Europe Wins Solheim Cup; First Since 2003
September 25, 2011 Leave a comment
Thanks mainly to a powerful finish on Sunday, the European team held off the American squad to capture the Solheim Cup – Europe’s first since 2003 – with a 15 – 13 final score at Killeen Castle.
Perhaps one of the best matches on Sunday involved Caroline Hedwall of the Netherlands and American Ryan O’Toole, where Hedwell came back from 2-down with two holes to play (and O’Toole recording bogies on 17 and 18). When asked for comment, American captain Rosie Jones refused to place any blame on the rookie O’Toole for the loss.
“You know what, she played awesome,” Jones said. “She’s undefeated in her first Solheim Cup. That is just unbelievable … She feels bad because she was 2 up coming in.
“But I tell you what, she got three points this week, and I don’t know if anybody else did that. So that’s pretty awesome.”
Waggle Room’s own Emily Kay suggested that O’Toole’s play for the Americans very well could have been the most valuable on her team.
For many of the Europeans, this Solheim Cup is already being viewed as a career highlight, and appropriately so. According to European captain Alison Nicholas, commenting on her team:
“They were so up for it and they believed in themselves,” she said. “They just fought to the end. The rookies have done fantastic. The experienced players have done really well as well. It’s just been a real team effort.”
During a week when multiple LPGA stars tore up an oft-difficult Carnoustie golf course in Scotland, defending Women’s British Open Champion Yani Tseng came out on top once again.
The LPGA’s Ai Miyazato clinched her first title of the 2011 season at the Evian Masters on Sunday and pledged to share her prize winnings with the people still suffering in the aftermath of the disasters back home in Japan. 
The US Women’s Open kicks off this week (July 7 – 10) at The Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs, CO where defending champion Paula Creamer will do her best to fight off the rest of the field at the LPGA’s longest-running tournament. In 2010 Creamer defeated Na Yeon Choi and Suzann Pettersen by four strokes and ultimately posting a 3-under 284.
