Europeans simply stunning at Solheim Cup
European golf is set to get the sort of boost it received when their men’s Ryder Cup team defeated the favourites (America) to win their encounter last September, when the European Solheim Cup team takes a massive five point lead over the USA side into the final round of at the Colorado Golf Club in Denver in Colorado.
The Europeans take that lead into tomorrow’s singles match-ups knowing they need just 3½ more points to retain the trophy they won in Ireland in 2011 and just four points to win this particular encounter .
For the Americans they need a highly improbable although not yet impossible nine points from the 12 points available to secure the trophy, that task made even more difficult by the fact they have been totally outplayed by a European side considered long-shots to win on foreign soil.
Funnily enough it was a very similar deficit the European Ryder Cup side turned around last year at Medinah last September although somehow this time it appears a bridge too far for the Americans
The Europeans clawed back the ground they had lost in the morning four-ball on Saturday with a whitewash in the afternoon foursomes and as they head into tomorrow’s final round they lead by 10½ to 5½.
It has been a contest of the dramatic and controversial with two rulings in particular, both vigorously debated by the US side, lasting at least 30 minutes each adding to the tension that was almost palpable at times.
At the final hole on day two and as darkness closed in, Frenchwoman Karine Icher, holed a putt from off the green to snuff out a spirited comeback by Americans Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel. That 50 foot putt not only halted the comeback from the Americans who had trailed by three through ten holes, but effectively put paid to any genuine chance of the Americans staying at least in touch heading into the final day.
There have been many stars in the spirited performance of the Europeans but perhaps none more so than Caroline Hedwall who is the only player to have won all four of her matches to date.
Tomorrow the Americans must begin quickly and build early momentum and in order for this to happen Captain Meg Mallon has her number one striker, Stacy Lewis up against Anna Nordqvist in the opening match and Paula Creamer against 17 year old Charley Hull.
The third match out will see Brittany Lang up against Azaharo Munoz.
It will be imperative for the Americans to get on a role early as if they do not then their already forlorn hopes will be dashed completely and a European side that has performed well above expectation and boxed well above their weight.