Europe seizes commanding lead
Print Edition
Europe swept the afternoon fourball matches to seize a five-point lead over the United States on Saturday and stand poised to retain its Solheim Cup crown.
The European women, who have never won the Trans-Atlantic matchplay showdown on US soil, take a 10.5 to 5.5 lead ahead of the 12 singles matches.
No team has come back from more than a two-point deficit to win on Sunday.
“It’s literally shocking to see us lose all four matches in the afternoon,” said Team USA captain Meg Mallon.
“Today for the Europeans it was a magical day. And for us, it was one of those days that putts didn’t drop.”
France’s Karine Icher finished off a perfect Saturday afternoon for Europe when she rolled in a birdie putt from several feet off the green as darkness was falling at the 18th hole of the Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colorado.
That gave her and Spain’s Beatriz Recari a 1 up victory over Americans Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel.
In other fourball matches, rookies Jodi Shadoff and Charley Hull defeated Paula Creamer and Lexi Thompson 2 up, Spain’s Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda got past Gerina Piller and Angela Stanford 1 up and Caroline Hedwall and Caroline Masson beat Michelle Wie and Jessica Korda 2 and 1.
Anna Nordqvist had got what proved to be a big day for Europe off to a flying start when she aced the 17th hole to win the day’s opening foursomes match.
Nordqvist’s hole-in-one on the par-3 17th was thought to be the first in Solheim Cup history and sealed a 2 and 1 win for her and fellow Swede Hedwall over Pressel and Korda.
“I don’t think it has hit me yet,” said Nordqvist. “It was a really good shot, going straight at it. We thought it was — it might be a little long, but it pitched and hit.”
But the Americans won two of the morning’s four foursomes ties and halved another leaving defending champion Europe ahead 6.5 to 5.5 at mid-day.
Americans Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer defeated Munoz and Icher 1 up in a sensational match that produced 12 birdies. The Europeans enjoyed one stretch of five birdies in six holes, but botched the final hole as the US grabbed the point with a birdie.
Europe, which won the trophy in 2011 in Ireland, had taken a 5-3 lead on the opening day.
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