Lilia Vu sinks winning putt as USA hold off Europe fightback to lift Solheim Cup

They say Virginia is for lovers. The US provided the long-awaited resumption of its Solheim Cup relationship on an afternoon when Charley Hull’s exploits nearly inspired her European teammates to make history. Watching golf fans were given reason to remember why the Solheim Cup is held with such fondness. The event will return to the Netherlands in 2026; a wait that has so far proven unsatisfying.

It feels like an understatement to point out that Suzann Pettersen’s European contingent fought hard to keep their hands on the trophy for what would have been a record-breaking fourth time. The US held their nerve. The score of 15½ to 12½ was a testament to that and a European team that lacked nothing in heart. Far from breaking through the tape, the hosts stumbled over the finish line at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club like an exhausted marathon runner.

The Solheim Cup remains the most compelling team competition in golf, simply because of its competitive proximity. Before a single was hit, the outcome felt like a formality. Late in the final session, a subdued gallery emphasized the American wobble. Lilia Vu, in game nine of 12, was the one to get the party started.

One player who did not deserve to be on a losing team was Hull. The English golfer’s task seemed thankless, facing Nelly Korda at the top of the match with Europe trailing 10-6. Hull battered the world number one into submission to complete a 6-4 victory, briefly giving Pettersen hope of an incredible turnaround. If that doesn’t give the 28-year-old Hull the confidence that she can end her wait for a major victory, nothing will. Korda could only laugh at the hopelessness of her situation on the par-five 14th when Hull hit a seven iron, her second shot, just inches from the hole. Game over.

“Suzann told me that they always knew I was going to play Nelly first and if anyone could beat her, I could,” Hull said. “So that gave me a lot of confidence. I shot eight under with my own ball yesterday and today I was seven under after 14 holes. I know I have what it takes to play Nelly and I feel like I’ve left a few more strokes on the table.”

Georgia Hall further boosted European hopes with a 4-3 win over Alison Lee. The US hit back through the excellent Megan Khang, who defeated Emily Pedersen 6-5. Allisen Corpuz and Rose Zhang claimed further American victories to bring the hosts within 1.5 points of success. Still, the atmosphere was tense, with Europe leading in four of the seven games remaining.

There was no surprise attached to the fact that Lexi Thompson was the epicenter of the drama. Thompson, who plans to retire at the end of the year, seems to live in a permanent sports soap opera. She was three up on Céline Boutier after 11 before the Frenchwoman made a birdie run; five in seven holes. Boutier won the match on the final green.

Nice margins. There are always nice margins. Maja Stark was 3 up after 10 against Lauren Coughlin before losing two of the next three holes. Stark found water with a mis-hit on the 14th, which tied the match and gave the U.S. some room to maneuver. Andrea Lee restored parity with Esther Henseleit on the 16th green. That halved match — the first of the competition — brought the U.S. within one, at 13½ to 10½. Coughlin, in her home state, had a 20ft putt to win the Solheim Cup on the last after Stark had rammed her birdie try 10ft wide. Amazingly, Coughlin left her attempt short. Stark bravely holed out for half a point. The U.S. were equally far from victory.

Attention now turned to European debutant Albane Valenzuela, who was 1up on Vu playing the 18th inning. Valenzuela’s approach shot was only average, an issue Vu seized upon by hitting a wedge to tap within range. Valenzuela missed from 30ft, allowing Vu to complete the formalities of an American triumph, their first since 2017. Jennifer Kupcho defeated Linn Grant to make the grade. Madelene Sagstrom did the same to Sarah Schmelzel.

For the hugely impressive American captain Stacy Lewis, it was confirmation. “It was so stressful to watch,” she admitted. “Luckily we were on the right side this time.”

Lewis’s team had the trophy within their grasp in Spain last year, but Europe won 14-14. That result, so recent, perhaps explains how bewildered Pettersen seemed as Europe stared at defeat here.

Pettersen’s decision to leave Leona Maguire out of three sessions – both on day two – has not been adequately explained. Maguire returned to the course with a point to prove and defeated Ally Ewing 4-3, which only raised more questions about the Irish golfer’s lack of action. Maguire did not sound particularly pleased with the situation, describing it as a “bitter pill to swallow”.

Maguire said of Pettersen: “She didn’t give much reason, to be honest. I felt like I was a little bit short and didn’t make enough birdies, but I think today proved there’s more than one way to skin a cat. I made enough birdies today.” This Solheim Cup had its fittingly fierce parting shot.