US beat Europe to end seven-year Solheim Cup drought

The United States ended their seven-year Solheim Cup drought with a tight 15½-12½ victory over Europe in Virginia.

World number two Lilia Vu delivered the winning moment – holing a short birdie putt on the 18th to secure a half point against Albane Valenzuela – after holders Europe had pushed the hosts close in a tense and thrilling finale.

“It could have gone either way, it’s crazy how it unfolded,” said US captain Stacy Lewis.

“It’s amazing how often these things come down to half a point here and there and we’re happy to be on the right side this time.”

Europe skipper Suzann Pettersen added: “We gave them a run for their money. We had a chance, there were possibilities and several times we thought we could get it done.

“I’m happy for Stacy on home turf but we’ll come back very hungry.

“I’ve truly enjoyed it, win or lose. It’s fun to win, a little bit more painful to lose.”

The foundations for the US victory were laid on Friday when the US won both sessions 3-1 to open a 6-2 lead.

A solid layer was added on Saturday when the hosts repelled a strong European challenge in the morning foursomes and also tied the afternoon fourballs to take a 10-6 lead into Sunday.

But Pettersen’s players went to bed dreaming of a ‘Manassas miracle’ – referencing the European Ryder Cup’s ‘Medinah miracle’ when they came from 10-6 down to triumph against all odds in 2012 – and they almost delivered on a warm day near Washington DC.

The Europeans all strode confidently but quietly on to the first tee, in complete contrast to their opponents who were revelling in the raucous atmosphere, dancing their way across the tee and further whipping up the expectant home support.

Europe needed eight points to reach the 14 they required to lift the trophy for a record fourth successive time and Pettersen said she had no option but to push her “form” players out early in Sunday’s 12 singles matches.

And English pair Charley Hull and Georgia Hall led from the front.

Hull, out first against world number one Nelly Korda, raced to a superb 6&4 win, while Hall delivered a second European point from match three with a similarly dominant 4&3 victory over Alison Lee.

But, in between those results, Megan Khang demolished Emily Pedersen 6&5 to put the US 11-8 ahead and within three and a half points of success.

Two of those red points quickly followed with Allisen Corpuz beating Anna Nordqvist 4&3, while former world amateur number one Zhang crushed Carlota Ciganda 6&4 to be the only player to score four points this week.

But then the nerves crept in with European blue flooding the bottom half of the scoreboard and setting up a dramatic climax on the banks of Lake Manassas.

Germany’s Olympic silver medallist Esther Henseleit won four straight holes from the eighth to turn around her match from two down to two up against Andrea Lee, while Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and Ireland’s Leona Maguire were also ahead.

The European momentum continued with Celine Boutier winning three holes on the trot from the 12th to move level with the retiring Lexi Thompson, and Linn Grant also came from three down against Jennifer Kupcho to be level after nine.

But as so often happens, the tide turned.

US debutant Sarah Schmelzel, who had two chip-ins and an eagle in her round, drew level with Sagstrom on the long 14th.

Up ahead, Andrea Lee fought back to take Henseleit down the 18th. The German then fell agonisingly short with a 20-foot putt to win a point as the US scrambled a crucial half.

That opened the door for Thompson to end her Solheim career in fairytale fashion by securing the winning point, but she missed a birdie putt on the last, and a calm Boutier holed hers to add another blue point.

Moments later Maguire completed her 4&3 victory over Ally Ewing to keep Europe in touch at 13½-10½ down – and fans of both teams scouring the scoreboard for where the remaining points would be won.

Home favourite Lauren Coughlin, who had come from three down after 10 against Maja Stark, was the first to have a putt to win the trophy, but her 15-footer came up shy and the Swede nervelessly holed from 10 feet to keep Europe alive, albeit at 14-11 down.

Switzerland’s Valenzuela and Vu were next down the 18th. The American won the 17th with a 15-foot putt to keep her match alive, having been two down with two left to play.

She then brilliantly coaxed her approach to the last hole to within two feet and Valenzuela was forced to hole a 30-footer to halve the hole and win the match. She missed, Vu tapped in and the American celebrations started.

The final two matches saw Sagstrom win on the 18th to pick up another point for Europe, while Kupcho completed a 2&1 win over Grant on the 17th.