All to play for at Solheim Cup

Europe have the advantage, but the USA look to be mounting a fightback ahead of the final day of the Solheim Cup.

Three of the afternoon fourballs failed to finish on Saturday, as slow play marred what is otherwise turning out to be a thrilling battle.

Europe enjoyed a 8-5 lead at the end of the day, but with the USA up in two of the remaining fourballs and only narrowly down in the third, the Americans could well reduce the deficit tomorrow morning ahead of the deciding 12 singles matches.

Europe were well on top after the morning session. The remaining fourballs from Friday were completed to give the home side a two-point lead, and they would win the Saturday foursomes 3-1 to build up an emphatic 8-4 lead.

Charley Hull and Suzann Pettersen fought back from four down with seven to play to defeat Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

Melissa Reid and Carlota Ciganda beat Alison Lee and Michelle Wie 4 and 3, while Sandra Gal and Catriona Matthew claimed a narrow 1-up victory over Angela Stanford and Brittany Lincicome.

Only Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller produced a dominant 5 and 4 win over Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall.

It was a different story in the afternoon fourballs, however.

Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr completed a 3&2 win over Azahara Munoz and Ciganda, while Lizette Salas and Brittany Lang are 1-up through 15 against Karine Icher and Matthew, and Lewis and Piller are also 1-up through 16 against Caroline Masson and Hedwall.

Europe are 1-up through 15 in the match involving Icher and Matthew and Salas and Lang.

That victory in the afternoon by Thompson and Kerr has put the USA on the front foot, however, and they will look to build on that come Sunday morning. 

“We knew we had to win the match and get red on the board,” said Kerr. “But it wasn’t easy. They played great too. Tomorrow we’ve got to just take care of our singles matches one by one and see how it goes.”

USA captain Julie Inkster added: “At least we have a little bit of red on the board. We haven’t seen a lot of that in the last couple of days. But we’ve got to finish. We’ve got to finish those three matches tomorrow. We’ve got to finish the singles strong. I think the Europeans have played really 17 and 18 maybe just a little better than us and we need to buckle down and get those last two holes.”

With Matthew and Icher 1-up in one of the remaining matches, the Europeans know that will be an important point to secure.

“It has been a tight match,” said Matthew. “I’m going back for dinner and a lot of sleep. Dinner and sleep.”

RESULTS

(Europe first)

Friday 18th September

Foursomes:

Anna Nordqvist and Suzann Pettersen lost to Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer 3 and 2

Charley Hull and Melissa Reid beat Michelle Wie and Brittany Lincicome 2 and 1

Karine Icher and Azahara Munoz lost to Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson 2 and 1

Sandra Gal and Catriona Matthew beat Stacy Lewis and Lizette Salas 3 and 2

Europe 2 USA 2

Fourballs:

*The last two matches finished on Saturday morning due to poor light on Friday evening.

Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall beat Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer 4 and 3

Charley Hull and Gwladys Nocera beat Alison Lee and Angela Stanford 3 and 2

Melissa Reid and Carlota Ciganda halved with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson

Caroline Masson and Sandra Gal halved with Gerina Piller and Brittany Lang

Europe 3 USA 1

Cumulative Results Europe 5 USA 3

 

Saturday 19th September

Foursomes

Melissa Reid and Carlota Ciganda beat Alison Lee and Michelle Wie 4&3

Charley Hull and Suzann Pettersen beat Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel 1 up

Sandra Gal and Catriona Matthew beat Angela Stanford and Brittany Lincicome 1 hole

Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall lost to Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller 5&4

Europe 3 USA 1

Cumulative Results: Europe 8 USA 4

Fourballs

*The last three matches did not finish due to poor light on Saturday evening and will resume at 8.45am on Sunday.

Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda lost to Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr 3&2

Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew v Lizette Salas and Brittany Lang (Europe 1 up after 15)

Suzann Pettersen and Charley Hull v Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome (USA 1 up after 15)

Caroline Masson and Caroline Hedwall v Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA 1 up after 16)

Europe 0  USA 1

Cumulative Results: Europe 8 USA 5

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