Take a bow, Catriona Matthew, who has captained her team in back-to-back triumphs.
Team Europe bounce around, draped in the flags of their respective home nations, and doused in rather a lot of delicious fizzy French booze. Everyone traipses off to the closing ceremony, and Catriona Matthew raises the Solheim crystal into the air. Toledo will almost certainly get painted red tonight by these astonishing 12 women in blue. That was another sensational edition of the Solheim Cup. Commiserations to Team USA, congratulations to Europe ... and roll on the 2023 edition at Finca Cortesín, Andalucía, Spain. Thanks for staying with us to read these blogs. Nighty night, and sweet dreams wherever you are.
Lexi Thompson A/S Anna Nordqvist
Ally Ewing v Madelene Sagstrom 3&2
Jennifer Kupcho v Leona Maguire 5&4
1UP Nelly Korda v Georgia Hall
Mina Harigae v Celine Boutier 5&4
Austin Ernst A/S Nanna Koerstz Madsen
Lizette Salas v Matilda Castren 1UP
2&1 Brittany Altomare v Carlota Ciganda
3&2 Megan Khang v Sophia Popov
1UP Yealimi Noh v Mel Reid
3&1 Jessica Korda v Charley Hull
Danielle Kang v Emily Kristine Pedersen 1UP
Updated
Team Europe’s star turn, Leona Maguire, who earned four-and-a-half of Europe’s 15-point haul, prepares to talk to Sky ... but first a word with her proud sister Lisa. “I knew Leona is incredible, everyone at home knew Leona is incredible, now the whole world gets to see how incredible she really is. We couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Leona herself adds: “It’s been an incredible week, a dream come true. To win a Solheim Cup on American soil, you can’t even imagine. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the week would go this way. It’s been an honour and given me a massive confidence boost.”
Emily Pedersen, who sunk the winning putt and can hardly talk for smiling, speaks to Sky. “It was a bit of a fight, because after 15, I knew we’d won, and I just wanted to go and celebrate with everyone! I had to really collect myself but it felt really good to hole that last putt. I can’t wait to start the party!” As for her partner Ollie Brett, who caddies for today’s opponent Danielle Kang, she says: “It’s always a bit strange, but at the end of the day we’re out there to do a job and know it’s nothing personal. He knows the same. I want to win, and I get to tease him a little bit tonight! I think he’ll be allowed to come into the party!”
Catriona Matthew is hoisted into the air and chaired around the green. She deserves all the plaudits going, as she becomes the first European to captain her side to victory in two Solheim Cups. She talks to Sky Sports: “It’s unbelievable. My team have been so fantastic all weekend, it’s really up to them, I don’t do a whole lot! They go out there and win the points for us! I’m so proud of them. We knew it would be so tough with no European fans. I’m just so proud and happy from them.”
Europe win the 2021 Solheim Cup! USA 13-15 Europe
Emily Kristine Pedersen rattles in her birdie putt too, and what a way to seal the deal! She drops her putter as she raises both arms and punches the air! The Europeans flood the green in ecstasy, while Pedersen finally gets to embrace her partner Ollie Brett, who was on Kang’s bag. Emily Kristine Pedersen beat Danielle Kang 1UP.
Danielle Kang rolls in her 30-foot birdie effort and, to huge cheers, holds her arms aloft and soaks it up before taking a bow. How different things would be right now had she managed one of those on 15.
Of course, if Pedersen was to somehow become incapacitated, and was unable to finish playing the 18th hole, the match would be awarded to Kang. I think we can rule that out, though. Having sent her drive into semi-rough down the left, Pedersen eases her approach pin high. She’ll have a ten-foot look at birdie. One way or another, it’s the easiest putt she’ll ever stand over. Certainly the most enjoyable. Kang’s on in two as well.
The good folk of Inverness Club were worried that not enough matches would go up their famous 18th hole, scene of Bob Tway’s famous bunker shot at the 1986 PGA. So they switched the 18th and 9th around. They needn’t have worried. The last hole has seen plenty of action this weekend, which goes to show how tight this has been. And so it’s fitting that the final match will go up 18 as well. Emily Pedersen can’t finish things off from six feet at 17, and Danielle Kang has reduced the arrears to one hole.
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (17)
USA 13-14 Europe
USA 13-14 Europe
On 18, Mel Reid should officially seal the deal with a three-foot par putt. But she shoves it wide right, and yesterday evening’s hero loses her singles match, despite launching an admirable comeback after the coldest of cold starts, which saw her lose the first four holes. Yealimi Noh beats Mel Reid 1UP.
Updated
Team Europe doesn’t get its wish at 16. Emily Pedersen nearly chips in from the fringe for birdie, but the ball squeaks past the hole. Danielle Kang makes her birdie, though, and they’re off down 17.
1UP Noh v Reid (17)
Kang v Pedersen 2UP (16)
USA 12-14 Europe
Updated
USA 12-14 Europe
Jessica Korda does indeed wrap up her match. Charley Hull can’t make her birdie putt, so that’s the end of the road in the penultimate match. Jessica Korda beats Charley Hull 3&1.
A dejected but proud USA captain Pat Hurst speaks to NBC Sport: “We got behind the eight-ball after the very first foursomes. We’ve fought our way back. It’s still going to be pretty close, but it’s not good enough. It is what it is. We played hard and with heart. That’s all we were asking for. Both sides are awesome players. The level of women’s golf is unbelievable now, and it’s just getting better.”
Team Europe gather around the 16th green, in the hope that Emily Pedersen can get the deal done now, and the party can officially get underway. Not that they really need anything rubber-stamped; there’s plenty of hugging, whooping, grinning and chattering going on already. Meanwhile Mel Reid grabs a hole back at 17, her second win in three, and she’ll go up 18 with Yealimi Noh. And it looks like Jessica Korda is about to close out her match with Charley Hull; already dormie two, she’s well inside her opponent on the 17th green.
1UP Noh v Reid (17)
2UP J Korda v Hull (16)
Kang v Pedersen 3UP (15)
USA 11-14 Europe
That’s a slightly farcical way for Europe to secure their win. Danielle Kang had a chance to grab a hole back at 15 and keep Team USA’s hopes of a tie alive, but she trundled a long birdie putt six feet past the flag, and couldn’t make the one coming back. It meant Emily Pedersen shared the spoils with a bogey five, and kept the Solheim Cup on this side of the pond!
Now then. Can Europe go on to win the thing outright? Yes. Yes they can. An egregious three-putt by Danielle Kang on 15 means Emily Pedersen is guaranteed at least a half-point in the anchor match. That will put Europe on 14½ at least, and though nothing’s official yet, Europe have effectively won the 2021 Solheim Cup!
2UP Noh v Reid (16)
2UP J Korda v Hull (16)
Kang v Pedersen 3UP (15)
USA 11-14 Europe
Europe retain the Solheim Cup! USA 11-14 Europe
Castren, ice in the veins, splashes out from the bunker to six feet. Salas’s birdie effort slips wide, and the Finn makes sure the trophy will be coming back on the plane in Catriona Matthew’s carry bag by steering in a right-to-left par putt to halve the hole and secure her point. The Finnish debutant has been magical with the flat stick all week, so it’s only right she seals the deal. Matilda Castren beats Lizette Salas 1UP.
Updated
Castren is down the right side of the 18th fairway, 140 yards out. She tugs her approach into the bunker guarding the front left, and here’s a chance for Salas to snatch a crucial half ... because if she doesn’t, and Castren holds out for the win, Europe will retain the trophy. Pressure on! And how she responds! Salas fires straight at the flag, and though she’s 15 feet short, she’s in pole position to salvage the situation! What a battler Lizette Salas is!
USA 11-13 Europe
Brittany Altomare’s second into 17 looks like a clincher. Six feet from the cup. But Ciganda, her back against the wall, responds by sending her’s to ten feet. The Spaniard can’t make the right-to-left birdie putt, though, missing on the high side, and Altomare completes her superb comeback with birdie! Brittany Altomare beats Carlota Ciganda 2&1.
USA 10-13 Europe
Sophia Popov was never likely to complete her comeback from dormie six for half a point. She could have extended her match with Megan Khang with birdie at 16, but can’t make the six-footer. Still, a 3&2 defeat sounds a hell of a lot better than, say, 7&5, which was a live possibility at one point. Megan Khang beats Sophia Popov 3&2.
Salas leaves herself with a tricky three-footer for her par. If she misses, she loses, and Europe will retain the trophy. But in it goes, and the USA fight on. As, you’ll note, does Sophia Popov, who is halfway towards one of the most absurd comebacks for half a point of all time.
Salas v Castren 1UP (17)
1UP Altomare v Ciganda (16)
3UP Khang v Popov (15)
3UP Noh v Reid (14)
1UP J Korda v Hull (14)
Kang v Pedersen 3UP (13)
USA 9-13 Europe
Updated
USA 9-13 Europe
... and then suddenly the pendulum swings back the other way. Salas fails to make her birdie putt on 17, while Ernst leaves her very makeable birdie effort short on 18. Madsen tidies up for par, and the match is halved. Austin Ernst ties with Nanna Koerstz Madsen.
A sense that there’s some real American momentum developing now. As the home fans celebrate Ernst’s fine shot into 18, Salas repeats the trick at 17 to ratchet up the pressure on Castren. She’s six feet past. Castren finds the green with her second, but she’s left with a 20-footer uphill. Advantage USA here too! Meanwhile Jessica Korda goes one up on Charley Hull - par’s enough for her at 14 - while Ciganda’s antics at 16 lead to an inevitable win for Altomare at 16! The USA have the wind behind all right, and a famous comeback victory could be on the cards!
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (17)
Salas v Castren 1UP (16)
1UP Altomare v Ciganda (16)
4UP Khang v Popov (14)
3UP Noh v Reid (14)
1UP J Korda v Hull (14)
Kang v Pedersen 2UP (12)
USA 8½-12½ Europe
Madsen to hit first from the centre of the 18th fairway. She’s a good distance shorter than her opponent, but finds the middle of the green. Not particularly close - she’s left with a slippery 25-foot downhill putt - but not bad either. However it leaves the door ajar for Ernst, who is close enough to attack the flag. She sticks a wonderful second over the flag to eight feet, and it’s advantage USA!
Koerstz Madsen and Ernst take turns to larrup drives down the track at 18. Stunning shots under the circumstances. Ciganda’s flay miles right at the drivable 16th is perhaps not so great. Now is not the time to start driving like Seve.
Mel Reid’s putter has been off all day, and she misses another short one on 14. It costs her the hole against Yealimi Noh. Reid’s now three down with four to play, and that brave fightback after that awful four-hole cold start looks all in vain.
Matilda Castren and Lizette Salas tie 16 in birdie. A couple of staunch putts under extreme pressure. And what about this from Nanna Madsen on 17? She sends a birdie effort five feet past the hole, and you fear for her as a player who has spoken of their struggle with the old jangling nerves. But in goes the par saver for the half, and she’ll go up the last with Austin Ernst all square!
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (17)
Salas v Castren 1UP (16)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (15)
4UP Khang v Popov (14)
2UP Noh v Reid (13)
J Korda A/S Hull (12)
Kang v Pedersen 2UP (12)
USA 8½-12½ Europe
Another hole won by Sophia Popov! Megan Khang can’t deny her by chipping in from the back of 14, and walks off wearing a slight grimace. It’s surely only a matter of time Khang claims her point - she was dormie six - but closing out matches on singles day is easier said than done.
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (16)
Salas v Castren 1UP (15)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (15)
4UP Khang v Popov (14)
2UP Noh v Reid (13)
J Korda A/S Hull (12)
Kang v Pedersen 2UP (12)
USA 8½-12½ Europe
Updated
... but what a blow that’s just been landed by Matilda Castren! She’s made some big putts already this week, but none better than the 30-foot right-to-left slider she’s made on 15 for birdie. Lizette Salas can’t respond, and the Finn reclaims the lead with holes running out. Meanwhile some more crucial European momentum on 12, where Danielle Kang’s bogey gives Emily Pedersen some breathing space; Europe are two up in the anchor match.
The enormity of the Solheim Cup is beginning to fray some nerves. On 16, the oft-jittery Nanna Koerstz Madsen is left with a three footer for a birdie and the win ... but she pulls it wide right. The crowd hoot and holler as Austin Ernst departs the scene imploring them to make even more noise. What a let-off for Team USA!
What’s this noise on 14 all about? Brittany Altomare has just raked in a 50 footer, that’s what! Astonishing! Could that be the blow that sends Europe, who looked en route to victory a while back, off track? What looked almost certain now looks very much in the balance. What a putt ... and what a comeback by Altomare! That will have reverberated around the course.
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (15)
Salas A/S Castren (14)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (14)
5UP Khang v Popov (13)
2UP Noh v Reid (12)
J Korda A/S Hull (12)
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (11)
USA 8½-12½ Europe
USA 8½-12½ Europe
Hall sends her third from bunker to the heart of the green. Nelly, sitting up in the rough at the back, opts to lag close with putter. She steers her ball delicately to kick-in distance, at which point Hall concedes. The USA have their first full point of the afternoon! Nelly Korda beats Georgia Hall 1UP.
Updated
A three-putt bogey for Austin Ernst on 15. Careless, and she’s all square with Nanna Madsen again. Meanwhile Sophia Popov, with little left to play for but pride, grabs a hole back off Megan Khang at 13. She’s still five down, mind.
Nelly gets a bit of a flyer from the rough. Whoa! Her ball whistles through the green, past the flag, and nearly into the bunker at the back. It ends up in the rough between green and trap. No matter, though, because Hall can only advance her ball from one bunker to another. The USA are in the box seat now.
Nelly Korda just needs a half down 18 for the USA’s first full point of the afternoon. She pulls her drive into the gallery down the left, but her lie looks decent enough. Plus the fact Georgia Hall has hoicked her tee shot into sand down the right, and the downhill lie she’s left herself doesn’t look favourable at all.
Nelly Korda has a 12-foot birdie putt on 17 to win her match ... but it’s always missing on the left, and she’ll be going up the last with Georgia Hall. Meanwhile back on 13, Brittany Altomare holes a huge right-to-left swinger for birdie, and that halves her arrears with Carlota Ciganda. Europe are just one and a half points away from retaining their cup, and two shy of winning it outright ... but so many matches are in the balance, European fans would be wise to keep their counsel.
1UP N Korda v Hall (17)
1UP Ernst v Koerstz Madsen (14)
Salas A/S Castren (13)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (13)
6UP Khang v Popov (12)
2UP Noh v Reid (11)
J Korda v Hull 1UP (10)
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (10)
USA 7½-12½ Europe
USA 7½-12½ Europe
Thompson and Nordqvist take turns to shave the side of the hole at 18, and they end an entertaining ding-dong battle all square. Any other result would have been a travesty, really. Lexi Thompson tied with Anna Nordqvist.
A huge stroke of good fortune for Charley Hull in the penultimate match. She tugs her approach left, but the ball caroms off a grassy knoll, breaking straight right, and rolls to four feet. But then the golfing gods snatch it back, her birdie putt outrageously looping out. She remains one up on Jessica Korda.
Thompson is on 18 in regulation. Not particularly close, it has to be said. A slight chink of light for Nordqvist. She doesn’t take full advantage, landing her ball 20 feet from the flag. But she’s a good 15 feet inside Thompson, and will be able to go to school on her putt. Meanwhile Salas, who had been struggling on the front nine, seems to have rediscovered her form of the weekend: birdie at 13, and she’s clawed her way back to all square. This is far from over, like you need to be told that.
Poor Mina Harigae is in floods of tears after her heavy defeat by Celine Boutier. Her caddy tries his best to console her. This means everything right now.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (17)
1UP N Korda v Hall (15)
1UP Ernst v Koerstz Madsen (13)
Salas v Castren 1UP (12)
Altomare v Ciganda 2UP (12)
6UP Khang v Popov (11)
2UP Noh v Reid (10)
J Korda v Hull 1UP (9)
Kang A/S Pedersen (9)
USA 7-12 Europe
Lexi tidies up for par on 17, and the lead match heads up the last. Meanwhile Nelly Korda ends up with bogey on 15 after her antics in the rough, and her lead over Georgia Hall is cut in half. Better news for the Americans on 9, where Danielle Kang levels up against Emily Pedersen, and on 13, where Austin Ernst hits the lead against Nanna Madsen, and bounces off the green waving her arms in the excitable style. The crowd respond accordingly. This isn’t over yet, and the crowd are doing their bit.
USA 7-12 Europe
Celine Boutier, with two putts to win at the 14th, puts another point on the board for Europe. She’s routed the rookie Mina Harigae, and Europe are beginning to scent victory. Celine Boutier beats Mina Harigae 5&4.
Updated
Nelly Korda can’t control her third into 15, the ball flying through the green and into sand at the back. A big chance here for Georgia Hall to halve the deficit. Up on 17/16, meanwhile, Lexi Thompson finds the right-hand portion of the green with her approach, then very nearly drains a 35-footer across it for birdie. The ball drifts a couple of feet past, and won’t be conceded. Nordqvist, who sent her second straight at the flag from the 17th, rolls up to kick-in distance. The birdie putt never looked like dropping, but it’s enough for at least a half.
USA 7-11 Europe
Ewing and Sagstrom both send their tee shots at 16 into greenside sand. Both splash out close. But Ewing can’t make her six-foot birdie putt. Sagstrom is a little bit closer, and that’s another point on the board for Europe! The controversy of Saturday afternoon seems an awfully long time ago right now. Madelene Sagstrom beats Ally Ewing 3&2.
Updated
Nelly Korda, out of position in thick rough down the right of 15, lets the cabbage snag her club. She advances it maybe 30 yards, and it’s still in the thick stuff. Trouble here.
On the 17th tee, Thompson takes the line she’s taken all week: over the trees down the left and onto the 16th fairway, for a better angle coming in. She only just clears the trees, mind. But fortune favours the brave, and she’s in the middle of the 16th fairway. Nordqvist takes the more conventional route, down the centre of the hole they’re actually on.
Thompson bounces back immediately, getting up and down from greenside sand at the drivable par-four 16th for birdie. Nordqvist’s chip in was distinctly average, and the leading match is all square again! But better news for Europe back on 15, where Sagstrom goes two up with three to play.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist 1UP (16)
Ewing v Sagstrom 2UP (15)
2UP N Korda v Hall (14)
Harigae v Boutier 4UP (12)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (12)
Salas v Castren 2UP (11)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (10)
5UP Khang v Popov (9)
2UP Noh v Reid (9)
J Korda v Hull 2UP (8)
Kang A/S Pedersen (7)
USA 7-10 Europe
It’s looking promising for Europe right now. But, well, y’know. Ernst pulls level with Madsen at 11, while Jessica Korda’s bogey six on the 8th extends Hull’s lead to two holes.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (15)
Ewing v Sagstrom 1UP (14)
Kupcho v Maguire 5&4 (F)
1UP N Korda v Hall (13)
Harigae v Boutier 4UP (12)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (11)
Salas v Castren 1UP (10)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (9)
5UP Khang v Popov (9)
2UP Noh v Reid (8)
J Korda v Hull 2UP (8)
Kang A/S Pedersen (7)
USA 7-10 Europe
Updated
USA 7-10 Europe
The first point of the day goes to Europe, and it’s been long coming. Jennifer Kupcho can’t scramble her par from the fringe at the back of 14. She picks up and gives the irrepressible Leona Maguire a hug. The rookie wins 5&4, and having played every single match, she’s contributed four-and-a-half points to Europe’s new total of ten. What a performance! A new world star is born. Leona Maguire beats Jennifer Kupcho 5&4.
Updated
Turns out that Thompson doesn’t concede Nordqvist’s tiddler. Stakes are high, I suppose. And that’s amply illustrated by Thompson’s nervous shove at her birdie putt, which drifts apologetically to the right. Nordqvist tidies up, and takes the lead at a crucial juncture. Meanwhile Boutier and Harigae share the spoils at 12, the European staying four up in that match.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (15)
Ewing v Sagstrom 1UP (14)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (13)
2UP N Korda v Hall (12)
Harigae v Boutier 4UP (12)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (10)
Salas v Castren 1UP (9)
Altomare v Ciganda 2UP (9)
6UP Khang v Popov (8)
2UP Noh v Reid (8)
J Korda v Hull 1UP (7)
Kang A/S Pedersen (7)
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Nordqvist nearly holes out for eagle from 185 yards on 15. That birdie putt is almost certainly going to be conceded, so it’s over to Lexi from 146 yards. And what a response! She smacks her second to four feet! Shades of Ernst and Madsen trading near-albatrosses at the 2nd. This match is going down 18, isn’t it?
Updated
The US broadcasters have shown next to nothing of Celine Boutier. She’s just gone four up against Mina Harigae, and while she’s only just found the fringe at the front of the par-three 12th, she’s still in the box seat as Harigae dumps her ball in a bunker at the front, at least one club short. Meanwhile up on 14, Ally Ewing has a four-footer to level her match with Madelene Sagstrom ... but pushes it wide right.
Europe only need five-and-a-half points to win the Solheim Cup; they only require five to retain it. If things finished now, they have eight-and-a-half points and would romp home. But five of those points are from matches in which they’re just one up ... and three of those have yet to hit the turn. All of which is a long-winded way of pointing out that nothing’s over yet.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (14)
Ewing v Sagstrom 1UP (13)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (12)
2UP N Korda v Hall (12)
Harigae v Boutier 3UP (10)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (9)
Salas v Castren 1UP (8)
Altomare v Ciganda 2UP (8)
5UP Khang v Popov (7)
2UP Noh v Reid (7)
J Korda v Hull 1UP (6)
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (6)
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Thompson pulls her second at 14 into the thick rough lining the back of the green. She opts to sweep it on with a hybrid, but clumsily chunks, and she’s left with an awkward 15 footer. Her par effort slides by the right-hand side of the cup, and that opens the door for Nordqvist, who has a relatively straight par putt of her own from four feet. But she shoves an extremely nervous one right, and a huge opportunity to go ahead at a crucial time is spurned. A huge let-off for Thompson.
Nelly Korda restores her two-hole lead over Georgia Hall. She sends her second at 11 to six feet, and calmly rolls the straight putt in for birdie. Finally, the world number one appears to have rediscovered her mojo.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (13)
Ewing v Sagstrom 2UP (12)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (12)
2UP N Korda v Hall (11)
Harigae v Boutier 3UP (9)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (9)
Salas v Castren 1UP (8)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (7)
5UP Khang v Popov (7)
2UP Noh v Reid (6)
J Korda v Hull 1UP (6)
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (5)
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Jessica Korda halves Charley Hull’s lead, reward for a delicious approach at 6. Lizette Salas’s putter meanwhile seems to have gone stone cold. She was making pretty much everything at the weekend; now she’s misreading a couple. Bogey at 7 and Matilda Castren takes the lead again. And on 12, Maguire pulls her short birdie putt, which is a shame, but she remains four up on her opponent with holes now running out for Kupcho.
On Fire Maguire clips her tee shot at the par-three 12th to four feet. Whatever happens from here on, she’s announced herself as a major star. What a player. What moxie! Speaking of which, Mel Reid has just pulled another back against Yealimi Noh; that nightmare four-hole start suddenly seems a long time ago. She’s just two down now.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (13)
Ewing v Sagstrom 2UP (12)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (11)
1UP N Korda v Hall (10)
Harigae v Boutier 3UP (9)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (8)
Salas v Castren 1UP (8)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (7)
4UP Khang v Popov (6)
2UP Noh v Reid (6)
J Korda v Hull 2UP (5)
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (5)
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Georgia Hall halves her partially self-inflicted deficit against Nelly Korda by sticking her approach at 10 to 12 feet and rolling in the putt. She awards herself a little fist-pump by way of celebration. That’s a fine response. Given what happened on the 6th, and the subsequent turnaround in fortunes, she could be forgiven for getting a little down on herself. That’s clearly not going to happen, but then she’s not a major champion for nothing.
Madelene Sagstrom smiles broadly as she sashays off the 12th green. That’s because she’s just knocked her tee shot to nine feet, and rattled in the putt for a birdie that puts her two up on Ally Ewing. The misfortunes of Saturday afternoon a long way from her mind right now, though the scene of the crime - the 13th green - is coming up. The gods of golf and karma owe her something at this hole. Will they deliver?
Updated
Jennifer Kupcho has a chance to grab a hole back against Leona Maguire at 10. But she seriously underhits her birdie putt, and must settle for a half. On Sky, the legendary Dottie Pepper describes that weird effort as “a serious power outage”, which just about sums it up. Kupcho’s perfectly capable of generating steam, though, and plenty pours out of her ears as she has a full and frank exchange of views with herself, striking herself on the back with her putter four times before slamming it into her bag. Fair play, she was fully committed to that meltdown. Hey, we’ve all been there.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (12)
Ewing v Sagstrom 1UP (11)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (10)
2UP N Korda v Hall (9)
Harigae v Boutier 2UP (8)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (7)
Salas A/S Castren (7)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (6)
3UP Khang v Popov (5)
3UP Noh v Reid (5)
J Korda v Hull 2UP (4)
Kang A/S Pedersen (3)
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Ciganda rolls in a 12-footer for par on 6 to take the lead against Altomare. Hall misses an uphill eight footer on 9 to drop two behind Nelly Korda; those missed putts on 6 will be looming large in the mind now. Charley Hull fires a dart at the flag on 5, but pulls the short birdie putt she left herself for the win. But on 12, Nordqvist hits to three feet at the par-three and tidies up for birdie. The leading match is all square again.
A busy few moments. A big up and down by Thompson from the back of 11. Nordqvist can’t make her 12-foot eagle putt, and the hole’s halved in birdie. Lexi remains one up. On 10, Sagstrom is close with a birdie chance. Ewing can’t make a par putt from the back, and it’s Europe’s hole. Jessica Korda goes right under a chip with a fluffy lie at 4 and concedes the hole to Charley Hull. Two putts for Madsen from close range for the hole at 7; she hits the lead again against Ernst. Mel Reid stems the bleeding with a win at 5. And back on 9, another huge up and down for the US, with Kupcho wedging to three feet from awful trouble down the back of the green. Maguire can’t make her birdie putt and Kupcho escapes with a half.
1UP Thompson v Nordqvist (11)
Ewing v Sagstrom 1UP (10)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (9)
1UP N Korda v Hall (8)
Harigae v Boutier 1UP (7)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (7)
Salas A/S Castren (6)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (5)
3UP Khang v Popov (5)
3UP Noh v Reid (5)
J Korda v Hull 2UP (4)
Kang A/S Pedersen (3)
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Nelly rolls in her short birdie putt on 8 to move ahead of Georgia Hall for the first time this afternoon. Back on 4, Mel Reid’s nightmare start continues apace, as she’s faced with a downhill 12-footer for par she can’t make. She’s lost all four holes to Yealimi Noh.
Nelly Korda nearly spins her wedge into the cup at 8 from 100 yards for eagle. Had the flagstick not been in, it would most likely have dropped. Instead, she’s left with a three-footer for her birdie. Advantage USA there. Meanwhile up on the drivable par-four 11th, Thompson sends her tee shot through the green, while Nordqvist uses the bank to the left of the putting surface to gather her drive to 12 feet. Great look at eagle coming up!
1UP Thompson v Nordqvist (10)
Ewing A/S Sagstrom (9)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (8)
N Korda A/S Hall (7)
Harigae v Boutier 1UP (7)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (6)
Salas v Castren 1UP (5)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (5)
3UP Khang v Popov (4)
3UP Noh v Reid (3)
J Korda v Hull 1UP (3)
Kang A/S Pedersen (2)
USA 7-9 Europe
Some very uncharacteristic behaviour from Lizette Salas at 5. She shoves a tiddler wide right to award the hole to Matilda Castren, who goes one up. Ally Ewing and Madelene Sagstrom tie 9 in birdie; they’re still all square. But it’s birdie for Charley Hull at 3; she rolls in a 15-foot downhill slider to go one up on Jessica Korda.
1UP Thompson v Nordqvist (10)
Ewing A/S Sagstrom (9)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (8)
N Korda A/S Hall (7)
Harigae v Boutier 1UP (7)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (6)
Salas v Castren 1UP (5)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (5)
3UP Khang v Popov (4)
3UP Noh v Reid (3)
J Korda v Hull 1UP (3)
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (1)
USA 7-9 Europe
Par at 3 is enough to maintain Yealimi Noh’s flying start. She’s three up on Mel Reid in the blink of an eye. A reminder that Noh was one eight-foot putt away from contesting a play-off at this year’s Evian at the age of 19. Here’s how that all panned out. (HBH report also features Leona Maguire’s record-equalling 61.)
Birdie for Madelene Sagstrom at the par-five 8th. She levels up her match against Ally Ewing. And it’s first blood to Emily Kristine Pedersen in the big Oli Brett mind-scrambler against his boss Danielle Kang. Europe are currently up in four, the US in three. This is tight, like we always knew it would be.
1UP Thompson v Nordqvist (9)
Ewing A/S Sagstrom (8)
Kupcho v Maguire 4UP (7)
N Korda A/S Hall (7)
Harigae v Boutier 1UP (6)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (5)
Salas A/S Castren (4)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (3)
2UP Khang v Popov (3)
2UP Noh v Reid (2)
J Korda A/S Hull (1)
Kang v Pedersen 1UP (1)
USA 7-9 Europe
Mel Reid yips a short birdie effort at 2, gifting the hole to Yealimi Noh. It’s a fast start for the 20-year-old rookie, who is two up already. Meanwhile the gallery at 9 explodes in joy as Thompson rolls in a nerveless ten-foot birdie putt for the hole. She had to steel herself and work hard for that, because Nordqvist, seemingly out of the hole having shortsided herself in a greenside bunker, got up and down for par, asking a big question of Lexi. There’s the answer. She hits the front in the lead match for the first time.
On-Fire Maguire rolls in another birdie putt. This isn’t even news any more. She’s four up through seven holes. Still, if anyone is capable of turning this sort of situation around, it’s the 2019 Augusta National champion Jennifer Kupcho, who has already performed some sensational acts of escapism this week.
So having said that, Brittany Altomare pulls a short par putt at the par-three 3rd, gifting Carlota Ciganda the hole. Meanwhile back on 1, the anchor match takes to the tee. Penny for the thoughts of Danielle Kang’s long-term caddy Oliver Brett, who is the partner of Kang’s opponent this afternoon, Emily Kristine Pedersen. Brett either can’t win or can’t lose today, depending on which way you angle the prism. God speed, everyone!
Khang birdies 2 to go two up against Popov in short order. The momentum was with Europe early doors; now it’s the USA who have the wind behind.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (8)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (7)
Kupcho v Maguire 3UP (6)
N Korda A/S Hall (6)
Harigae v Boutier 1UP (5)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (4)
Salas A/S Castren (3)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (2)
2UP Khang v Popov (2)
1UP Noh v Reid (1)
J Korda v Hull
USA 7-9 Europe
A bogey for yesterday evening’s hero Mel Reid on the opening hole. She goes one down against Yealimi Noh. Meanwhile disaster for Georgia Hall on 6. She’s got a five footer to win the hole against Nelly Korda, but misses it on the low side, sending it three feet past. The one coming back lips out, and in a few seconds, with a couple of swishes of the putter, a possible two-hole lead turns into an all-square match. And more good news for the States in the lead match, where Thompson levels up against Nordqvist with birdie at 8 and a determined, defiant punch of the air.
Brittany Altomare becomes the latest player to trundle a sensational approach into 2 and tidy up for eagle with an insouciant swish of the putter. She levels her match with Carlota Ciganda. Meanwhile Mina Harigae can’t hole out from the bunker at 5, and Celine Boutier gets her reward for nearly acing.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (7)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (6)
Kupcho v Maguire 3UP (6)
N Korda v Hall 1UP (5)
Harigae v Boutier 1UP (5)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (3)
Salas A/S Castren (2)
Altomare A/S Ciganda (2)
1UP Khang v Popov (1)
Noh v Reid
USA 7-9 Europe
Another birdie for Leona ‘On Fire’ Maguire. She sends her second at 6 over the flag to eight feet, and coolly steers in the putt. Jennifer Kupcho has been one of the undoubted stars of the week so far, and yet she’s got no answer for the brilliant Irish player. She’s three down after six holes, having done very little wrong.
Updated
An opening birdie for Megan Khang, who immediately goes one up against Sophia Popov. Meanwhile it’s nearly a hole in one for Celine Boutier on the par-three 5th. Straight at the flag, four little skips, and the ball stops 18 inches from the hole. That’ll be conceded, and Mina Harigae will have to hole out from a bunker at the back to scramble an unlikely half.
European singles specialist Carlota Ciganda opens her match by going one up. Ally Ewing rattles in a 20-footer on 6 to salvage a half. Austin Ernst ties up her match with Nanna Madsen with birdie on 3. Anna Nordqvist bounces back against Lexi Thompson with birdie at 7. Nelly Korda pulls one back against Georgia Hall at the par-three 5th. And Lizette Salas has two putts for the win at 2. No problem, and she’s level with Matilda Castren again.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (7)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (6)
Kupcho v Maguire 2UP (5)
N Korda v Hall 1UP (5)
Harigae A/S Boutier (3)
Ernst A/S Koerstz Madsen (3)
Salas A/S Castren (2)
Altomare v Ciganda 1UP (1)
Khang v Popov
Noh v Reid
USA 7-9 Europe
Imagine nearly making an albatross at the Solheim and not winning the hole, though. A half in eagle!
🗣 "That is incredible!" 😵
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 6, 2021
Austin Ernst is inches away from an albatross at the second, only for Nanna Koerstz Madsen to go close too! 🦅
📺 Watch the Solheim Cup live now on Sky Sports Golf! pic.twitter.com/mY0OyJz7aS
While that borderline psychedelic sequence of events on 2 was unfolding, other stories were developing nicely. Thompson has levelled her match with Nordqvist with par at 6. Maguire goes two up over Kupcho with birdie at 4. The usually dependable putter of Salas misfires on 1 to gift a hole to Castren. And Hall rakes in a long effort across 4 to double her lead over Nelly Korda. It is, to quote the great comedian London-based comedian Danny Boon, all happening.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (6)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (5)
Kupcho v Maguire 2UP (4)
N Korda v Hall 2UP (4)
Harigae A/S Boutier (3)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (2)
Salas v Castren 1UP (1)
Altomare v Ciganda
USA 7-9 Europe
Austin Ernst nearly holes the shot of the week - of the year?! - on the par-five 2nd. Coming out of the rough down the right, she bumps her second into the front of the green, the ball breaking to the left, gathering towards the flag. It’s one turn away from dropping for albatross. Amazing! But what happens next almost defies belief. Nanna Koerstz Madsen, from the semi on the left, creams her second straight at the flag. After a couple of bounces, the ball rolls towards the hole, threatening albatross as well! Her ball kisses Ernst’s, snooker style, nearly cutting it into the hole. Madsen’s goes the other way, stopping a couple of feet to the left. The quality of golf this week has been through the roof, but that was stratospheric. What a couple of shots! Appropriately, they tie the hole with eagles.
A chance for Mina Harigae to win 2 from six feet, but she pulls the putt. Her match with Celine Boutier remains all square. The crowd are a little subdued at the moment, and Nanna Koerstz Madsen winning her opening hole against Austin Ernst won’t help matters. Madsen can struggle with the old jangling nerves at times - see that heartbreaking shank from the bunker on the last at Carnoustie last month - so hopefully that’s a settler.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (5)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (4)
Kupcho v Maguire 1UP (3)
N Korda v Hall 1UP (3)
Harigae A/S Boutier (2)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen 1UP (1)
Salas v Castren
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Thompson and Nordqvist share the spoils at 5. Lexi asks to see her opponent’s two-footer, which on the one hand is an understandable demand, but also a bold tactic given her own propensity to miss short putts. The more reliable Nordqvist tidies up without fuss, and with the gauntlet having been thrown down early doors, may start asking to see a few tiddlers herself. Meanwhile Ewing regains the lead in match two, the first splash of red colour on the board.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (5)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (4)
Kupcho v Maguire 1UP (3)
N Korda v Hall 1UP (2)
Harigae A/S Boutier (1)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen
Salas v Castren
USA 7-9 Europe
Nelly can’t make her eagle putt, though. And so Hall, having wedged to four feet, tidies up for a half. That’s an escape for Europe. But there’s relief for the US up on 3, where Maguire misses a par putt from four feet that would have put her two up.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (4)
Ewing A/S Sagstrom (3)
Kupcho v Maguire 1UP (3)
N Korda v Hall 1UP (2)
Harigae A/S Boutier (1)
Ernst v Koerstz Madsen
USA 7-9 Europe
Nelly digs something out before it’s too late! Having sent a monster drive down the middle of 2, she caresses her second over the flag to ten feet. What a shot! That’s a superb eagle opportunity, while Hall isn’t on the green. Meanwhile up on 4, Nordqvist pours in a right-to-left 20-footer to salvage a half from a hole Thompson thought she’d won.
Maguire whips her hybrid onto the green at the par-three 3rd. It’s nowhere near the flag, though, so the door’s slightly ajar for Kupcho ... but the American sends her effort into another greenside bunker. It’s all going to plan for Europe so far, but really, look at the time, let’s not even go there, not yet.
Maguire walks in her eagle putt on 2. Such a cool customer. What a talent she is. Europe go one up. And they’ve been handed an early advantage back on 1, where Nelly yips one from short range to gift the hole to Hall. The Olympic champ hasn’t been able to locate her A-game this week; can she dig something out before it’s too late?
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (3)
Ewing A/S Sagstrom (3)
Kupcho v Maguire 1UP (2)
N Korda v Hall 1UP (1)
Harigae v Boutier
USA 7-9 Europe
Leona Maguire, having split the 2nd fairway, whistles a glorious hybrid to 12 feet, setting up a big eagle chance. That’s put the heat on Jennifer Kupcho, in fairway sand. Kupcho sends her second into Ally Ewing’s bunker, front right of the green, so it’s advantage Europe. “Great to see Leona’s long route to becoming an overnight sensation has paid off,” quips the tinder-dry Stephen Monks. “Now I want some kind of Ryder/Solheim cup mashup with Leona paired up with Shane Lowry.” What a year she’s had, though, with that 61 at the Evian the highlight ... until now, that is? Speaks volumes of her contribution here that matching the record low score in a major may yet end up in the shade when Maguire’s 2021 tale is told.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (3)
Ewing A/S Sagstrom (2)
Kupcho A/S Maguire (1)
N Korda v Hall
USA 7-9 Europe
Sagstrom birdies the par-five 2nd in uneventful fashion. It’s enough to tie the match, because Ewing can’t get up and down from greenside sand. Meanwhile Thompson’s putting woes momentarily look to be reasserting themselves on 3, as she sends a long putt eight feet wide. But she gathers herself and calmly rolls the par putt in to ensure the hole is halved.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (3)
Ewing A/S Sagstrom (2)
Kupcho A/S Maguire (1)
N Korda v Hall
USA 7-9 Europe
Kupcho does extremely well to find the heart of 1 from the fairway bunker. She lags a long putt to kick-in distance, and it’s enough to tie the hole. Back on the tee, good friends Georgia Hall and Nelly Korda prepare to square up for the next few hours. Hall’s drive slips into the semi-rough, but Nelly, who hasn’t been on her game at all so far this week, rips one down the middle. Then she bounces around in a huge circle, whooping up the crowd, who are now one louder at 11.
Thompson v Nordqvist 1UP (2)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (1)
Kupcho A/S Maguire (1)
N Korda v Hall
USA 7-9 Europe
Thompson’s second at the par-five 2nd nestles on a grassy knoll above a bunker. She’d have been better in the sand, because an awful uphill lie and awkward stance contribute to an ugly shank. The ball squirts to the back of a green at a right angle, in exactly the opposite direction to the hole. She does well to lag the monster birdie putt she leaves herself to three feet, but with Nordqvist at the back of the green herself in two, the damage may well be done. And indeed it is. Hole to Europe.
Updated
It’s Jennifer Kupcho versus Leona Maguire! This could well be the match of the day. Maguire is the only player to have played in all four previous sessions, and she’s top-scored for Europe with three-and-a-half points. Down the fairway her ball whistles. Then, to extended bedlam, specifically requested by the player, Kupcho, who has contributed two-and-a-half points from her three appearances, pulls her drive into a fairway bunker. Up on the green, it’s a two-putt par for Ewing, enough to win the hole, Sagstrom having sent her second into greenside rough. First blood to Team USA!
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (1)
1UP Ewing v Sagstrom (1)
Kupcho v Maguire
USA 7-9 Europe
Updated
Much will depend on the temperature of Lexi Thompson’s putter today. Her flat stick is erratic, to say the least. She leaves her first putt well short, then misreads a six-footer for par. The door’s open for Nordqvist, but her own five-foot par effort lips out. A let-off for Team USA, and no Des Moinesesque fast start for the Swede this time round. Meanwhile back on the party tee, Ally Ewing and Madelene Sagstrom hit the course. Sagstrom, so unfortunate to find herself at the heart of topplegate on Saturday afternoon, will be especially desperate to chalk up a point. She sends her opening drive into a bunker down the left. Ewing splits the fairway.
Thompson A/S Nordqvist (1)
Ewing v Sagstrom
USA 7-9 Europe
Nordqvist’s second into 1 topples back off the false front. Thompson finds the dancefloor, but she’s pulled it well to the left, and faces a long putt from the fringe. They’ll both be putting from distance. This lead match is a repeat of a classic Solheim showdown at Des Moines in 2017, when Nordqvist went four up in the first four holes, only for Lexi to storm back into a late one-hole lead. Nordqvist hit her approach at 18 to 12 inches for a birdie to scramble a half. More of that today, please!
Here we go, then! The first singles match takes to the tee. The punters in the Patriots Pavilion (yessir!) are beyond rowdy. What an atmosphere! And no wonder, given the antics of Team USA mascot Bubba Watson, who has just performed one of those fashionable new rap songs. You may remember Bubba as one quarter of the boyband Golf Boys. Any old excuse.
Anyway, Anna Nordqvist hits the first shot of the day, finding the semi-rough down the left. Her opponent Lexi Thompson splits the fairway to great acclaim. It’s happening!
Preamble
Defending Solheim Cup champions Europe head into the final day singles with a two-point lead. The USA however are on home soil, and have an average world ranking of 26.2, while Europe’s average is merely 44.1. But then the Europeans have collectively won five major titles to America’s three. The last major was won a couple of weeks ago by Anna Nordqvist, with Georgia Hall, Madelene Sagstrom and Nanna Koerstz Madsen in hot pursuit. However, Lizette Salas was also in hot pursuit. Meanwhile Nelly Korda won the PGA this year, as well as Olympic gold, and is the world number one.
This week, Leona Maguire has been a rookie sensation. Yealimi Noh has been a rookie sensation. Mina Harigae has been a rookie sensation. Matilda Castren has been a rookie sensation. Lexi Thompson appeared to shake off her putting demons yesterday morning on 17. Mel Reid hit the shot of the week yesterday afternoon on 18. You’d pick Jennifer Kupcho to make the putt that’d save your life. You’d pick Georgia Hall to make the putt that’d save your life. You’d pick … but let’s not belabour the point. All of which is simply to ask: would anyone look at this upcoming final session of the 17th edition of the Solheim Cup, every match a top-drawer showdown between some of the greatest golfers on the planet, and honestly, honestly, honestly predict how this already wild and wonderful tournament will pan out? (Answer: no. Also: all times BST.)
1705 Lexi Thompson v Anna Nordqvist
1715 Ally Ewing v Madelene Sagstrom
1725 Jennifer Kupcho v Leona Maguire
1735 Nelly Korda v Georgia Hall
1745 Mina Harigae v Celine Boutier
1755 Austin Ernst v Nanna Koerstz Madsen
1805 Lizette Salas v Matilda Castren
1815 Brittany Altomare v Carlota Ciganda
1825 Megan Khang v Sophia Popov
1835 Yealimi Noh v Mel Reid
1845 Jessica Korda v Charley Hull
1855 Danielle Kang v Emily Kristine Pedersen
USA 7-9 Europe
Strap yourself in, then. The first two days of the 2021 Solheim Cup have been your average golfing experience – exciting, sensational, exhilarating, controversial, discombobulating, upsetting, life-affirming, joyous and borderline trippy – so how can the Labor Day singles not deliver a denouement to match? “I mean, just look again at these pairings!” splutters Dr Golf, who is on hand all afternoon to monitor your heart-rate, check your blood pressure and monitor your heart-rate. It’s on!
