Europe Surges to Tie Solheim Cup 8-8 Heading Into Sunday Singles

Europe has clawed back from an early 4-0 deficit, but the U.S. could have the fresher team heading into Sunday, writes Alex Miceli.

ANDALUCIA, Spain — For the second straight day, Europe took the afternoon fourball session 3 – 1, leveling the 18th Solheim Cup 8 to 8 and moving back into the role as the betting favorite at Finca Cortesin.

This event began with disappointment, if not outright shock, for European captain Suzann Pettersen when her team lost all four matches in the Friday morning foursomes. But that setback was wiped away once and for all in Saturday’s afternoon fourballs when Danielle Kang, paired with Lilia Vu, missed a birdie putt on the 17th hole to lose the match against Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant 2 & 1, giving Europe the last point they needed to tie the match heading into Sunday.

Europeans has outscored the U.S. 8-4 in the past three sessions.

“I didn't say too much this morning, I think I had a fairly clear speech last night,” Pettersen said of her message to her team before play on Saturday. “So I think just overall, it's been three great sessions for Europe. We kind of gave them a little bit of a head start and now we're even. “

Carlota Ciganda of Spain celebrates in her home country after winning her Saturday afternoon match. Europe won the session 3-1 to tie the Solheim Cup / Getty Images

At the turn Saturday afternoon, the Europeans were leading in all four matches.

“Come out, get your point, simple as (that), Leona Maguire said after her 4 & 3 victory Saturday afternoon. “She (Suzann Pettersen) said, do what I do, and that would be (enough to) get a point. So, it was nice to get out early and get off early with Charley (Hull) and just really never gave the Americans a chance to have a sniff at it.”

Midway through the session only the match between Hull and Maguire vs. Ewing and Korda was out of reach for the U.S., as Europe was 4 up through 12 holes. So the opportunity existed for an American comeback, but only Cheyenne Knight and rookie Angel Vu heeded the call, rallying to take the lead in their match on the 13th hole and never relinquishing it en route to a 2-up victory.

“Well, we didn't know how anyone was doing and we were kind of giving ourselves a pep talk, and then on 10, we saw all blue on the board, and Angel is like, all right, we got to go,” Knight said after her victory. “So big, full point for us and some momentum going into tomorrow.”

The matches are tied for only the fifth time in Solheim Cup history (2019, 2011, 2009 and 2005) Both Europe and the U.S. have gone on to win the cup twice in those scenarios.

What may make the difference is that captain Pettersen has been working from behind, switching up her pairings to get creative and find a spark. She played three players four times: rookies Linn Grant and Emily Pedersen and two-time Solheim Cupper McGuire four times. Sunday will mark their fifth trip around a hilly Finca Cortesin.

Add the fact that Pettersen tried to hide Caroline Hedwall until Saturday afternoon, where she lost the only European match of the session, and Charley Hull's injury, and Europe may have a tough task on Sunday.

“It's called a facet sprain,” Hull said of her injury.” I don't know, I actually picked up my bag last week and that kind of started it, and then I did it from sleeping on the plane over here as well. So, yeah, it's been pretty sore. I kind of had to change my swing a little bit to kind of account for it. It's probably about 70, 80 percent now.”

At the same time, U.S. captain Lewis did not play any player four times this week. She sees that as a benefit going into Sunday.

“I think we've always wanted our players to be fresh for Sunday, that's the biggest thing,” Lewis said. “Because this thing, it always comes down to Sunday. So, we wanted our players to be fresh. I mean, this golf course and this walk is brutal. I don't care what kind of shape you're in, it is a hard walk.”

2023 Solheim Cup Sunday Singles Pairings

(Matches start at 5:10 Eastern Time at 12 minute intervals)

Match 17 – Megan Khang (USA) v. Linn Grant (Europe)

Match 18 – Rose Zhang (USA) v. Leona Maguire (Europe)

Match 19 – Danielle Kang (USA) v. Charley Hull (Europe)

Match 20 – Jennifer Kupcho (USA) v. Anna Nordqvist (Europe)

Match 21 – Andrea Lee (USA) v. Georgia Hall (Europe)

Match 22 – Cheyenne Knight (USA) v. Gemma Dryburgh (Europe)

Match 23 - Angel Yin (USA) v. Celine Boutier (Europe)

Match 24 – Ally Ewing (USA) v. Caroline Hedwall (Europe)

Match 25 – Lilia Vu (USA) v. Madelene Sagstrom (Europe)

Match 26 – Allsen Corpuz (USA) v. Maja Stark (Europe)

Match 27 – Nelly Korda (USA) v. Carlota Ciganda (Europe)

Match 28 – Lexi Thompson (USA) v. Emily K. Pedersen (Europe)