Defying world rankings, Europe retained the Solheim Cup in Toledo (Ohio). A debutant, the Finnish Matilda Castren, sealed the point that put the two handles in the hands of the Old Continent, granting the second victory in its history on American soil, which ended up materializing in a 15-13. The next defense, which Europe has never achieved in its career, will be held in 2023 at Finca Cortesn (Malaga), the first time that the great women’s golf competition will land in Spain.
It was an undeniable triumph. From beginning to end. In the middle of the day, with an annoying, not very strong wind, Catriona Matthews’ troop was highlighted at the top. They dominated eight games! of 12. And Anna Nordqvist, who had asked to open the batch – the weight of big three -, tied with Lexi Thompson, leader in the shadow of the American team, in a wild game. The meager difference of most of them – five were won by a hole – made euphoria impossible. Only the French Celline Boutier (4 up) and the Irish debutant Leona Maguire (4 others), the great individual winner of the Solheim with 4.5 points – she was the first to dispatch her match -, dominated the score with solvency.
The most difficult thing was missing, which was to specify. Sweden’s Sangstrom – a player with a childhood drama over for sexual abuse – beat Ewing (3 and 2) and Boutier broke the victory against Harigae (5 and 4). There were nine games left and they only needed two points to retain the Solheim.
Nordqvist, who fought the toughest match of all singles with Thompson, he cuts half a point in a clash where a putt was not awarded. It was invaluable because the Americans, gesturing with their arms raised after each blow, tried to create the climax for the flip.
American comeback
In that atmosphere, the victories of Nelly Korda were linked, Megah Khang and Brittany Altomare took two putts of 7 and 20 meters to tie the game with Ciganda on the 14th hole. The screaming in Inverness was beginning to be heard in all corners.
The European hemorrhage was stopped by Castren, Nordqvist’s rookie partner in pairs, with a putt on the 15th hole off Lizettte Salas, one of the American leaders. I boarded from 12 meters with the flag up and took the lead. The scores came back to Matthews especially because Pedersen in the final game, playing against her boyfriend (Danielle Kang’s caddy) raised the lead to two holes and it was a good mattress.
Madsen scores half a point against Ernst and left Europe one point from the shore. In the hands of Castren was the first penalty. He reached 18 with a hole ahead, just as Carlota gave in to Altomare, who displayed a superb short game. His second shot landed on the bank of the bunker he played a big wedge that he finished off with a two-meter putt to score the 14th point and retain the Solheim.
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