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Monday, September 16, 2019

Europe's win at Solheim Cup exceeds all expectations

2019 Solheim Cup final scoreboard https://www.solheimcup2019.com/

Once again this years epic Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland reminded us all that golf can produce the most exciting 3 days in all of sport and include the Ryder Cup on the men's side as well.

Here are some of the many tweets:
" Europe won the Solheim Cup but golf won the game"
" Hollywood couldn't have scripted a better ending"
" The most exciting sporting event I have ever witnessed "
" It had it all, drama, heartache, suspense, triumph and a fairy-tale ending at the home of golf"

After 2 enthralling days of foursomes and fourballs there was nothing between the defending champions, USA and Europe, all tied up 8-8 going into Sunday's singles.

In those matches, 4 went to the 18th, 5 went to the 17th it was so close and in the most dramatic fashion, Europe secured a 14 1/2-13 1/2 win to claim the most sought after prize in female golf, ending the USA run of two straight.

Late in the afternoon, the score was 13 1/2-11 1/2 for USA so they needed just a half-point from the final three singles matches to retain the cup.

However Anna Nordqvist completed a 4-and-3 win over Morgan Pressel. Then, sparkplug Bronte Law holed a 20 footer to beat Ally McDonald 2-and-1 to tie the score

Just ahead Scottish Solheim Cup captain, Catriona Matthew's controversial pick Suzann Pettersen, who hadn't played but 2 tournaments since 2017 was now the last match on course with Marina Alex.

Dead even at the 18th, both hit good wedges in, Pettersen's settled 7 feet away, Marina's 15, and she only needed a half to win the Cup. She slid her's by the hole by 3 feet.

Now Pettersen, with her son Herman blissfuly unaware nearby, stood over the biggest prize in the women's game, thousands ringing the historic 18th green at Gleneagles, the world watching on TV and listening to their radio's.

She settled, had a last look then popped it straight into the hole, and into history.

Afterwards she admitted, " coming down No. 18, Beany (Matthew) said this moment is why I picked you.  In your wildest dreams, especially where I’ve come from, I never thought I was going to do this again"

After being mobbed, she hugged and kissed Herman, and promptly retired. "Yeah, this is it. I’m completely done. It doesn’t get any better "

Matthew was carried to off the green on her team's shoulders after the "greatest moment" of her career, American captain Juli Inkster told her team, "the sun’s going to come up tomorrow, you played great and it was great for women’s golf." then announced she wouldn't be back in 2021.

Just down the road from the front gates of stately Gleneagles, in the little town called Auchterarder, there's a bar in the Star Hotel, right on the main road, where the pints are a third of the price of their expensive neighbour.

They closed their doors as usual at 11pm with a ring of the bells for last call. Except this time, with the doors closed, nobody left as the celebrations went on until the wee hours..

It was that kind of weekend, likely never to be seen again..

Bryan Angus

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