Team USA Reclaims Solheim Cup

Having the delicious distinction of never losing the Solheim Cup on their own soil, Team USA did not disappoint today, claiming victory over the Europeans 15.5 to 12.5. This ninth rendition of the Solheim Cup had all the drama of a major PGA Tour event.

Starting the day even at eight points apiece following a tremendous comeback in the Saturday afternoon fourball matches, the United States team had the confidence necessary to take on their competitors in singles match-play action earlier this morning. Triple-threat rookies Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, and Christina Kim stole the show with American flags painted on their faces and ankles and confidence in their abilities. Walking the course pumping up the crowd, the girls’ themselves chanted “USA, USA” making it virtually impossible for the European team to stay focused on their shots and making the gallery into a cheering squad for the Americans.

In first round action Annika posted a host of birdies and it looked as if the Europeans were going to really put the pressure on the Americans to reclaim the Cup. Christina Kim felt the pressure and she put it in her own inimitable way. “A lot of veterans told me if you puke on the first hole, it wouldn’t be the first time, but as opposed to puking, I wanted to bawl my eyes out. I was terrified.”

The real turnover in Solheim Cup action began when the Americans staged their comeback on Saturday in fourball action. Winning the morning foursomes ended a twelve-match losing streak in this competition. Natalie Gulbis and Christina Kim started the rally with a 4 & 2 victory over Gwladys Nocera and Ludivine Kreutz. Paula Creamer was paired with veteran Juli Inkster and easily defeated the pairing of Davies and Hjorth. Even Annika’s team was beaten on Saturday giving the U.S. team solace in the knowledge that the top player in the world can also get trounced. This is only the second Solheim Cup where both teams were tied entering the singles matches.

Playing off of Saturday’s rally we saw a calm and collected Christina Kim (5 & 4) today who was totally in control of her match against Ludivine Kreutz and who had the crowd cheering after every putt she drained. Laughing with fist-pumping action Kim showed her ability to forget her earlier jitters. All she could think to herself was, “There is no tomorrow. This is it, you know, and I’m doing this not just for myself, not just for my team, but for the entire United States.” It’s amazing how well you can play when you put your mind to it Christina!

First on the tee for the Americans was none other than veteran Juli Inkster, both a fan and player favorite as well as a good choice as lead-off. Juli is a confident player although I could see her focus drift for a few holes allowing Sophie Gustafson a brief three-hole European stretch from the tenth through the twelfth holes. Juli gained her composure and came back to make it all square at the thirteenth and then finished the job for the final four holes of her match.

Another exciting match was played between five-month pregnant Laura Diaz and also-pregnant Iben Tinning (6 & 5). Although she sat out on Saturday, Diaz came prepared to play today. Putts were dropping as they should given Diaz’s father owns a miniature golf course and driving range. There must have been lots of putting contests in the Diaz household. As Diaz put it, “it just feels good to come out and make some birdies and get a point on the board, because we believe, we believe red, white and blue!” Diaz was never down and posted four birdies and an eagle at the ninth hole today.

I really thought Trish Johnson was going to defeat Pat Hurst. As the match progressed Johnson stayed up on Hurst, one of the only pairings on the board to hold the European flag in a sea of American flags. But as Hurst looked up to see the red American notches on the leaderboard it gave her enough confidence to hold her game together and charge to victory posting yet another American “red” on the scoreboard (2 & 1).

Let’s not forget the third player in the “triple threat” Natalie Gulbis, who was exuberant both out on the course and afterward cheering on her team. Breathless after defeating Maria Hjorth 2 & 1 all Gulbis could think of was the USA victory. “To play in the whole week and then to win it, it’s - we’re so excited. It’s unbelievable. The whole week has been, from the beginning to even before the week started, to all the team meetings and everything, getting a chance to play for Nancy Lopez, and we got our Cup back.”

Meg Mallon actually won the clinching point. In defeating Karen Stupples 3 & 1 Mallon had to play exceptionally well just to claim at least a half point as Karen Stupples just kept getting out of trouble and halving against the veteran. Mallon remembered 1992 when she was on the losing end as current European team captain Catrin Nilsmark defeated her, but this week erased all those uncomfortable memories. “I’ll never forget that feeling. It was a tough way to feel, but what a great feeling this was. It’s unbelievable to play for your country and play in front of these fans, and this has just been amazing this week.”

Yes there were wins on the European side. I don’t want to downplay how terrific the European Team played. They earned the respect of both Team USA and the viewers who cheered on the race for the Waterford Crystal trophy. Annika easily defeated Beth Daniel 4 & 3, “Obviously, a little disappointed about the outcome. It was so so close, but the US team played some great golf.”

Cristie Kerr never seemed to get her putts rolling and was handed defeat by Gwladys Nocera 2 & 1. Catriona Matthew easily defeated friend Wendy Ward 3 & 2. Ward wasn’t depressed with her loss but happy that her friend played well. “Me and Beani have been friends a long time. She’s a very consistent player, and today proved how good of a consistent player she could be.” It was practically a love fest for the two teams as they all know each other and play regularly on tour.

The match of the day went to Paula Creamer as she totally demoralized Laura Davies who lost 7 & 5 to the Rolex Rookie of the Year. An early victory by the Pink Panther allowed the 19-year old to sit on the sidelines all day and revel in her superb singles match while rooting on her teammates. Creamer was so excited to be the cheerleader for the American team that she couldn’t catch her breath. “To play good golf and play against Laura Davies and come out and watch all the other players, it’s been - I have so much energy, but at the same time, it’s emotionally draining.”

Team USA really packed a punch today delivering six victories in the first seven matches with none of those even going a full round.

With the excitement of the Solheim Cup lingering in the minds of its fans it is now up to incoming LPGA commissioner Bivens to catch the attention of the media and make the LPGA a more common household name among golfers. She may very well be able to create a stir as the young golfers are more interesting to watch. With her businesss background and love of golf perhaps the LPGA can become a more powerful attraction.

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