US team fight back to lift Solheim Cup

• US produce stunning comeback to beat Europe at St Leon-Rot
• Won seven of the last eight singles matches to win 14.5 – 13.5
• Had been earlier controversy involving Europe’s Suzann Pettersen

A fired up US team produced a stunning comeback to beat Europe and record their first Solheim Cup victory since 2009.

Juli Inkster’s battling team started the last afternoon at St Leon-Rot four points adrift of the Europeans but rallied after a controversial end to the Saturday fourballs, which carried over until Sunday morning after play was suspended due to darkness.

On the 17th green, in the third match between European pair Suzann Pettersen and Charley Hull and US duo Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome, 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, her Norwegian team-mate disputed Lee’s actions and as a result, the hole was awarded to Europe, who went on to win the match to head into the final session with a 10-6 lead.

But in the end, a four-point cushion wasn’t enough as USA secured eight-and-a-half out of a possible 12 in the singles to complete the unlikeliest of victories.

“I can’t describe the difference in my emotions” – Juli Inskter

“This is just amazing,” said US captain Juli Inkster. “I can’t describe the difference in my emotions of this morning to the emotions of this afternoon. My team played so damned good out there. They just never gave up. It was unbelievable.”

Inkster had been riled by Pettersen’s actions earlier in the day, saying she couldn’t believe what had happened before adding that ‘it’s just not right. You don’t do that to your peers’.

CONTINUES BELOW…

And it could be argued that it gave the Americans the motivation they needed for the singles and despite being only claiming one-and-a-half points from the first four matches, Alison Lee, Gerina Piller, Lizette Salas, Angela Stanford, Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer all stormed to snatch victory from the Europeans’ grasp.

“The golf that’s been played has been fantastic” – Carin Koch

“It’s unbelievable,” said European captain Carin Koch. “There were a few putts that could have gone in that went the other way a few times today. But it was very exciting.

“It’s been an amazing week. The golf that’s been played has been fantastic. Both teams played their hearts out. It could have gone either way today. We had a couple of chances to finish it off and win, and in the end it was their putts that win this. It’s just so exciting. It’s great for women’s golf. And we really showcased how good these players are.”

Solheim Cup :: US worthy winners?

What did you make of the earlier controversy at the Solheim Cup? And do you think Pettersen’s actions were the catalyst to the American comeback? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.