The United States Solheim Cup Team extended their lead to five points over Team Europe, 10.5 to 5.5, and will need only 3.5 points to retain the Cup or 4 points to win outright in Sunday’s singles matches.
“We played well. We played probably better than well; we played amazing,” said USA Captain Juli Inkster, who is trying to join Judy Rankin (USA in 1996 and 1998) as the only women for either side to captain two victorious teams. “But as you know, closing it out is the toughest thing to do. And we need one more great day of golf.”
The afternoon’s four-ball matches featured four tight battles.
Team Brittany, Lang and Linciome, posted a 2-up win over Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid to get things started for thew Americans. Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Anna Nordqvist beat Lizette Salas and Angel Yin, 4 and 2 for the only Euro point of the session.
Paul Creamer and Austin Ernst took a 2-and-1 win over Karine Icher and Madelene Sagstrom, and Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson closed out the leader board for the USA with a 4-and-2 win over Georgia Hall and Catriona Matthew.
The morning’s foursomes matches were an even split, with Team USA taking two 5-and-3 wins and Team Europe taking two 2-and-1 victories.
Kerr and Thompson never trailed in their victory over Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson, while Creamer and Ernst came back from an early deficit to beat Reid and Emily Pedersen. Hall and Nordqvist used their superb putting skills to secure the win over Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller, and Matthew and Icher won their second foursomes match of the Cup, this time over Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang.
For two American veterans, it was a morning that rewrote the record book. Kerr earned her 19th career point and passed USA Captain Inkster at 18.5 for the most points in USA Solheim Cup history. Kerr also now has the most match wins in USA history with 16, passing Inkster’s 15. Creamer passed Inkster as the USA’s all-time points winner in foursomes matches with 8.5 points.
2017 SOLHEIM CUP AFTER 4 SESSIONS
USA 10.5 – EUROPE 5.5
SATURDAY RESULTS
FOURSOMES: USA 2 EUROPE 2
Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) DEFEATED Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson (EUR) 5 AND 3
Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) DEFEATED Mel Reid and Emily Pedersen (EUR) 5 AND 3
Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall (EUR) DEFEATED Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller (USA) 2 AND 1
Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher (EUR) DEFEATED Michelle Wie and Danielle Kang (USA), 2 AND 1
FOUR-BALLS: USA 3 EUROPE 1
Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome (USA) DEFEATED Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid (USA) 2 UP
Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Anna Nordqvist (EUR) DEFEATED Lizette Salas and Angel Yin (USA) 4 AND 2
Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst (USA) DEFEATED Karine Icher and Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) 2 AND 1
Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) DEFEATED Georgia Hall and Catriona Matthew (EUR) 4 AND 2
SUNDAY SINGLES SCHEDULE
9:31 AM – Anna Nordqvist (EUR) v. Lexi Thompson (USA)
9:42 AM – Georgia Hall (EUR) v. Paula Creamer (USA)
9:53 AM – Mel Reid (EUR) v. Cristie Kerr (USA)
10:04 AM – Catriona Matthew (EUR) v. Stacy Lewis (USA)
10:15 AM – Karine Icher (EUR) v. Angel Yin (USA)
10:26 AM – Caroline Masson (EUR) v. Michelle Wie (USA)
10:37 AM – Jodi Ewart Shadoff (EUR) v. Lizette Salas (USA)
10:48 AM – Charley Hull (EUR) v. Brittany Lang (USA)
10:59 AM – Carlota Ciganda (EUR) v. Brittany Lincicome (USA)
11:10 AM – Florentyna Parker (EUR) v. Gerina Piller (USA)
11:21 AM – Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) v. Austin Ernst (USA)
11:32 AM – Emily Pedersen (EUR) v. Danielle Kang (USA)
Credit/Source: Getty Images, LPGA Communciations
