What Suzann Pettersen would have given for this position after the opening session of the 18th Solheim Cup. The knives were sharpened over Pettersen’s captaincy as Europe were defeated 4-0 in Friday’s foursomes.
What a difference a day and a half makes. Pettersen’s European team enters the singles match aiming for a third straight win for the first time, drawing 8-8 against a wobbly United States. Europe has taken itself off the canvas in a turbulent manner. A 3-1 victory in the Fourballs on Saturday afternoon has given Europe momentum that Pettersen must cherish.
“I am so proud, but we are not there yet,” said Pettersen. “We just have to get into fifth gear and keep going. There are still 12 points available. We will be ready to leave tomorrow morning.”
Charley Hull and Leona Maguire set the tone at the top of things, thanks to a 4&3 layoff from Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing. Madelene Sagström and Emily Pedersen came forward, 2&1 against Rose Zhang and Andrea Lee. Carlota Ciganda, the home hero in sun-drenched Spain, teamed up with Linn Grant to defeat Danielle Kang and Lilia Vu on the 17th green. Grant and Ciganda’s better ball score was nine under par, which is a nod to the standards on display. The fact that Cheyenne Knight and Angel Yin saw off Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall, two of them, hardly resonated as cries of “ole, ole, ole” filled the Andalusian air.
Hull’s return and return to form was such a welcome sight for Pettersen. The 27-year-old Englishwoman complained of injury early in Solheim Cup week, with Hull falling well short of her best performance in her only appearance on Friday. She was with the foursome on Saturday morning, but returned in good spirits when Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing were knocked aside. Hull and Maguire led by four after eight hours and never looked back. The winning margin was 4&3.
After that, Hull expanded her fitness woes. “It’s called a facet sprain,” she said. “I picked up my bag last week and that started it, and then I also slept here on the plane.
“It’s been quite painful. I had to change my swing a bit to account for it. It’s probably around 70 to 80% now, but hopefully I’ll be good for tomorrow.” This was curious as Pettersen had claimed during media duties on Friday that Hull was “not injured”.
The teams had shared the four available points from the foursomes of day two. Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda defeated Lilia Vu and Jennifer Kupcho 2&1. The US responded in the next two games. Lexi Thompson combined with Megan Khang for a one-hole victory over Maguire and Anna Nordqvist. Thompson bounced back admirably from an eerie ending Friday in which she chipped past the 18th green and bizarrely claimed she “didn’t need to comment” on the episode when questioned later.
Korda and Allisen Corpuz excelled in a 5&3 victory over Georgia Hall and Céline Boutier. Neither Hall nor Boutier secured a spot in the fourballs after lunch. Europe secured session parity from the last game, Grant and Maja Stark achieving a 1 success against Kang and Lee. Stark’s converted putt for birdie two at the 17th gave the Swedish pair an advantage they clung to. The future looks seriously bright for both of them.
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The Ladies European Tour, meanwhile, has responded after social media flared up with complaints about the spectator experience at the venue. Members of the gallery claimed that there was a dire shortage of food and drink on the first day of the tournament, a situation made worse by the high temperatures and undulating terrain.
A statement from the LET said: “On Friday there was a delay in replenishing a number of food and beverage outlets, which was discussed with the tournament organiser, Deporte & Business. We resolved the situation and ensured the availability of food and water around the trail. The fans are the heart and soul of the Solheim Cup and we are committed to giving them the best possible experience.” In any case, the offer within the ropes was worth it.