When the Saturday fourballs of the 2015 Solheim Cup eventually finished on the Sunday morning in Germany the scoreline read 10-6 to Europe but that only told us part of the story. American rookie Alison Lee, playing with Brittany Lincicome, missed a putt to win the hole at the 17th but then picked up her ball, which was less than two feet past the hole, without the putt having been conceded.
Charley Hull was already heading to the 18th tee but Suzann Pettersen pointed out that the putt hadn’t been given and the hole was awarded to Europe. They then won the closing hole and the Americans, led by Juli Inkster, had all the incentive that they needed and they would win eight and a half points in the singles for a one-point victory.
Lee would quickly become tearful before going on to win her singles match while Hull, who was also in tears by the 18th green in the morning, and Pettersen would both lose theirs.
At the time it was put to Pettersen that she might concede the 18th so the match would be halved but she was adamant in her thinking. Come the Monday morning the Norwegian, who will lead Europe this year in Spain, had had a change of heart.
“I’ve never felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down. I am so sorry for not thinking about the bigger picture in the heat of the battle and competition. I was trying my hardest for my team and put the single match and the point that could be earned ahead of sportsmanship and the game of golf itself. I feel like I let my team down and I am sorry,” she said on her Instagram.
“To the US team, you guys have a great leader in Juli, who I’ve always looked up to and respect so much. Knowing I need to make things right, I had a face-to-face chat with her before leaving Germany this morning to tell her in person how I really feel about all of this. I wanted her also to know that I am sorry.
“I hope in time the USA team will forgive me and know that I have learned a valuable lesson about what is truly important in this great game of golf, which has given me so much in my life. I wish I could change Sunday for many reasons. Unfortunately I can’t. I want to work hard to earn back your belief in me as someone…
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