Solheim Cup morning foursome

If ever there was a match that summed up the Solheim Cup then it was the battle between Charley Hull and Melissa Reid against the USA pairing of Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr. 

Something would have to give that was for sure, as both partnerships were aiming to extend their amazing runs. This one was always going to be close. 

It would the American pairing that got off to the ideal start. Thompson’s long drive allowed for Kerr to putt for eagle. Kerr proved she was up to the challenge. One hole in and the Americans already had the lead. 

However, giving up is not the English way as Hull and Reid fought back to even the match on hole four then took the lead with a birdie on hole five. The match was tight with the American pairing coming back to tie the match by hole seven only for Hull and Reid to regain the lead one hole later. 

Kerr and Thompson’s par at the 11th would be enough for the match to be all square once again. Then Hull and Reid decided that enough was enough, winning the next two holes to go 2UP.  

With two holes left to go, you would be forgiven for thinking that Europe had this one in the bag, but clearly no one told that to Kerr and Thompson who birdied the 17th to take the match to the final hole. The combination of Thompson’s driving and Kerr’s putting proved to be a wise choice for Juli Inkster as the match came down to a 12–foot putt. Kerr showed she was up to the challenge sinking the putt and halving the match. 

The match was a rollercoaster and exactly what the joy of international match play is all about. Whilst Europe might see it as a missed opportunity the American team will clearly see this as a valuable half point. 

The second match might not have had the same fireworks that the first had but it showed just how closely matched the two teams were.

Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas were in control for the vast majority of their match against Caroline Masson and Carlota Ciganda. By the 14th, the European pairing had managed to get the match back to all square before losing the next two holes. With two holes to go, The European pairing had managed to fight their way into the final hole by winning the 17th. Could Masson and Ciganda do what Kerr and Thompson and halve the match?

Danielle Kang would provide the answer as it was up to her to convert the par putt to win the match. Would he Rookie nerves kick in at this moment? Not a chance, instead she was as claim as a cucumber. 

Match three never even got to the final hole as Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall dominated their match against Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst. Taking the lead at the second hole, Hall and Nordqvist never looked and won their match 3&1 with ease. 

With the scores now all tied, the match of Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher against Gerina Piller and Stacy Lewis was now more important than ever.

Coming in as a late replacement for Suzann Pettersen, Matthew appeared ready for action. Yet it was the American pairing that dominated for much of the match. It was on the back nine that the Europeans finally got into the groove overturning a two deficit to lead by one going into the final hole. Piller had the chance to halve the match but her putt didn’t drop meaning that it was Europe that won the match and session. 

Europe 2.5 USA 1.5. What a session for the Europeans!

Related:

The Melissa Reid story