CASARES, Spain — For the fifth time since 2002 the Solheim Cup was all square entering the final day of play, setting the stage for a grand finale on Spain’s southern coast.
After the Americans swept the first session, it’s been all Team Europe ever since as captain Suzann Pettersen’s side took eight of the next 12 points across the last three sessions to climb back into contention.
Just 12 singles matches remained in the 18th edition of the biennial bash between the Americans and Europeans, held this year at the luxurious Finca Cortesin. When past Solheim Cups had been tied entering Sunday, both the U.S. and Europe had each claimed the Cup twice.
The U.S. and Europe each won five matches and two were tied as the event ended in a 14-14 tie, meaning the Cup would be retained by Europe for another year. Here’s a breakdown of each of the 12 Sunday singles matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup.
Sunday singles results
Leona Maguire (Europe) def. Rose Zhang (U.S.), 4 and 3
There’s just something about Leona Maguire and match play. In her second appearance for Europe, Maguire did what she does best and put points on the board for her team. One of three players to play in all five matches for Pettersen’s side, Maguire put the first point on the board of the day from the second slot, taking down Rose Zhang, 4 and 3, to give Europe its first lead of the competition.
Zhang made birdie on the opening hole and Maguire followed suit on No. 2. From there the pair went back-and-forth until Maguire took firm hold of the match on the seventh hole with par and never looked back.
LEONA. MAGUIRE. 💥
An emphatic eagle to go 4UP against Rose Zhang
Watch now on @GolfChannel! pic.twitter.com/yOYZPn6XCo
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 24, 2023
Megan Khang (USA) def. Linn Grant (Europe), 1 up
First out on Sunday were Team USA’s Megan Khang and Europe’s Linn Grant in a battle of two of the best performers of the week. Their match didn’t disappoint despite Khang never losing. In fact, the match was only tied on the first tee.
Every time Khang took a 2-up advantage, the Swedish rookie – who may be a rock in the U.S. shoe for years to come – was there to respond and cut her deficit to 1 down. Grant made a late, clutch birdie on the 16th, but a pair of pars weren’t enough to square the match as Khang put the first point on the board for the U.S., 1 up, to square the overall match at 9-9.
Danielle Kang (USA) def. Charley Hull (Europe), 4 and 2
Within minutes the U.S. reclaimed their advantage thanks to Danielle Kang’s dominant performance over an injured Charley Hull. One to always bring the good vibes and impeccable game, Kang led for 14 of the 16 holes and rolled in six birdies on the shortened round en route to a 4-and-2 victory.
Anna Nordqvist (Europe) def. Jennifer Kupcho (USA), 2 and 1
Anna Nordqvist had a unique roll this week as a playing assistant captain but had gone 0-3-0 over the first two days of play. In her eighth appearance for the Euros, Nordqvist put a crucial point on the board with a 2-and-1 win over Jennifer Kupcho.
The match was tied for the first four holes before Nordqvist got hot with a birdie-birdie-eagle stretch on Nos. 5-7 to take a 3-up advantage. Kupcho stayed in the mix as best she could, winning consecutive holes on 13 and 14 to briefly bring the match to within one, but a Nordqvist birdie on the par-4 16th and a pair of pars on 17 re-squared the overall match at 10-10.
A point from the assistant captain! 🇪🇺
Anna Nordqvist wins 2&1 over Jennifer Kupcho!#SolheimCup2023 pic.twitter.com/v1GiJGJVWc
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 24, 2023
Andrea Lee (USA) tied Georgia Hall (Europe)
Both players entered their singles match with a 1-2-0 record on the week and with something to prove to their team. It was a close match, but not necessarily a good one as par was the theme of the 18 holes as just three birdies were made between the two.
Georgia Hall had a putt inside three feet to take a 1-up advantage to the 18th tee but inexplicably missed, opening the door for Lee to steal at least half a point. Both players had a look at birdie, but each missed and pars were conceded for the first tie of the day.
Angel Yin (USA) def. Celine Boutier (Europe), 2 and 1
Angel Yin showed up to Saturday night’s press conference wearing sunglasses like Deon Sanders and used his quote, “we keep receipts.” Prime would’ve been proud of Yin’s effort against Celine Boutier as each player fought tooth and nail in this match, which featured five lead changes over the 17 holes.
Yin drove the green and made eagle on the par-4 14th hole, but Boutier responded with a birdie to once again square the match late. The 24-year-old Yin then birdied her next two holes to close the door, 2 and 1.
Easy eagle for @angelyinlol to take the lead in her match 🦅 pic.twitter.com/kWJpw31JFx
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 24, 2023
Lilia Vu (USA) def. Madelene Sagstrom (Europe), 4 and 3
Not much to say about this one other than Lilia Vu proved why she’s the No. 2 player in the world. The American claimed the first four holes and then won the par-3 6th to take a 5-up lead over Madelene Sagstrom, who was previously unbeaten in Solheim Cup Sunday singles.
The Swede won a few holes of her own to cut the lead to 3 for Vu before par on No. 15 signed, sealed and delivered another U.S. point, 4 and 3.
Cheyenne Knight (USA) tied Gemma Dryburgh (Europe)
Cheyenne Knight and Gemma Dryburgh, who sat both sessions on Saturday, tied their first two holes before the Scot made three birdies over the next four holes to put her stamp on the match. Knight took a nibble out of the lead with a birdie on the par-5 8th and then squared the match with two to play thanks to consecutive pars on Nos. 15 and 16. Two more pars from each player meant a split point and the second tie of the day.
Caroline Hedwall (Europe) def. Ally Ewing (USA), 2 up
Ally Ewing was in the driver’s seat going 80 mph down the highway in this match for the first 12 holes with a 3-up lead thanks to some solid play on her part and some iffy shots from her counterpart, Caroline Hedwall, who sat the first three sessions of the competition. Then the veteran Swede birdied Nos. 13, 14, 16 and 17 to flip her match and breathe some life into Team Europe’s chances of retaining the cup.
Ewing’s approach to the par-5 18th found a bunker, and her out rolled off the green. When her pitch failed to drop, she conceded the hole and the match to Hedwall, who was on the green with an eagle putt.
WHAT A MOMENT! 💥
Caroline Hedwall drains a putt on the 17th to go 1UP in her match!
Watch now on @GolfChannel! pic.twitter.com/7YCNaMdsLM
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 24, 2023
Maja Stark (Europe) def. Allisen Corpuz (USA), 2 and 1
Maja Stark of Team Europe reacts after a birdie on the fourth hole during Day Three of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 24, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)Only two birdies were made in this one as the match remained tied through six holes before Maja Stark broke the skid on No. 7. She added to her lead with par on No. 13 before Allisen Corpuz won the 15th with par to cut the lead. Stark put the point on the board on No. 17 with a conceded par putt, 2 and 1, as the Europeans tied the match at 13-13.
Carlota Ciganda (Europe) def. Nelly Korda (USA), 2 up
Team Europe’s Carlota Ciganda takes her tee shot on the third day of the 2023 Solheim Cup biennial team golf competition at Finca Cortesin golf club in Casares, on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)The fan-favorite Spaniard Carlota Ciganda was 3-up through eight before Nelly Korda woke up and snagged consecutive wins at Nos. 9 and 10 and another at No. 15 to tie the match down the stretch.
Ciganda clutched up and won back-to-back holes on Nos. 16 and 17 after hitting an absolute dart to the par-3 penultimate hole to within tap-in range, leading to a 2-up win and a 14th point that would assure the Cup is staying in Europe.
The moment of a lifetime for Carlota Ciganda 🏆🇪🇸#SolheimCup2023 pic.twitter.com/w77BzvVqYu
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 24, 2023
Lexi Thompson (USA) def. Emily Pedersen (Europe), 2 and 1
Like a Linkin Park song, in the end it didn’t even matter as the Cup was already retained by Europe before this match finished.
U.S. captain Stacy Lewis put her most experienced player in the anchor spot while Suzann Pettersen went with her hot hand in Emily Pedersen, who took a 2-up lead through four holes. Thompson went birdie-birdie on Nos. 5 and 6 to tie the match, then won Nos. 8 and 9 with birdie and bogey and 12 and 13 to take a commanding 4-up lead late with five to play. After Pedersen made birdie on No. 16, Thompson missed a par putt on the 15th to open the door for the Dane, who lipped out a putt for birdie on the 17th to lose, 2 and 1.
