Europe withstands the onslaught of the US in the Solheim Cup

Europe slept with the face marker on the second night at the Solheim Cup, when the matches in pairs ended. The difference is small (9 to 7), just two points, but the most important thing is the sensations. Where everyone announced a massacre, Catriona Matthews’ troop has stood out as a very competent squad. Except for Popov and Sagstrom, all the golfers have already contributed, especially the twin Leona Maguire, the Irishwoman who in her debut walks with 3.5 points out of four in the absence of the 12 singles.

America unleashed its fury in the morning with the ‘foursome,‘the specialty where the Europeans had swept on Saturday. Only Maguire and Melissa Reid, an exceptional player, acted as a dam against the American aluvin. But it had merit, for the forcefulness (5 and 4) and because in front of them they had Nelly Korda, the number one in the world, accompanied by Amy Ewing.

Dark clouds were drawing for Europe in the afternoon, in the ‘fourball’, where what weighs is individual talent. But then Hull and Pedersen emerged who beat Kang-Ernst, in a curious duel – Kang’s caddy is Pedersen’s boyfriend – for 3 and 2, and Carlota Ciganda, who with the Danish Nanna Koertsz Madsen as a couple, raised a tough match against the oldest of the Korda, Jessica, and Megan Khang.

The Navarrese won her seventh victory in the five participations thanks to a birdie on the 15th hole. It was what ended a game of continuous equality in which Madsen, who fought the British until the last hole 15 days ago, demonstrated the power that Ciganda also treasures.

In the end, Reid appeared, absent in 2019, and claiming to be the female Ian Poulter raised the margin of Europe by biting half a point the most consistent American couple, consisting of Lizette Salas and Jennifer Kucpho, who counted their performances by victories.

The US is now the favorites in the singles, but Europe has filled up with credit after these two days.

Ciganda, hitting her out of a bunker. GETTY

RESULTS

UNITED STATES, 7; EUROPE, 9

FOURSOME (ALTERNATIVE HITS)

Kang-Ernst (USA) a Hall-Sagstrom, 1 arriba.

Thompson-Altomare (USA) to Hull-Pedersen, by 2 and 1.

Reid-Maguire (EUR) to N. Korda-Ewing, for 5 and 4.

Salas-Kupcho (USA) to Nordqvist-Castren, 3 and 1.

FOURSOME (ALTERNATIVE HITS)

Noh-Harigae (USA) to Boutier-Popov, by 2 and 1.

Hull-Pedersen (EUR) and Kang-Ernst, for 3 and 2.

Carlota Ciganda– Madsen (EUR) and J. Korda-Khang, por 1 arriba.

Salas-Kupcho (USA) and Reid.Maguire, tied.