The Golf Blog: US loses Solheim Cup after Wie and O’Toole falter late
The Golf Blog says: The Solheim Cup came down to the last match on Sunday. The European team put on a dramatic, late charge to win the Cup, after the U.S. team seemed poised for victory for most of the day.
World No. 2 Suzanne Pettersen birdied the last 3 holes to defeat Michelle Wie, 1 up. Wie made things easy for Pettersen on the last hole by missing the green on her approach (after Pettersen was already within 5 feet with hers). Pettersen calmly sank the birdie putt, securing her first singles victory in her Solheim Cup career and giving Pettersen a perfect 4-0-0 score this year.
The U.S. team still looked like it was about to win, with rookie and captain’s pick Ryann O’Toole 2-up in her match against Caroline Hedwall. O’Toole had played really well the first 2 days, going 2-0-1 in the team matches. For most of Sunday, O’Toole looked in control. O’Toole hit a bad drive on 17, however, and ended up losing the hole. Then, on 18, O’Toole, no doubt nervous, flew the green with her approach shot, while Hedwall stuck hers close. O’Toole then flubbed her chip, leaving it short of the green. Ouch. That shot really hurt.
O’Toole then tried to putt with the blade of her sand wedge, but missed. Hedwall won the hole after a concession. And, then because teammate Azahara Munoz had just birdied the 17th and went 1-up in her match, the European team had just clinched the Cup. Within a matter of 30 minutes, the U.S. team went from near victory to defeat.
It was a great competition. Congrats to the European and U.S. teams! The players fought hard and represented their countries well.
Pettersen putt to beat Michelle Wie
EUROPEAN team interview
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