Suzann Pettersen issues apology

• Suzann Pettersen apologises for her antics on the 17th green
• “I am so sorry for not thinking about the bigger picture”
• Galvanised US team fight back to win 14.5-13.5 at St Leon Rot

Suzann Pettersen has issued an apology for her lack of sportsmanship on the 17th green at the Solheim Cup – a move which received heavy criticism from fellow golf professionals and fans.

On the conclusion of hers and Charley Hull’s fourball match against Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome, which had spilled over into Sunday morning after play was suspended due to darkness, Lee lifted her ball after believing she’d been given permission to do so by Pettersen and Hull. But as Hull appeared to walk off the green, the Norwegian disputed Lee’s actions and as a result, the hole was awarded to Europe, who went on to win the match and head into the final session with a 10-6 lead.

But a four-point cushion wasn’t enough as a galvanised US team fought back in the Sunday singles to win 14.5 – 13.5 for their first Solheim Cup win since 2009.

“I am so sorry for not thinking about the bigger picture” – Suzann Pettersen

“I’ve never felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down Sunday on the 17th at the Solheim Cup,” Suzann Pettersen posted on her Instagram account on Monday morning. “I am so sorry for not thinking about the bigger picture in the heat of the battle and competition.

“I was trying my hardest for my team and put the single match and the point that could be earned ahead of sportsmanship and the game of golf itself! I feel like I let my team down and I am sorry.”

Pettersen’s actions resulted in tears among the players following the match and the two-time major winner received hefty criticism at the time for her actions.

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“I’m disgusted,” said Laura Davies after the incident. “Charley Hull has just won a point and she is in floods of tears. That tells you the wrong thing was done. How Suzann can justify that I will never, ever know. She has let herself down and she has certainly let her team down.

“I’m so glad I’m not on that team this time. Pettersen will regret this. If the US go on to win, there’s only one person to blame.”

Unsurprisingly, US captain Juli Inkster was similarly annoyed and struggled to keep her emotions in check when asked about her thoughts on what had just happened.

“You just don’t do that to your peers” – Juli Inkster

“I’m telling you right now, it’s just not right,” said Inkster. “You just don’t do that to your peers. It’s a done deal now. And you know what, we don’t want it now. If they wanted to do it, they should have done it then.”

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Pettersen admitted she spoke to Inkster about the incident before leaving St Leon-Rot, and admitted that, with hindsight, she would’ve changed the outcome.

“To the US team, you guys have a great leader in Juli, who I’ve always looked up to and respect so much,” the post continued. “Knowing I need to make things ‘right’, I had a face-to-face chat with her before leaving Germany this morning to tell her in person how I really feel about all of this. I wanted her also to know that I am sorry.

“I hope in time the U.S. team will forgive me and know that I have learned a valuable lesson about what is truly important in this great game of golf which has given me so much in my life.

“I wish I could change Sunday for many reasons. Unfortunately I can’t” – Suzann Pettersen

“To the fans of golf who watched the competition on TV, I am sorry for the way I carried myself. I can be so much better and being an ambassador for this great game means a lot to me.

“The Solheim Cup has been a huge part of my career. I wish I could change Sunday for many reasons. Unfortunately I can’t.

“This week I want to push forward toward another opportunity to earn the Solheim Cup back for Europe in the right way. And I want to work hard to earn back your belief in me as someone who plays hard, plays fair and plays the great game of golf the right way.”

Suzann Pettersen :: Apology

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