The European team has won the Solheim Cup for the sixth time, in a sixteenth edition at Gleneagles (Scotland) with a heart-stopping finish. The score, 14.5-13.5, reflects without a doubt the equality that took place on the final day, which started with a tie at eight points that already foreshadowed great emotions. The two Spanish representatives in the event – Carlota Ciganda from Navarre and Azahara Muñoz from Malaga – have added, alone or in company, four and a half points.
Sunday’s day was exciting, reaching its climax with Suzann Pettersen’s two-meter putt to beat Marina Alex on the 18th hole and confirm a European victory that was on the wire all day long.
Catriona Matthew did not hesitate to place Carlota Ciganda in the first of the matches. The claw that transmits the Navarre is by itself one more player, so the Scot saw it. And the Spaniard did not fail. In a tachycardic duel, a premonition of what was to come, Carlota won on the last hole to Danielle Kang, who until the 15th had the initiative.
Each point was fought to exhaustion. So did Azahara Muñoz, who saw how Angel Yin was 4 up on 9 before and reacted bravely winning the 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th holes. It was a swim to die on the shore, because the American finished the match on the 17th.
Subsequently, Georgia Hall (2/1), Celine Boutier (2/1) and, in the last three duels, Bronte Law (2/1), Anna Nordqvist (4/3) and the aforementioned Suzzan Pettersen. Her success in that last putt led to the ecstasy of the European team, which already has six victories to the ten of its rival.
The Solheim Cup started from zero after the first two days of play, the foursomes and fourballs. At the end of both rounds, the scoreboard showed a tie at eight points, which pushed both teams back to the starting line. On Saturday, the U.S. team balanced the scales with its slight superiority in the afternoon session at Gleneagles.
Equality was the dominant tone since the morning. Azahara Muñoz and Charley Hull were once again a lethal pair, closing the pace without looking at Megan Khang and Danielle Kang (4/3). Carlota Ciganda and Bronte Law, who could not find a way to tackle the Korda sisters, Jessica and Nelly (6/5). The session ended with a split of points.
The afternoon was a crucial stage in the evolution of the competition; it seemed essential to face the decisive singles on Sunday with an advantage. So Catriona Matthew decided to pair Azahara and Carlota, possibly -with the permission, of course, of the Korda sisters- the players who know each other best at Gleneagles.
The fact is that the two Spaniards could not overcome Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas (2/1) in a match that was always on the side of the Americans. The afternoon ended with a 2.5-1.5 that left the tournament in a draw.
On Friday, four foursomes were played in the morning and four fourballs in the afternoon. The first ones left a provisional score of 2.5-1.5 in favor of Europe. Carlota Ciganda, accompanied by Bronte Law, tied with Morgan Pressel and Marina Alex, while Azahara Muñoz, with Charley Hull by her side, beat Megan Khang and Annie Park (2/1). The Americans paid for being rookies against a young but experienced pair.
In the afternoon Catriona Matthew did not dare to join the two Spaniards, despite the chemistry they have from their time in the National Teams. Both duos repeated and the result was a draw in both duels. The Korda sisters, who have made history by being the first to compete in a Solheim, could not defeat Carlota, Azahara and their respective teammates.
The afternoon ended with a 2-2 draw.
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