Single-minded approach pays for USA

SOLHEIM CUP: SO MUCH for the coronation. Yes, the Americans retained the Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms, winning 16-12, but this was not the cake walk the scoreline suggests.

Having held their own over the first two days, Europe’s inability to master the singles format would once again prove their downfall. It was a bitter pill for Alison Nicholas to swallow.

It had all seemed so much sweeter for the European captain following a marathon Saturday.

By the time the final putt had dropped in near darkness – pace of play was again an issue, with two of the morning fourballs taking over six hours – the underdogs were back snapping at the heels of the home side, levelling the match at eight points apiece.

For all their heroics on Saturday, the odds remained stacked against Nicholas. No European team had ever claimed this title on this side of the Atlantic and the Americans, as is the case in the Ryder Cup, have dominated the singles.

In the 19-year history of this event, the Europeans have won the singles contest just three times. On the two previous occasions the match went into the final day all-square, in 2004 and 1994, the Americans prevailed.

It would follow that pattern again.

Needing to get points on the board early, both captains top-loaded the order with Suzann Petterson and Paula Creamer arriving to a first tee bristling with tension.

As had been the case all week, there was a carnival atmosphere around the tee box with players from both sides mingling freely with the fans and Christina Kim, the self appointed court jester of women’s golf, playing to the gallery.

The Europeans were a touch more creative with their ditties, injecting a little humour and adapting old Abba songs, while they home fans relied on the tried and tested – and increasingly grating – “U-S-A, U-S-A” refrain.

Petterson, Europe’s highest ranked player, struck the first blow in anger, striping a perfect drive down the middle before taking an immediate lead. But the Norwegian was soon in trouble and would never lead again en route to a 3 2 reverse.

It left her with a won one, lost four record and one has to question the prudence of playing the out-of-sorts world number six in all five matches.

The second and third matches also went the way of the US, with Angela Stanford and Michelle Wie painting the leaderboard red as Beth Daniel’s side turned the screw. Wie is clearly a fast learner, the once shy, introverted figure now whipping up the crowds with the best of them. She would finish the week unbeaten as her battle with Helen Alfredsson, who at 44 is old enough to be Wie’s mother, was settled on the 18th green.

Much of the ill feeling that has bubbled under the surface at these matches failed to materialise with the only real friction evident between Laura Davies and her captain.

Davies, a Solheim Cup mainstay since its inception in 1990, has played the game with gay abandon over the years, living and dying by the sword. A brisk player, her mantra had been “stand up, hit it and go find it”.

Unfortunately, on Friday she hadn’t been able to find it and Nicholas took the unprecedented decision not only to rest her on Friday afternoon, but also for the entirety of Saturday.

Davies, so often the heartbeat of European teams, spent much of the day moping about and making it clear that she wasn’t happy to be relegated to the role of glorified cheerleader.

Her demeanour had barely improved by the time she teed it up against Brittany Lang yesterday and the solemn expression remained even as she took a commanding lead. Perhaps she knew something we didn’t as back-to-back bogies on 17 and 18 handed Lang a crucial half point.

The Europeans weren’t doing enough further down the order either, Catriona Matthew and Diana Luna securing the only wins of the day.

And with three matches still out on the course, Morgan Pressell struck the killer blow, bumping and grinding her way to a 3 2 win over Anna Nordqvist.

Regardless of the result, this contest will breathe new life a tournament that many viewed merely as a biennial procession for the United States.

With Europe proving they can do more than simply make up the numbers, it bodes well for the next instalment at Killeen Castle in Co Meath.

All that remained was the pageantry of the closing ceremony where, with one eye on Killeen, Lisa and Leona Maguire hoisted the Irish flag.

As an emotional Nicholas would later reflect, there’s always next time.

SATURDAY FOURBALLS: Helen Alfredsson Tania Elosegui lost to Christina Kim Michelle Wie 5 4, Catriona Matthew Diana Luna halved with Angela Stanford Brittany Lang, Suzann Pettersen Anna Nordqvist beat Nicole Castrale Cristie Kerr 2 up, Gwladys Nocera Maria Hjorth beat Kristy McPherson Brittany Lincicome 1 up.

SATURDAY FOURSOMES: Janice Moodie Sophie Gustafson beat Paula Creamer Juli Inkster 4 3, Helen Alfredsson Suzann Pettersen lost to Kristy McPherson Morgan Pressel 2 up, Becky Brewerton Gwladys Nocera beat Natalie Gulbis Christina Kim 5 4, Anna Nordqvist Maria Hjorth lost to Cristie Kerr Michelle Wie 1 up.