcho, the young Irishwoman easily won 5 & 4. -5 after the fourteen holes played, without having made the slightest mistake, the 26-year-old player who was discovering the competition is the real sensation of this edition. She scored 4.5 out of 5 points.
A little more @leona_maguire magic ????#SolheimCup pic.twitter.com/IIzQtSBVlS
– Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 6, 2021
In the opposite way Sophia Popov conceded a third loss in as many games. The German has been strangled by Megan Khang. The American was leading 6 UP after eight holes. If the European rookie recovered on the return, she lowered the flag to 16 with a score of 3 & 2.
Catriona Matthew passes the hand
Catriona Matthew had already experienced victory on American soil. In fact, she was a player in 2013 for the victory at Colorado Golf Club. The Scotswoman was therefore captain this time for the second success in enemy territory. But she announced it, she will not be present in 2023 at Finca Cortesin in Spain for the attempt to conquer a third consecutive title.
Monday’s simple
©Let/Tristan Jones
