GAINESVILLE, Va. – It’s been nine years since the biggest comeback in Solheim Cup history took place at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany. Suzann Pettersen galvanized Team USA with one of the most controversial moves in Solheim history.
Trailing 10-6 going into singles, the U.S. won 8.5 points in singles play to defeat a stunned European team. The Americans won the final five matches to complete the upset, with Paula Creamer securing the winning point.
Now, Pettersen will try to lead her charge down a similar path. This time, however, it’s Europe that trails the Americans, 10-6, going into the final day at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
“I think the biggest thing is we know it can happen,” said U.S. captain Stacy Lewis. “That’s why I did the lineup the way I did. I want to go and try to close this thing out as quickly as possible.”
The 2015 incident occurred early Sunday morning on the 17th green when a then-rookie Alison Lee picked up an 18-inch putt for par that she thought Europe had conceded. As Charley Hull walked off the green, Pettersen told the group’s rules official that the putt hadn’t been given.
The miscommunication resulted in a loss of hole for Lee and partner Brittany Lincicome, who walked to the 18th tee in a state of shock.
All the main characters from that day are on the grounds in Virginia, with both Creamer and Lincicome serving as assistant captains and Lee making her first Solheim appearance since 2015.
“If there’s a hope, there’s always a chance,” said Pettersen, whose team needs to get to 14 points to retain the cup.
Of course, the “Miracle at Medinah” is also on Pettersen’s mind, when Europe came back from a 10-6 deficit at the 2012 Ryder Cup.
“I was on the opposite side in Germany,” said Pettersen, “and I know what it feels like. I know what it feels like going into Sunday.
“Everyone remembers Medinah. I mean, it’s a tough task. It’s a lot to ask. But the situation is 10-6. All you can do is just literally go out hard, play your heart out, and hopefully we get enough points that we can kind of keep this exciting and fun for the bottom half to show up and get their points, as well.”
Here are five things to note going into Sunday:
Solheim Cup: Scoreboard, teams | Photos | Sunday singles pairings
Alison Lee and Rose Zhang of Team United States react after winning their match on the 14th green during the Saturday Fourball matches against Team Europe during the…
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