USA Clinches Solheim Cup After Seven-Year Drought, Defeats Europe 15½-12½ in Thrilling Finale
The USA defeated Europe in Virginia in a thrilling 15½–12½ match to end the seven years drought at the Solheim Cup.
The victory is the Americans’ first since 2017 and their eleventh in the event’s 19 editions.
Holders Europe had pushed the hosts close in a tight and exciting final round before world number two Lilia Vu supplied the winning moment, holing a short birdie putt on the 18th to clinch a half point against Albane Valenzuela.
US captain Stacy Lewis stated, “It’s crazy how it unfolded; it could have gone either way.”
“It’s amazing how often these things come down to half a point here and there and we’re happy to be on the right side this time.”
Suzann Pettersen, the captain of Europe, continued, “We gave them a run for their money. We believed we could do the task multiple times, and we had a chance.
“I’m glad Stacy is playing at home, but we’ll be ravenous when we get back.
“Win or lose, I’ve genuinely relished it. Winning is enjoyable, but losing hurts a little bit more.”
The US won both sessions 3-1 to take a 6-2 lead on Friday, laying the groundwork for their victory.
The hosts added a significant layer on Saturday as they tied the afternoon fourball and defeated a formidable European challenge in the morning foursomes to lead 10–6 into Sunday.
However, Pettersen’s team dreamed of a “Manassas miracle”—a reference to the European Ryder Cup’s “Medinah miracle,” in which they overcame a 10-6 deficit to win against all odds in 2012—and on a warm day close to Washington, DC, they nearly pulled it off.
In stark contrast to their opponents, who were savoring the boisterous environment and dancing their way across the tee to further energise the eager home audience, the Europeans all went confidently yet calmly onto the first tee.
In order to capture the trophy for a record-tying fourth time in a row, Europe needed to win eight points, and Pettersen revealed she was forced to substitute her “form” players early in Sunday’s 12 singles matches.
Georgia Hall and Charley Hull, two Englishmen, took the lead from the front.
Hull defeated world No. 1 Nelly Korda in straight sets, winning 6&4, while Hall earned a second European point from the third set with an equally convincing 4&3 victory over Alison Lee.
However, between both outcomes, Emily Pedersen was destroyed by Megan Khang 6&5, moving the US to an 11-8 lead and within three and a half points of victory.
Allisen Corpuz defeated Anna Nordqvist 4&3 and Zhang, the former world amateur number one, defeated Carlota Ciganda 6&4 to be the only player to score four points this week. Two of those red points came about quite swiftly.
With European blue flooding the lower half of the scoreboard and a thrilling climax on the shores of Lake Manassas, however, worries began to creep in.
Esther Henseleit, the silver winner from Germany at the Olympics, defeated Andrea Lee in four straight holes starting on the eighth hole, taking the lead. Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden and Leona Maguire of Ireland were also leading.
With Celine Boutier winning three holes in a row from the 12th to tie retiring Lexi Thompson and Linn Grant rallying from three behind versus Jennifer Kupcho to square the score after nine, the European momentum persisted.
However, as is frequently the case, things changed.
On the protracted 14th, American rookie Sarah Schmelzel, who had two chip-ins and an eagle in her round, tied Sagstrom.
Andrea Lee battled back up front to defeat Henseleit in the 18th. Subsequently, the German missed a 20-foot putt that would have tied the score, leaving the US to scramble a vital half.
That gave Thompson the opportunity to cap off her Solheim career in spectacular manner by winning the final putt, but she missed it, and Boutier calmly holed hers to add another blue point.
After a short while, Maguire defeated Ally Ewing 4&3 to tie the score at 13½–10½, with supporters of both teams glancing at the scoreboard to see where the last points may be earned.
The first player to attempt a putt to win the trophy was home favorite Lauren Coughlin, who had overcome three deficits after ten holes against Maja Stark. However, her 15-footer missed, and the Swede calmly made a hole from 10 feet to keep Europe in the race, even though they were trailing 14–11.
Next down the 18th were Valenzuela and Vu of Switzerland. The American was two down with two holes remaining when she won the 17th with a 15-foot putt to salvage her match.
Valenzuela had to hole a 30-footer to win the match after she skillfully nudged her approach to the final hole to within two feet. When she missed, Vu tapped in, and the celebrations in America began.
In the last two games, Sagstrom prevailed on the 18th to earn another point for Europe, and on the 17th, Kupcho defeated Grant 2&1.
