Europeans Keep Solheim Cup


Although Team USA gave it a go, the Europeans simply had too big of a lead for the Americans to overcome in Sunday's 12 singles matches in the Solheim Cup at Colorado Golf Club.

Sweden's Caroline Hedwall - who participated in all five matches and became the first player ever to go 5-0 in Solheim Cup history, appropriately scored the decisive 14th point, making a short birdie putt on the 18th hole to beat Michelle Wie 1-up and allow the Euros to retain the Cup they won two years ago at Killeen Castle in Ireland.

"I'm still shaking here - it's an unbelievable feeling. I was pumped, and I just managed to pull it off," Hedwall said at greenside.

As for the team's attitude entering the biennial competition and their chances to win for the first time on American soil, Hedwall added, "We knew we could compete . . . and we've had great support from the European fans out here."

In the end, the Euros won by the largest margin in Solheim Cup history, 18-10, when the final match between the USA's Cristie Kerr and Karine Icher was halved with both players off the green on the par-4 18th and neither player hitting a third shot as the Colorado skies darkened. USA captain Meg Mallon and Europe's Liselotte Neumann hugged as the players from both teams headed to their respective parties.

After sweeping Saturday afternoon's four-ball matches, the Europeans entered the singles with what became an insurmountable 10½ to 5½ lead. It was an uphill battle for the Americans as no team had ever rallied from more than a two-point deficit to win the Solheim Cup.

But the outcome wasn't decided on schedule, as the sirens sounded at approximately 7:15 EDT to notify the players and fans to head for cover as dangerous weather was coming through the area. At that juncture, Europe only needed an outright win or two halves in the eight unconcluded matches.

After about a 50-minute delay, the players returned to the course under light rain showers. Shortly after play resumed, Hedwall and Wie returned to complete the 18th hole. The Swede hit her approach on the par-4 to four feet below the hole, and Wie hit her's to 20 feet past the cup. After Wie just missed her sliding birdie try, Hedwall rolled the ball into the hole for match and second straight European Solheim Cup win.

The Europeans got off to a good start in the singles Sunday, as 17-year-old Charley Hull - the youngest player ever to play in a Solheim Cup - demolished Paula Creamer 5 and 4 in the second match. Soon after, in Match 1, Anna Nordqvist and Stacy Lewis finished all-square, giving each team a half-point.

In Match 3, Brittany Lang forged a 2-and-1 victory over Azahara Munoz to get the Americans a point, but Carlota Ciganda beat Morgan Pressel 4 and 2 to bring the Euros to 13 points before the horn sounded.

Hedwall took care of things in her match with Wie, and Catriona Matthew's halve with Gerina Piller assured that the Europeans would outscore the Americans in 2013.

In 12 previous Solheim Cups, the Europeans had never recorded back-to-back victories in the biennial competition.

The Americans still lead the overall series 8-5.

For complete scoring updates, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/TeamMatchLeaderboard.aspx?TournamentID=10001.