Gemma Dryburgh and Madelene Sagstrom of Team Europe fist bump on the 13th hole during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
After getting swept in the morning session, the Europeans needed a strong performance in the afternoon and that’s exactly what Suzann Pettersen’s side was able to do down the stretch, winning 3-1 to climb right back into contention.
Team USA’s Megan Khang and Rose Zhang each had birdie putts to win their match and put the first point on the board in the afternoon but both missed, tying the match with Europe’s Gemma Dryburgh and Madelene Sagstrom. The U.S. led for nine holes in this match, and the Europeans just one.
In the next match, Leona Maguire did what she does best and put a point on the board for Team Europe with a chip-in for birdie on the par-5 18th hole.
.@leona_maguire wins @SolheimCupEuro first point in style 🤩#TeamEurope | #SolheimCup pic.twitter.com/RQ3WOAzbRs
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 22, 2023
Lexi Thompson had a chance to get up-and-down for birdie to tie from off the green, but with the ball below her feet, she shanked her chip. Lilia Vu then had a shot to make a lengthy birdie putt but missed, which officially earned Europe it’s first full point of the event.
Minutes later Europe’s Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant put Angel Yin and Ally Ewing away, 4 and 2, in a match that the Europeans never trailed. In fact, they were only ever tied on the first tee.
Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Allisen Corpuz were in control of their match against Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark for the majority of the day but were unable to score late and earn a point. Each group only won three holes, with the Americans making three birdies and the Europeans winning with par, birdie and a hole-in-one (more on that to come).
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