4 hours ago
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It has been the great anomaly of this Solheim Cup. Europe keeping perfect pace with the United States is an impressive achievement even without factoring in the meagre points contribution from Charley Hull and Lottie Woad. European hopes of reclaiming the trophy lost to the United States two years ago surely depend heavily on their star turns finding singles form.
The heroics of Jennifer Kupcho in fading light dashed Europe’s ambitions of taking a lead. It is 8-8 as things stand. A 12-match shootout remains.
Anna Nordqvist’s deployment of Hull and Woad as a pairing on Saturday morning has to be considered odd. The duo had claimed half a point from three previous outings. Hull does not look particularly suited to foursomes. Woad is a Solheim Cup debutant. Nordqvist, it appeared, focused heavily on the status of both players inside the world’s top 10. The tactic backfired; Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin thumped the English pair, 6&5. Undeterred, Nordqvist sent Hull and Woad back out. This time it was Yealimi Noh and Andrea Lee who emerged victorious.
“I don’t think people understand these are the best players in the world,” said Nordqvist when asked whether Saturday afternoon selection was wise. “I think they played [against] the strongest pairings in each session. Lottie herself made six birdies yesterday in the afternoon. So they’re playing solid and I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a little bit of blue on that board this afternoon.”
The Swede’s hopes proved in vain. Troubles on the greens undermined the performance of Hull and Woad as the Americans prevailed on the final green. The Europeans gave the regular impression they would rather be elsewhere. A high point came on the 17th, where Woad’s brave putt from 15ft kept the match alive. At the final tee, Hull pulled a fairway wood into water.
Nordqvist’s decision-making created history, with Hull and Woad the first to play four sessions together in the same Solheim Cup. Nordqvist’s faith has failed to find reward. In fairness, in Noh the Europeans in question faced the player of this event. She has been exceptional.
Hull and Woad said they knew they would play every session, which raises questions over how nimble their captain is. “It was pretty frustrating,” said Hull of the fourball loss. Woad added: “It doesn’t matter who wins the points. I would happily lose my matches if we win.”
This is indeed a team business. After back-to-back tied sessions, Europe forged ahead on Saturday morning. The superb Maja Stark and Linn Grant saw off Allisen Corpuz and the world No 1, Nelly Korda. Angela Stanford, the US captain, stood down Korda after lunch.
Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit enjoyed a successful reunion as they defeated the US pair of Kupcho and Rose Zhang. The European rookies Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud were again outstanding as they claimed a point from Auston Kim and Andrea Lee. Alison Lee and Coughlin returned the sole US reward of the foursomes.
Coughlin will be the only US player to feature in all five sessions. Stanford explained that was not determined before the event. Coughlin and Megan Khang tasted fourball defeat to Stark and Grant. “Maja played out of her mind,” Coughlin said.
Noh and Andrea Lee confirmed victory over Hull and Woad on the last green. Kim and Zhang were 3&2 winners over Maguire and Nadaud. In seeking to tie the fourball session, Europe needed Carlota Ciganda and Céline Boutier to hold off Kupcho and Lindy Duncan.
Europe were two up after 14. A three from Duncan on the 15th narrowed the deficit, but the Europeans looked like they would do enough to cling on. Enter Kupcho, who converted in extraordinary circumstances from 90ft and off the green at the 17th. She followed it up with a birdie from 30ft at the last. From moments like these, Solheim Cups are won. No wonder Ciganda and Boutier looked distraught.
A background cause for concern for the US arrived from Angel Yin. The 27-year-old had been a serious doubt to feature due to illness that significantly disrupted her season. That Yin did not play on Saturday was no great shock, but the sight of her pounding balls for a lengthy time on the driving range as competitive action unfolded elsewhere implied she is struggling for form.
Yin and the US need six points from the 12 remaining to hold on to the trophy. Six and a half is the European requirement. Momentum is suddenly with the visitors.
