Americans Extend Lead in Saturday Morning Foursomes to 7 ½ to 4 ½
Following a shut out Friday afternoon, Team Europe needed to grab as many points as they could in the Saturday morning’s foursomes to keep within striking distance of Team USA. The teams of Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall and Karine Icher and Catriona Matthew stepped up to the challenge, winning their matches for the second consecutive day to put two points on the board for the Europeans. But Team USA didn’t lie down. The teams of Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer and Austin Ernst both pulled out 5&3 victories to extend the Americans’ lead to 7 ½ to 4 ½ heading into the afternoon session.
Afternoon Belongs to Americans, Take Five Point Lead into Sunday Singles
Team Europe struggled in the four-ball matches this week, leading in only one of the eight matches contested. Saturday afternoon, Anna Nordqvist remained undefeated with a win alongside Jodi Ewart Shadoff in the four-ball matches. The team defeated Lizette Salas and Angel Yin 4&2 to earn the only point of the afternoon session for Team Europe.
The team of Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome, who won the Friday four-ball 3&2, won 2up Saturday over Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid. But the real story of this match was the incredible rounds played by both Brittanys. Lincicome made birdie on her first seven holes, followed by an eagle from Lang at the eighth hole. They both added birdies down the stretch for a total of 15 birdies and one eagle between them.
The 10 ½ to 5 ½ margin matches the largest lead held by Team USA since 1998.
Team Europe has never come from behind on Sunday to win the Solheim Cup. In each of the team’s five victories they held at least a share of the lead heading into the Sunday singles matches. The largest comeback was made by Team USA in 2015 when they overcame a 10 – 6 deficit on Sunday to win.
Another Record-Breaking Day for U.S.A.
With her win Saturday morning, Cristie Kerr picked up her 19th career point in the Solheim Cup and passed captain Juli Inkster as the winning-most player in the history of the event. She also owns the most matches won at 16, passing Inkster’s previous record of 15.
Paula Creamer also made history Saturday morning in passing Juli Inkster to become the player with the most points earned in foursomes for Team U.S.A. with 8 ½.
Tee Times Moved Up For Sunday
With storms forecasted for the afternoon Sunday, tee times and TV times have been moved up for the singles matches. Tee times will begin at 9:31 a.m. CT. Coverage will begin live on Golf Channel at 9:30 a.m. CT.
Sunday Singles Matches
9:31 a.m. - Anna Nordqvist vs Lexi Thompson
9:42 a.m. - Georgia Hall vs Paula Creamer
9:53 a.m. - Mel Reid vs Cristie Kerr
10:04 a.m. - Catriona Matthew vs Stacy Lewis
10:15 a.m. - Karine Icher vs Angel Yin
10:26 a.m. - Caroline Masson vs Michelle Wie
10:37 a.m. - Jodi Ewart Shadoff vs Lizette Salas
10:48 a.m. - Charley Hull vs Brittany Lang
10:59 a.m. - Carlota Ciganda vs Brittany Lincicome
11:10 a.m. - Florentyna Parker vs Gerina Piller
11:21 a.m. - Madelene Sagstrom vs Austin Ernst
11:32 a.m. - Emily Pedersen vs Danielle Kang
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