The strains of ‘U-S-A, U-S-A’ rang out across Rich Harvest Farms yesterday after the home side staked an early claim on the latest edition of the Solheim Cup. But at day’s end hope still burned amongst the European team that an upset could be forged over the weekend.
The USA still held their one-point lead from the morning fourballs by the end of the afternoon foursomes, but European skipper Alison Nicholas will be buoyed by the all-sqaure showing in the second part of the opening day that left it 4.5 to 3.5 in favour of the hosts.
Wales’ Becky Brewerton and Frenchwoman Gladys Nocera beat Angela Stanford and Nicole Castrale and Anna Nordqvist joined Maria Hjorth to see off Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome 3 & 2 to keep the visitors in the hunt of a first ever win on US soil.
Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson lost their foursomes encounter against Christina Kim and Natalie Gulbis 4 & 2, while Paula Creamer and 49-year-old wild card Juli Inkster closed out a 2 & 1 win over Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie in the last match out.
If Nicholas was the relieved captain in the afternoon, then opposite number Beth Daniel was entitled to feel the more satisfied of the two captains earlier in the day after the fourball matches had threatened to get away from her team.
In the build up to this contest, few if any pundits gave the Europeans any realistic chance of regaining the Solheim trophy. A bullish American media predicted the US would wipe the floor with their unheralded opponents; the local fans spoke excitedly of a turkey shoot.
Making such bold predictions is a risky business, they have a tendency of coming back to haunt you. And for a time it appeared there would be a considerable amount of humble pie being passed around.
The LPGA proudly proclaim that ‘These Girls Rock”. But for much of the morning their girls were rocking.
The legions of home fans, already in foul humour after enduring lengthy tailbacks as some 30,000 made their way to this quiet corner of Illinois, had little to cheer about.
Under slate grey skies, the visitors appeared determined to shake off the plucky underdogs tag and avoid another lopsided defeat. Blue was the colour splashed across the leaderboard and as the four matches approached the stretch Europe were up in three.
But the Solheim Cup is all about momentum, and in the space of a few short minutes the tide turned against the Europeans.
When Creamer, who had struggled with Cristie Kerr to hang on to the coattails of Petterson and Gustaffson, drained a monster putt to level the match the Americans swiftly birdied the next to seize control.
At the other end of the order, Michelle Wie and Morgan Pressell came from two behind to lead by one in just three holes as the Americans, sensing blood in the water, grabbed the contest by the scruff of the neck.
This was billed as the event where Wie would come of age and the 19-year-old, the youngest player in the field, did her utmost to live up to that expectation.
Having been in the limelight for so long, it is easy to forget Wie is still a teenager. A big hitter and even bigger draw, she has yet to claim a professional title but is a supremely gifted player capable of making things happen.
Much had been made of Daniel’s decision to pair her with Pressell, rumours of bad blood between the pair in the past leading to raised eyebrows.
But, having had to deal with less than flattering and barbed comments from her contemporaries over the years, the Hawaiian prodigy now appears to have gained acceptance.
It was interesting to note how warmly Wie was received at the gala dinner on Wednesday evening, not just by the guests but by the other members of her team.
Whereas she had previously been seen as aloof and something of a loner, Wie was now trading high fives, swapping jokes and looked completely at ease in her surroundings.
And she carried that ease with her onto the course yesterday. Striding purposefully to the first tee, Wie didn’t seem to have a care in the world and she played with a joyous freedom.
Wie’s performance was by no means flawless and a wild drive at the last would hand the European’s a precious half point. Nevertheless, as debuts go, this was one to savour.
“You know, that was the most fun I’ve ever had playing golf,” Wie enthused afterwards. “It was just unbelievable. The crowds, the cheers, the pressure, everything about it was nothing like I’ve ever experienced before.
“I was so, so pumped up. I’m still shaking now it was so much fun.”
Wie was unexpectedly rested for the afternoon foursomes and while she desperately wanted to play, the older and wiser player was not about to make any waves.
“That’s up to Beth (Daniel),” she added. “I’m just gonna go out there and root for the team.”
Perhaps the most surprising result from the opening morning was how easily the vastly experienced pairing of Brewerton and Laura Davies were dispatched by the two Brittanys, Lang and Lincicome.
Davies, making a record 11th Solheim Cup appearance, gave the sort of nervy display one would expect from a rookie and made just one birdie en route to a 5 & 4 reverse.
Europe’s solitary full point was gleaned from Helen Alfredsson and Spanish rookie Tania Elosegui, the pair seeing off the challenge of Stanford and Inkster.
Fourballs results (USA first)
Paula Creamer & Cristie Kerr beat Suzann Pettersen & Sophie Gustafson 1 hole
Angela Stanford & Juli Inkster lost to Tania Elosegui & Helen Alfredsson 1 hole
Brittany Lang & Brittany Lincicome beat Laura Davies & Becky Brewerton 5 & 4
Morgan Pressel & Michelle Wie vs Catriona Matthew & Maria Hjorth
Foursomes (USA first)
Christina Kim & Natalie Gulbis beat Sophie Gustafson & Suzann Pettersen 4 & 2
Angela Stanford & Nicole Castrale lost to v Becky Brewerton & Gwladys Nocera 3 & 1
Kristy McPherson & Brittany Lincicome lost to Maria Hjorth & Anna Nordqvist 3 & 2
Paula Creamer & Juli Inkster beat Catriona Matthew & Janice Moodie 2 & 1
Overall standing:USA 4.5, Europe 3.5
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