US rides on singles to retain Cup
Source: Agencies |
August 25, 2009, Tuesday
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THE United States maintained its unbeaten record on American soil by clinching the Solheim Cup for a third consecutive time on Sunday, beating Europe 16-12 with a sparkling display in the last-day singles.
Needing 14 points to keep possession of the prestigious trophy, the home team secured the decisive point when Morgan Pressel beat Swede Anna Nordqvist 3&2 in the penultimate match at a sun-baked Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Pressel never trailed in her encounter and sealed victory when Nordqvist was unable to get up and down to save par from greenside rough at the 171-yard 16th.
"I am still speechless," a tearful Pressel, 21, said in a greenside interview as chants of "USA, all the way" echoed across the par-73 layout. "It's very emotional.
Europe, which has now lost eight times in 11 editions of the competition, held its own earlier in the day, leading in five and trailing in just three matches at one point. Midway through the afternoon, it led in six of the 12 singles encounters.
"I just can't even believe they've done this because for a while it really didn't look like it was going to be possible," US captain Beth Daniel told reporters.
European captain Alison Nicholas said: "The girls tried to keep up with them but they (the US) just holed a few more putts than us. It's tough to come over here and win."
The Americans, tied 8-8 with Europe overnight, won the first point of the day when Angela Stanford crushed Britain's Becky Brewerton 5&4 in the second match out.
Stanford never trailed after winning the opening hole with a birdie three and she wrapped up victory by knocking in a six-foot birdie putt at the par-four 14th.
Soon after, world No. 4 Paula Creamer earned the Americans their 10th point with a commanding 3&2 win over sixth-ranked Norwegian Suzann Pettersen in the top match.
Take the lead
Creamer, who had been one down after five holes, drained a 30-foot birdie putt at the par-four 10 to take the lead for the first time before tightening her grip.
Cup rookie Michelle Wie followed suit with a one-up victory over veteran Helen Alfredsson.
Britain's Catriona Matthew earned Europe's first point of the day by beating Cup rookie Kristy McPherson 3&2 before the US gained an unexpected boost when Brittany Lang halved her match with Laura Davies after being three down with eight holes remaining.
Brittany Lincicome beat Swede Sophie Gustafson 3&2 and 49-year-old Juli Inkster, the oldest player at a Solheim Cup, came from three down after 13 holes to halve her match with Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera and leave the US a point from retaining the trophy.
Christina Kim claimed the last full point for the US with a two-up win over Spaniard Tania Elosegui.
Needing 14 points to keep possession of the prestigious trophy, the home team secured the decisive point when Morgan Pressel beat Swede Anna Nordqvist 3&2 in the penultimate match at a sun-baked Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Pressel never trailed in her encounter and sealed victory when Nordqvist was unable to get up and down to save par from greenside rough at the 171-yard 16th.
"I am still speechless," a tearful Pressel, 21, said in a greenside interview as chants of "USA, all the way" echoed across the par-73 layout. "It's very emotional.
Europe, which has now lost eight times in 11 editions of the competition, held its own earlier in the day, leading in five and trailing in just three matches at one point. Midway through the afternoon, it led in six of the 12 singles encounters.
"I just can't even believe they've done this because for a while it really didn't look like it was going to be possible," US captain Beth Daniel told reporters.
European captain Alison Nicholas said: "The girls tried to keep up with them but they (the US) just holed a few more putts than us. It's tough to come over here and win."
The Americans, tied 8-8 with Europe overnight, won the first point of the day when Angela Stanford crushed Britain's Becky Brewerton 5&4 in the second match out.
Stanford never trailed after winning the opening hole with a birdie three and she wrapped up victory by knocking in a six-foot birdie putt at the par-four 14th.
Soon after, world No. 4 Paula Creamer earned the Americans their 10th point with a commanding 3&2 win over sixth-ranked Norwegian Suzann Pettersen in the top match.
Take the lead
Creamer, who had been one down after five holes, drained a 30-foot birdie putt at the par-four 10 to take the lead for the first time before tightening her grip.
Cup rookie Michelle Wie followed suit with a one-up victory over veteran Helen Alfredsson.
Britain's Catriona Matthew earned Europe's first point of the day by beating Cup rookie Kristy McPherson 3&2 before the US gained an unexpected boost when Brittany Lang halved her match with Laura Davies after being three down with eight holes remaining.
Brittany Lincicome beat Swede Sophie Gustafson 3&2 and 49-year-old Juli Inkster, the oldest player at a Solheim Cup, came from three down after 13 holes to halve her match with Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera and leave the US a point from retaining the trophy.
Christina Kim claimed the last full point for the US with a two-up win over Spaniard Tania Elosegui.
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