Europe faces the Medina mountain to retain the Solheim Cup after the end of the second day of games still trailing the United States by four points.
After the first day, the US led 6-2 and the athletes continued to maintain that advantage on the second day at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
Europe scored two points in foursomes in the morning and two points in the afternoon with four balls to trail 10-6.
For Europe to secure a ‘four-peat’ and capture the prestigious trophy for the fourth time in a row, they will need eight points in Sunday’s singles, with the home team needing just 4.5. It’s the same result that Europe’s Ryder Cup team faced in Medinah in 2012, before winning 14.5-13.5.
ON SATURDAY FOUR
The morning session saw European points from Esther Henseleit and Charley Hull as they beat Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho 1up. Henseleit hit his approach on 18 within five feet and after the US failed to make an up-and-down from the greenside bunker, Europe secured the win.
“Charley played well all day,” said the rookie. “He didn’t miss a beat. I was happy that I could finally stand up and defend this point. Our games are similar, so I feel like we know when the other is feeling good.”
Another European point from the morning came from Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and France’s Celine Boutier when they won 4&3 over Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel.
“I’ve never played with Celine and I loved it,” said Nordqvist. “I felt like I really needed a point, and it’s nice to see the blue on the board. We must continue to do our best. But I had a fun day with Celine.”
SATURDAY FOUR BALLS
It was a similar story this afternoon as the US and Europe each exited the course with two points – the first time in Solheim Cup history that both sessions ended in a tie.
Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen battled Ally Ewing and Lexi Thompson for victory on the 17th green. The European duo took the lead on the 13th and were 2 up through the 15th, but Thompson then rolled in a birdie at 16. However, Pedersen stuck to his shot at 17 – and the Americans allowed a birdie – and the US couple couldn’t. converting their long putts gave Europe another point on the board.
“I think we played amazing golf, morning and afternoon,” said Ciganda. “Obviously it is difficult to beat the Americans. They were playing good golf, and because of the home crowd, it’s not easy, but I told Emily, ‘Let’s not bother them. Let’s hit as many greens as possible. The putts are going to drop’.
The final match of the afternoon session saw England duo Charley Hull and Georgia Hall defeat Allisen Corpuz and Lilia Vu 2up. It was the second time that the two Englishmen played together, they did not fall behind, but they had to play all 18 holes to get the last point of the day.
Hull said: “We’ve been busy because we’re good friends. We know each other inside and out. We know what we can and cannot say to each other. Well, there’s nothing we can’t say to each other. I was getting Georgia to read my putts. I felt like I was struggling yesterday with a few of my readings. I just know that Georgia is a very good student, so I trust her with my life for her placement.”
Europe needs eight points from one session to retain the trophy, while the United States needs just 4½ points to win the trophy for the first time since 2017.
Back in 2003, Europe won eight singles matches at Barsebäck in Sweden and they will need to do the same tomorrow.
ORDER FOR PLAY FOR SUNDAY SINGES (UK time)
1.50pm – Charley Hull vs Nelly Korda
2.00pm – Emily Pedersen vs Megan Khang
2.10pm – Georgia Hall vs Alison Lee
2.20pm – Anna Nordqvist vs Allsen Corpuz
2.30pm – Carlota Ciganda vs Rose Zhang
2.40pm – Esther Henseleit vs Andrea Lee
2.50pm – Celine Boutier vs Lexi Thompson
3.00pm – Maja Stark vs Lauren Coughlin
3.10pm – Albane Valenzuela vs Lilia Vu
3.20pm – Madelene Sagström vs Sarah Schmelzel
3.30pm – Leona Maguire vs Ally Ewing
3.40pm – Linn Grant vs Jennifer Kupcho
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