A passionate victory for America
Controversy surrounding a non-conceded putt on the 17th hole cast a black shadow over the final day of play in the 14th edition of the Solheim Cup in Germany. The unfortunate misunderstanding created anger and tears during one of the early morning 4-ball matches, which had to be finished off before Sunday’s traditional twelve singles could get underway.
As darkness fell at the St. Leon-Rot golf course in Germany last Saturday evening and three of the four remaining 4-ball matches had to be carried forward to the next morning, no-one could have ever imagined what impact that was going to have on the Solheim Cup’s Sunday singles.
Unfinished matches are always unsettling. Even more so in a competition with the prestige of the Solheim Cup, which in the world of women professional golfers is as coveted as the Ryder Cup. Now instead of the whole Sunday focus being on the crucial, and often decisive, Sunday singles, the 4-ball matches had to be finished off first. The overnight score: Europe 8 – 5 USA. This soon changed to: Europe 9 – 6 USA after the first two of the remaining matches from Saturday earned a point for each team. There was now just one 4-ball match still alive. Alive and kicking, as it happened.
Sunday saga on seventeenth
Americans Brittany Lincicome and Alison Lee had been 1-up after 15 holes, but then Charlie Hull from England made a birdie at the 16th to draw the match level. The tension was no doubt rising. At the 17th, America had a chance to get back to 1 up but Lee missed her birdie putt. And this is when the saga began. She apparently thought the putt of about 45 cms had been conceded, so she picked it up. The hole was halved, she thought. But moments later, two times Major winner, Suzann Pettersen, playing with Charlie Hull for Europe, appealed to the referee, saying that the putt, in fact, had not been given. Confusion. Nervous tension. Anger. Tears of emotion. It all happened in the next few minutes.
After a greenside investigation into exactly what had been said and heard, the referee, Dan Maselli, eventually awarded the hole to Europe. America now stood on the 18th tee 1-down. Back in control of her emotions, 19-year old Charlie Hull went on to birdie the 18th to seal the victory, 2-up, and earn another valuable point for Europe, who needed just 14 points to retain the Solheim Cup. America needed 14 ½ points to regain the trophy. Match status: Europe 10 – 6 USA.
Americans stage emotional comeback
The Americans were devastated and angered by the controversial non-conceded putt incident which put them at a distinct disadvantage for the afternoon singles. Even though there were 12 points up for grabs, they were going to have to produce some stunning golf if they were to have any chance of flying home with the Solheim Cup.
Fired-up after the morning of tears and frustration, the American team rallied under their captain, Juli Inkster to produce a dramatic comeback and seize the trophy by the narrowest possible margin: USA 14 ½ – Europe 13 ½.
Inkster inspires team with “fire in the belly” talk
“This is just amazing,” said US captain, Juli Inkster. “I can’t describe the difference in my emotions of this morning to the emotions of this afternoon. My team played so damned good out there. They just never gave up. It was unbelievable.
“I just loved my line-up. I loved the way they stacked up today. I just have so many people I have to thank. It’s a great feeling.
“You know what, I was on them all week,” Inkster added. “You’ve got to play with heart. You’ve got to play with fire in your belly. Never give up. I saw a real team out there today. It didn’t look good early, but they hung in there. A lot of two downs got to evens and then to plus one.”
Although Paula Creamer actually holed the winning putt for the American victory, this Solheim Cup will long be remembered for the unfortunate non-conceded putt incident on the 17th green early Sunday morning. Wendy Hoad
USA 14 ½ – Europe 13 ½
Pictured: The winning American Solheim Cup Team with captain, Julie Inkster and her vice-captains.