Solheim Cup Review: How They Rated
EUROPE
CARLOTA CIGANDA (W3-H0-L0)
She owes Pettersen a drink after getting her through the first day when she only contributed twice but, by the finish, was flying. Took down Pressel in some style and finished with five straight birdies.
CHARLEY HULL (2-0-1)
Six birdies on Saturday and six more in just 14 holes to crush Creamer in the singles. Supposedly she doesn’t get nervous and, given the evidence, you would have to believe her. Incredible debut.
CAROLINE MASSON (2-1-1)
Expect to see her back with Hedwall in the foursomes in Germany after their two wins. Her approach to the 18th (and half with Matthew) on Saturday was crucial in keeping Europe in the lead.
ANNA NORDQVIST (2-1-1)
Will always be remembered as the first player to hole in one in the competition and likely the last player to close out the match in such a style. Led Europe off three times, all with perfect tee shots.
JODI EWART-SHADOFF (2-0-1)
Like Ciganda started in understandably nervy fashion but her win with Hull against Creamer and Thompson began the fourball whitewash. Added a singles win and a genuine star of the future.
KARINE ICHER (2-1-1)
Her debut came in 2002, her second outing was worth the wait. Her putting stroke is a thing of beauty and never more so than when she holed from 45 feet to see off Kerr and Pressel on Staurday night.
AZAHARA MUNOZ (2-0-2)
Just her second Solheim but already part of the furniture. Eyebrows were raised when she was paired with Icher in the opening foursomes, by lunch they had beaten the potent Kerr and Creamer.
SUZANN PETTERSEN (2-1-1)
For all the talk of others ‘Tutta’ remains the star of the Euro show. Dragged Ciganda over the line on day one and would likely have won her singles if her match was still important. Now has 17 Solheim points.
CAROLINE HEDWALL (5-0-0)
What can you say about the only player ever to win five matches? She loves a battle, four of her wins came at the 17th or 18th, and she now has 7.5 points from just nine outings. Quite brilliant.
CATRIONA MATTHEW (0-2-2)
Unthinkable that Beany would add one point to a total of 18. Shouldn’t be underestimated how she always willingly pairs up with rookies and fitting that she was the player to hole THAT winning putt.
BEATRIZ RECARI (3-0-1)
Seemed to roll in more putts than anyone and seemed made for the cup with her rock-solid efforts. Her singles with Stanford might not have mattered too much but you wouldn’t have known it.
GIULIA SERGAS (0-1-1)
There wasn’t a more popular half point than the Italian’s after having to sit out Saturday. Came out fighting in the singles and her closing birdie against Korda meant all 12 players had contributed.
USA
PAULA CREAMER (W1-H0-L3)
The golden girl of the Solheim Cup was repeatedly upstaged and signed off with a second straight singles thrashing, this time against Hull. Holed putts but not when it mattered most.
GERINA PILLER (0-1-2)
Not helped by being partnered by Stanford where she was the better player. She then led for 14 holes and was never behind against Matthew and will, in time, look back on her half as something to be proud of.
CRISTIE KERR (1-1-2)
Seemed a waste to have her at No 12 in the singles but that maybe said more about her form (and disposition). Lost on the first morning which set the tone for another forgettable experience.
MORGAN PRESSEL (1-0-3)
Her record was 7-2-2 coming in, she departed with one win from four. It began well with Korda but then went into reverse and finished looking down the barrel of Ciganda’s gun where her steady pars were brushed aside.
JESSICA KORDA (1-1-2)
Not many players can claim to have been sick on the 1st hole of their debut and then go on to win. Two 17th hole defeats on Saturday and then undone by Sergas’ late birdie but plenty of positives.
LIZETTE SALAS (0-2-1)
Sent out in the opening match and did little wrong beside a struggling Lewis. Matthew ’s closing birdie prevented a first win on Saturday and kept Pettersen at bay, holing putt after putt from inside 10 feet.
BRITTANY LANG (3-0-1)
Only just sneaked into the team but was America’s star player and disappointed to not play in all five sessions. Very nearly holed in one, hit a variety of approaches close and gave little away.
STACY LEWIS (1-1-2)
A lot was expected of the game’s most recent Major champion and she lost her first two games. To her credit she rallied alongside Creamer and then held Nordqvist to a half despite not being at her best.
BRITTANY LINCICOME (1-1-1)
Won comfortably with Lang in the first fourballs but then just featured in the following day’s foursomes? Could have opened with two wins but missed a shortish par putt at the penultimate hole.
ANGELA STANFORD (0-0-4)
Has now lost her last seven matches and bizarre that she played in four this time. Paired with fellow Texan Piller who she once mentored, this week she was unable to provide much help.
LEXI THOMPSON (1-0-2)
The new Bubba, teeing off in among all the noise. Paired with Lewis and Thompson she was the stronger force in both defeats and got her reward with her singles point – only one of two Sunday Ws.
MICHELLE WIE (2-0-2)
Some questioned her inclusion, only Lang scored more. Two opening wins before two losses to Hedwall. Still doubts over her new and unique putting style.
Read Mark Townsend’s article on the reasons for Europe’s spectacular win HERE
Or check our Mickey Walker’s take on the whole event HERE
