Europe retained the Solheim Cup after staging a remarkable late fightback to tie 14-14 with Team USA at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Andalucia, Spain.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda defeated Nelly Korda in the penultimate singles match to reach the 14-point threshold the hosts needed to retain the cup, though an outright win was denied when Lexi Thompson beat Emily Pedersen in the closing matchup.
It marked the first ever tie in the 18-year history of the biennial event and the first time that Europe had come from behind on day one to win the match.
The teams entered the final day’s 12 singles tied at 8-8, after USA had led 5-3 on day one, having won the opening foursomes matches 4-0.
European captain Suzann Pettersen said: “I think it’s meant to be. It came down to Carlota [Ciganda], in Spain, in her own hands. We have the best team. I’m so proud of them, they play with their heart. There is no such thing as giving up, no matter what challenge is ahead. We got off to a rough start, but we don’t look back – the sky’s the limit.”
Ciganda, who was congratulated personally by King Felipe VI after winning all four of her matches, was full of praise for her captain.
“I have many feelings right now, I’m so happy just to do this for Suzann, for Spain,” Ciganda said. When I saw Suzann on 16, she told me a couple of things, and I was like, ‘I’m just going to do this for her, because she deserves this.’”
Team USA, captained by Stacy Lewis, will only have to wait a year to try and wrestle the cup from Europe. The 2024 Solheim Cup sees a return to even-numbered years at Robert Trent Golf Club in Virginia, a scheduling change made to avoid clashes with the Ryder Cup, which tees off in Rome on Friday.
