Solheim Cup: Nordqvist ace bolsters European effort
USA 5 1/2 EUROPE 6 1/2
Match 1
Pressel & Korda v Nordqvist & Hedwall
Europe won 2&1
Anna Nordqvist recorded the first hole-in-one in Solheim Cup history as Caroline Hedwall made it three wins out of three.
Pressel had not been beaten in her last nine matches, and had won her last six, but she and Korda trailed for much of the front nine.
But they were ahead after a birdie at the 11th and Hedwall had to hole a crucial 10-footer two holes later to stay one down. Birdies at 14 and 16 restored the lead and then Nordqvist fired a 7-iron straight at the pin and, after a couple of bounces, it disappeared from sight.
Hedwall now has five and a half points from a possible seven in her Solheim Cup career.
Match 2
Lewis & Creamer v Munoz & Icher
USA won one hole
Stacy Lewis’ Solheim Cup record received a welcome boost after a rollercoaster morning.
There were no halves in nine holes from the 7th as America swept into a four-hole lead thanks to some superb putting from Creamer.
However Munoz and Icher, who got the better of Creamer (and Kerr) on Friday morning, birdied 12, 13 and 14 to very quickly restore parity.
Creamer holed another beauty on the 15th, Munoz and Lewis knocked in testing putts for four at the next par 5, before Europe made a terrible (and out of character) mess of the 18th.
First Icher drove into sand, Munoz found another fairway bunker and the Frenchwoman’s escape failed to clear a nearby shrub.
Lewis pulled her approach but, after Europe had played six shots, they shook hands.
Hedwall now has five and a half points from a possible seven in her Solheim Cup career Match 3
Lincicome & Salas v Matthew & Masson
Match halved
A superb approach to the 18th from Caroline Masson gave Europe a closing birdie and a vital half point.
The Americans had two putts from distance at the previous hole but Lincicome missed the par putt and then Matthew knocked in a six-footer to get her name on the scoreboard.
The home side were ahead after a two at the 2nd and were never level until the last shot of the morning.
In between the Scot saw a series of makeable putts slide by and when Lincicome made a birdie at the 16th it appeared all over. Thankfully it wasn’t and just a second European birdie of the morning was perfectly timed.
Match 4
Wie & Lang v Pettersen & Recari
USA won 2&1
Michelle Wie has now won all three of her foursomes outings and has already justified Captain Mallon’s pick.
Despite a wayward opening salvo Wie was very solid and her partner, Lang, outstanding.
Pettersen and Recari led over the front nine, the Spaniard holing out brilliantly, but when Pettersen missed from four feet at 11 Europe were not up in any match.
Lang’s adjacent bunker shot at 12 put them ahead for the first time and a birdie at 16 and European bogey at the next meant it was all over.
Wie’s record on home soil now reads five and a half points from six matches.
