Europe retain Solheim Cup in epic Sunday battle
They might not have won the Cup but they did not lose it either – Europe retains the Solheim Cup
The delicate balance that applied on the leaderboard entering the final day of the 2023 Solheim Cup promised much but delivered even more.
At 8 points apiece, the European and USA sides were locked in a battle that would see the Europeans winning the cup for the fifth time in the last seven encounters, the Americans finally breaking the recent domination of Europe or a tied result which would see neither team win but the Europeans retain the Cup.
All three scenarios became genuine possibilities from the first match between Megan Khang and Linn Grant took to the fairways of the Finca Cortesan layout in Andalucia in Spain until the final putt in what would be the deciding match between Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Nelly Korda was holed, giving the Europeans an unbeatable position and the retention of the cup.
Soon after, Lexi Thompson accounted for Sweden’s Emily Pettersen for the teams to share the overall honours but, for the Europeans, it was as good as victory.
Ciganda’s tee shot at the 17th, soon after a birdie to win the 16th, finished just three feet from the hole at the par 3 and when Korda’s chip from just off the green narrowly missed, she was left to secure the cup with her fourth win and a 100% record in front of home crowds.
It was fairytale stuff for Ciganda having won all four of her matches after standing out for the opening Foursomes on day one.
So the European control of the Solheim Cup in recent years continues with the USA having won just twice in the last seven encounters and once again displayed that a star team can often overcome a team of stars given the stronger world ranking of the USA side.
So now it is on to Rome for the Ryder Cup where a similar scenario awaits, the Americans having not won in Europe for 30 years and a partisan local crowd about to provide the Europeans to sort of support they will need to overcome a US side which on paper has considerably greater on paper strength than the ‘home’ side.
