Team USA Clinches Solheim Cup for First Time Since 2017 with Win Over Europe
At Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, on Sunday, the United States defeated Europe by a score of 15½ to 12½, reclaiming the Solheim Cup. This was their first victory since 2017.
Lilia Vu came back from two behind with two holes remaining to clinch the game-winning point for Team USA. On the par-4 18th hole, she made a fantastic approach shot that got her within inches of the pin, and she sank the birdie putt to seal the victory. The path for Vu’s heroics was cleared when Europe’s Albane Valenzuela missed a 30-foot birdie putt that could have tied the game.
Over the course of the weekend, Team USA dominated, jumping out to a record-breaking 6-2 lead after the first day. Nelly Korda, ranked #1 in the world, was crucial because she won both of her matches and demonstrated American superiority.
On day two, despite Europe’s best efforts to catch up, Team USA had a 10-6 lead. Europe required a rally similar to the Miracle at Medinah in the 2012 Ryder Cup, when they recovered a four-point deficit to win 14.5 to 13.5.
It was insufficient, despite Britain’s Charley Hull’s outstanding effort in defeating Korda and initiating a European comeback. On Sunday, Megan Khang, Rose Zhang, and Allisen Corpuz of Team USA won their respective singles matches. Vu, Andrea Lee, and Lauren Coughlin also contributed significant half-points to the team’s triumph.
