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Europe keeps flag flying high on final day of Solheim Cup
Malmo, Sept 14: Europe lead by three points going into the final day singles in the Solheim Cup.
Malmo, Sept 14: Europe lead by three points going into the final day singles in the Solheim Cup.
Europe's women golfers tightened their grip on the eighth Solheim Cup after dominating the morning foursomes on Saturday (September 13), moving clear by 7-1/2 points to 4-1/2 over holders the United States.
The home team, who had led by 4-1/2 points to 3-1/2 overnight, did not lose a tie in taking the series 3-1 at Barseback Golf and Country Club.
Norway's Suzann Pettersen, unbeaten this week, and Swede Sophie Gustafson maintained their impressive form, beating Kelli Kuehne and Cristie Kerr 3 & 1 in the first match out.
In the third match, world number one Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch bounced back from a rare defeat in Friday's afternoon fourballs to triumph 3 & 2 over Wendy Ward and U.S. rookie Heather Bowie.
But the most rousing effort by the Europeans came from Denmark's Iben Tinning and German rookie Elisabeth Esterl, who came back from one down with two holes to play to claim a half point from Michele Redman and Solheim newcomer Angela Stanford.
Esterl, the first German to play in the biennial competition, nearly holed her second shot at the par-four 17th for a winning birdie before Tinning holed from six feet at the last to secure the half.
In the final tie, Britons Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie fought out a close tussle with Kelly Robbins and Meg Mallon that ended with honours even.
Neither side ever led by more than one and Robbins and Mallon drew level with a par at the short 15th before the final three holes were shared.
"The crowd were unbelievable this morning," said an upbeat Sorenstam, who did not show her best form from tee to green but holed a string of key putts.
"Carin and I did our best to cheer them up. It's great to see so much blue on the board. There is still a long way to go, but I'll certainly be giving it my all.
"Yes, it's a lot of golf," added Sorenstam. "But I won't be thinking about how I am feeling, I'll just be giving it all for the team."
The Solheim Cup, the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, is a trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.-born players from the LPGA Tour and the best European-born players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The U.S. team, which has never lost on home soil, staged a dramatic comeback to win last year's trophy at Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota.
The afternoon fourballs were shared - results below, script to follow. Solheim Cup second day foursomes results (European names first): Sophie Gustafson (Sweden)/Suzann Pettersen (Norway) beat Kelli Kuehne/Cristie Kerr 3 & 1 Elisabeth Esterl (Germany)/Iben Tinning (Denmark) halved with Angela Stanford/Michele Redman Annika Sorenstam/Carin Koch (Sweden) beat Wendy Ward/Heather Bowie 3 & 2 Janice Moodie/Catriona Matthew (Britain) halved with Meg Mallon/Kelly Robbins Score: Europe 3 U.S. 1 Overall score: Europe 7.5-4.5
Fourballs results (European names first) Ana Belen Sanchez (Spain)/Mhairi McKay (Britain) lost to Beth Daniel/Juli Inkster 5 & 4 Sophie Gustafson (Sweden)/Laura Davies (Britain) lost to Cristie Kerr/Kelli Kuehne 2 & 1 Catriona Matthew/Janice Moodie (Britain) beat Wendy Ward/Rosie Jones 4 & 3 Annika Sorenstam (Sweden)/Suzann Pettersen (Norway) beat Kelly Robbins/Laura Diaz 1 up Score: Europe 2 U.S. 2 Overall score: Europe 9.5-6.5
Bureau Report
But the most rousing effort by the Europeans came from Denmark's Iben Tinning and German rookie Elisabeth Esterl, who came back from one down with two holes to play to claim a half point from Michele Redman and Solheim newcomer Angela Stanford.
Esterl, the first German to play in the biennial competition, nearly holed her second shot at the par-four 17th for a winning birdie before Tinning holed from six feet at the last to secure the half.
In the final tie, Britons Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie fought out a close tussle with Kelly Robbins and Meg Mallon that ended with honours even.
Neither side ever led by more than one and Robbins and Mallon drew level with a par at the short 15th before the final three holes were shared.
"The crowd were unbelievable this morning," said an upbeat Sorenstam, who did not show her best form from tee to green but holed a string of key putts.
"Carin and I did our best to cheer them up. It's great to see so much blue on the board. There is still a long way to go, but I'll certainly be giving it my all.
"Yes, it's a lot of golf," added Sorenstam. "But I won't be thinking about how I am feeling, I'll just be giving it all for the team."
The Solheim Cup, the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, is a trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.-born players from the LPGA Tour and the best European-born players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The U.S. team, which has never lost on home soil, staged a dramatic comeback to win last year's trophy at Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota.
The afternoon fourballs were shared - results below, script to follow. Solheim Cup second day foursomes results (European names first): Sophie Gustafson (Sweden)/Suzann Pettersen (Norway) beat Kelli Kuehne/Cristie Kerr 3 & 1 Elisabeth Esterl (Germany)/Iben Tinning (Denmark) halved with Angela Stanford/Michele Redman Annika Sorenstam/Carin Koch (Sweden) beat Wendy Ward/Heather Bowie 3 & 2 Janice Moodie/Catriona Matthew (Britain) halved with Meg Mallon/Kelly Robbins Score: Europe 3 U.S. 1 Overall score: Europe 7.5-4.5
Fourballs results (European names first) Ana Belen Sanchez (Spain)/Mhairi McKay (Britain) lost to Beth Daniel/Juli Inkster 5 & 4 Sophie Gustafson (Sweden)/Laura Davies (Britain) lost to Cristie Kerr/Kelli Kuehne 2 & 1 Catriona Matthew/Janice Moodie (Britain) beat Wendy Ward/Rosie Jones 4 & 3 Annika Sorenstam (Sweden)/Suzann Pettersen (Norway) beat Kelly Robbins/Laura Diaz 1 up Score: Europe 2 U.S. 2 Overall score: Europe 9.5-6.5
Bureau Report