GOLF
What is the biggest comeback in Solheim Cup history?
Europe must at least equal the greatest ever turnaround in the tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Sunday.
Team USA appear to have one hand on the Solheim Cup going into Sunday’s singles session against Europe, with Stacy Lewis’ team leading 10-6 after the first two days at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.
Fast start gives Team USA big Solheim Cup lead
The United States have built up a commanding lead as a result of a stellar performance on Friday, when they won both the morning foursomes and the afternoon four-balls 3-1 for a 6-2 lead. Nelly Korda, Lauren Coughlin, Rose Zhang and Sarah Schmelzel all won two points out of two.
Saturday was a more even contest, with both sessions ending level, allowing Team USA to maintain their four-point advantage going into Sunday. Late in the afternoon, the hosts led 10-4 but Europe crucially edged the last two four-ball matches to give themselves a glimmer of hope of retaining a trophy that has been in their possession since 2019.
The biggest ever Solheim Cup turnaround
If Suzann Petersen’s team are to take the Solheim Cup back across the bond, they will have to at least equal the biggest Sunday comeback in the history of the tournament.
At Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Germany in 2015, Europe looked set to win a third straight Solheim Cup after also racing into a 10-6 lead after the first two days. However, they were hit by an American sucker-punch on Sunday in what remains the closest edition of the event in history.
After Team USA had won seven of the first 11 matchups, Paula Creamer defeated Sandra Gal in the final clash to complete a sensational turnaround and secure a 14.5-13.5 victory.
Europe inspired by “Miracle of Medinah”
In the men’s Ryder Cup, Europe pulled off a similar comeback in 2012, which European media referred to as the “Miracle at Medinah” and which Spanish golfer Carlota Ciganda referenced in her post-round interview at Robert Trent Golf Club on Saturday.
“I think we have a chance, for sure. You have 12 points in singles,” she said. “That’s what we’re going try to do; everyone focus on their match, and why not? Medinah, the “Miracle at Medinah”, it’s coming.”
As holders, Europe need 14 points to retain the trophy, which means they must win eight of the 12 available in the singles session, which gets underway at 8:50am ET. The United States need 4.5 points to get to 14.5, which would see them win the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2017.