USA stage dramatic fightback to retain Cup

JUNIOR SOLHEIM CUP:IRISH TEENAGER Leona Maguire's third consecutive victory, this time in yesterday's singles, could not prevent the reigning champions USA from retaining the Junior Solheim Cup in dramatic circumstances at Knightsbrook Hotel Spa and Golf Resort in Co Meath.

The Americans overturned a 7-5 deficit at the start of yesterday’s singles, to eke out a 12-12 tie and retain the trophy. The result means the Americans now lead the Europeans by 3½ matches to 2½ in a series which was inaugurated at Oak Ridge CC, Minnesota, back in 2002.

The impressive American fightback – they prevailed in yesterday’s singles by a 7-5 margin – also brought to an end the sequence which until now had seen the home side win the match each time it was played. The 16-year-old Maguire twins, Leona and Lisa, enjoyed contrasting fortunes on the final day. Leona enjoyed a commanding 5 and 4 victory over Mariah Stackhouse, while Lisa lost 3 and 2 to Alison Lee.

Five of the day’s 12 singles matches went to the 18th hole and the USA won three and halved two of them in a contest that wasn’t decided until the final putt dropped when Lindsay Weaver sealed America’s all important 12th point with a 2 and 1 victory over England’s Charley Hull on the 17th green.

Having already won Tuesday’s foursomes and fourballs in partnership with sister Lisa and Lauren Taylor respectively, Leona guaranteed a 100 per cent record from the contest in turning four up and closing out the match on 14th green.

America’s Jaye Marie Green produced the first point of the day when she defeated Sweden’s Emma Nilsson in the opening match but that was quickly countered by Leona’s win. At that stage, there was little to separate the two sides.

The weather took a turn for the worse around midday and, as heavy rain started to fall, the visiting Americans began to take a grip on proceedings. Lisa lost to Lee and, while Antonia Scherer brought some respite to the home side with a 4 and 2 win over McKenzie Talbert, the American’s strength down the stretch began to tell. One of the most valuable contributions came from Ashlan Ramsey who came to the 153-yard par-three final hole one down to French girl Manon Gidali, but then hit her tee shot to 12 inches and holed the putt for a winning birdie two. Her half point seemed to spur the visitors into redoubling their efforts.

American captain Meg Mallon, a veteran of seven Solheim Cup matches and the winner of four Major titles, including two US Women’s Opens, said: “ It’s been an unbelievable week and something I will never forget.”