American veteran Inkster calls time on Solheim Cup career

Sugar Grove: Veteran Juli Inkster made her Solheim Cup farewell on a triumphant note on Sunday as the United States won the trophy for the eighth time in 11 editions.

The 49-year-old is the oldest player to appear in the biennial team competition and she signed off by halving her last-day singles match with Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera. "It was a great way to go out," Inkster told reporters after clawing her way back from two down with three consecutive birdies from the par-four 14th. "I played really well so I`m very excited. I was down all day until 17 but match play is just an incredible thing. It`s just one shot here, one putt there.” "I just got on a little roll there," added Inkster, who was competing in her eighth Solheim Cup. "I just kept chattering to myself to say: `This is an important match, you`ve got to get at least a half a point here.” "If you can`t win two holes, then you don`t deserve to be out here. It was a great match." Inkster, who has piled up earnings of more than $12.6 million and 31 LPGA Tour titles since joining the circuit in 1983, insisted she would not compete in another Solheim Cup.Signing Off "I am signing off," the slim Californian said after the Americans beat Europe 16-12 in bright sunshine at Rich Harvest Farms. "Now I want to come out and watch. These girls are great. They`ve got a lot of young talent and it needs to be passed down right now.” "But I had a great time and I`m glad Beth and Meg thought enough of me to pick me. It`s been a great ride." Inkster was one of two wildcard picks on the US team after being selected by captain Beth Daniel and her assistant Meg Mallon. After extending her career points total to 18 in the Solheim Cup, the third-best of all time, Inkster said she was eager to become a captain in the future. "I would love to do it," she added. "I`d love to be able to pick out the uniforms and hair ribbons and stuff like that. That`s my forte." Bureau Report