Solheim Cup 2019: Europe pip USA in dramatic finale – as it happened | Sport

Congratulations to Europe, then, as they lift the Solheim Cup – their Solheim Cup – to the Perthshire sky. Commiserations to the USA team, who played a major part in a thrilling contest. And thanks to you for reading this live blog. I wasn’t sure anything in golf this year would top the final day of the Women’s British Open at Woburn, but I think this might have just managed it. What an afternoon! We won’t be forgetting it in a hurry.

Juli Inkster’s gracious verdict. “It was great, great for women’s golf. Look at these crowds, it was fabulous. The European crowds have been great to us all week. We’ve had some Scottish weather, some wind, some sunshine, we got the full effect! I’m proud of my team. Everyone got some sort of point. I’m looking forward to 2021 … watching! Watching! Thanks for having us.”

Team Europe, who have won the greatest Solheim Cup in the most amazing circumstances, take to the first tee for the trophy presentation. First up, there’s a warm reception for the Americans, who will be hurting badly, but did so much to contribute to a fantastic week’s golf at Gleneagles. Their captain Juli Inkster allows herself a wry smile. There’s a cheeky glint in her eye as the camera catches her enjoying something cold from a beaker. She deserves a wee dram; her team were brilliant in their own way. But somebody had to lose, and so it’s time to hand over that bonny crystal vase to Europe …

Let’s have a look at that scoreboard then, now it’s all done and dusted. And while Europe deservedly celebrate, you have to feel sorry for the Korda sisters, who both launched sensational comebacks to secure points for the USA … only to see the hosts pull off a late, late counter-attack of their own!

1UP Ciganda v Kang
Hedwall v N Korda 2UP
2&1 Hall v Thompson
2&1 Boutier v Park
Munoz v Yin 2&1
Hull A/S Khang
Van Dam v Salas 1UP
Masson v J Korda 3&2
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 5&4
1UP Pettersen v Alex
2&1 Law v McDonald
4&3 Nordqvist v Pressel
EUROPE 14½-13½ USA

And what about that Bronte Law, huh? “Honestly, what just happened in the past 30 seconds, I’ll never experience again. I love being part of a team, this is exactly what I play this game for. I’m not a selfish person, I don’t do it for myself, I wanted to do it for Beany [Catriona Matthew’s nickname].” A pause before she dissolves into the most happy tears. Plenty of emotion. “The support has been phenomenal, this is nothing I’ve ever experienced in my whole life. They are honestly the 13th member of the team. They’ve been screaming all day and it makes a massive difference. It gives you that pep in your step!” What a player. What a fighter. She wasn’t going to give that up, was she? Law simply oozes star quality. A major winner in waiting, though all that’s for another day of course.

The 18th-green hero Suzann Pettersen talks! “It’s all just a big blur. It was a good putt. I was trying to make some kind of birdie. It’s tough mentally. In your wildest dream, I never thought I’d do this again. But you’ve got to grab the moment and trust that you are good enough. This is just a fantastic win for the team. I didn’t feel much pressure, I knew my teammates wanted me on the team, what you guys say is irrelevant!”

The winning captain Catriona Matthew speaks! “Just unbelievable! There’s never been a better moment! For it to come down to the last game … the Americans played great as well, but for Suzann to get the winning putt is phenomenal. Half-an-hour ago it looked like a draw would be a good result, but those last three games were crucial. Just fantastic. I had faith in Pettersen all the time! This is the best moment, nothing tops this. There’s gonna be a party!”

The 18th green is taken over by hundreds of well-wishers. Plenty of cavorting going on at the moment. There’ll be a few nippy sweeties downed this evening! That is a quite sensational victory. It really did seem all over for Europe, when Megan Khang wrested a half off Charley Hull and Lizette Salas put Anne van Dam to the sword. The USA were just half a point off retaining their trophy, one point away from overall victory. But right at that moment, Bronte Law and Suzann Pettersen salvaged halves at holes they looked destined to lose. Suddenly, it was possible. And what moxie Law and Pettersen displayed to win their matches and close it out! What a smash-and-grab! What a story! What beautiful, gorgeous nonsense!

Pettersen knocks it in! It’s there! It was never missing! A gentle left-to-right slider that was always dropping! Pettersen’s team-mates flood the green with blue, and Gleneagles erupts in celebration! How on earth did Europe salvage that! What a comeback, right at the death! And it’s the captain’s pick Suzann Pettersen with the winning putt. The last putt, in the last match, on the last green! The greatest Solheim Cup win ever? Pretty much, yes!

1UP Pettersen v Alex (F)
EUROPE 14½-13½ USA

This drama really did explode out of nowhere. Europe looked to be sputtering to quiet defeat, but Pettersen and Law refused to go gentle into the night. On 17, Law lags up to secure her par. Up on 18, Alex’s putt slides by on the right. It’s all down to Pettersen, then … especially as McDonald can’t get up and down from sand at 17. It really is all down to Pettersen! She steps up … and …

Pettersen A/S Alex (17)
2&1 Law v McDonald (F)
EUROPE 13½-13½ USA

Pettersen has just played one of the shots of the week! She lands her third 20 feet past the flag, and spins it back to six feet! That’s put so much pressure on Alex. But she sends one over the flag. It’s a fine shot, landing softly 12 feet past. Wow. This really is quite the shootout! Alex will be putting first. And if she makes her birdie, this is all over. If not, Pettersen will have a putt that would effectively win the Solheim Cup!

Alex plays the percentages and lays up. Pettersen meanwhile has a good lie in the rough, 220 yards from the pin. But she decides against going for it. Instead she wedges onto the fairway alongside Alex. It’ll set up a shootout. It’s one Pettersen simply has to win. Meanwhile back on 17, Law finds the centre of the green, while McDonald hoicks her tee shot into the bunker at the back. It really is all down to Pettersen now. This approach could win or lose the Solheim Cup for Europe!

Pettersen A/S Alex (17)
1 UP Law v McDonald (16)
EUROPE 12½-13½ USA

It had been coming for a very, very, very long time: Anna Nordqvist finishes off Morgan Pressel, 4&3. And on 16, Bronte Law guides a 20-foot right-to-left slider in for birdie, and the dream is not quite over for Europe! If Law can hang on … and if Pettersen can find something up 18 … if, if, if. We’ll soon find out!

Pettersen A/S Alex (17)
1 UP Law v McDonald (16)
4&3 Nordqvist v Pressel (F)
EUROPE 12½-13½ USA

Alex splits the 18th fairway. So much pressure now on Pettersen, who has to win this hole if Europe are to retain a chance of victory. But she sends a slice into the thick stuff on the right. Nothing’s lost yet on the par-five, but the USA are in the box seat here.

Pettersen and Alex both find 17. Both are faced with long birdie putts. Both nearly make them. Had Alex’s dropped, the US would have retained the cup. But Europe survive. Pettersen and Alex will go up the last, with everything on the line!

Pettersen A/S Alex (17)
Law A/S McDonald (15)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (14)
EUROPE 11½-13½ USA

Pettersen salvages a half on 16 with a lovely lagged putt from off the front of the green. And somehow on 15, McDonald lets Law off with her bunker slip, Europe escaping with a half there as well. Those could prove to be two crucial moments. Huge moments. Because if Pettersen and Law somehow scrap to victory in their matches, Europe can still pip the USA! Some big holes coming up right here, right now!

Pettersen A/S Alex (16)
Law A/S McDonald (15)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (14)
EUROPE 11½-13½ USA

Salas, who made the winning putt two years ago, rolls an almost perfect right-to-left curler to a couple of inches. It’s a par. That leaves Van Dam with a putt to halve the match. She gives it far too much on the high side, and the ball races off to the right. Salas secures her point, and the USA are so close now! She celebrates with her pals, while poor Van Dam dissolves in tears.

van Dam v Salas 1 UP (F)
Pettersen A/S Alex (16)
Law A/S McDonald (15)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (14)
EUROPE 11½-13½ USA

What a shot by Marina Alex! She whips her third at 16 to kick-in distance. The pressure’s lumped on Suzann Pettersen. Back on 15, Bronte Law takes a couple of shots to get out of a greenside bunker. And up on 18, Salas knocks her third to 20 feet. Van Dam leaves herself an eight-foot birdie putt. It’s one she’ll need to make, because Europe’s hopes are receding with great speed now.

Back down the hole, Salas has driven into deep nonsense and can only take her medicine and hack out. Not the end of the world on this par-five, especially as she’s a hole ahead. But the door is slightly ajar for Van Dam, and she blooters a lovely fairway wood up towards the green. She’s just off the front in two.

van Dam v Salas 1 UP (17)
Pettersen A/S Alex (15)
Law A/S McDonald (14)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (13)
EUROPE 11½-12½ USA

It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for them, though. On 18, Hull and Khang send their second shots into the swale to the front left of the large undulating green. Hull mishits her chip up, and remains down the bank. Khang however knocks hers to five feet, a quite wonderful shot. It’s real carpe-diem stuff, and it forces Hull to race a wild putt up onto the green and down the swale on the other side. She isn’t able to make the hail-mary par putt, and so the hole’s lost and the match is halved. What a chip by Khang. It could be the shot that does for Europe!

Hull A/S Khang (F)
van Dam v Salas 1 UP (17)
Pettersen A/S Alex (15)
Law A/S McDonald (14)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (13)
EUROPE 11½-12½ USA

Van Dam can’t make her long par saver. She’ll go up the last one down to Salas. Better news for Europe as Bronte Law levels up her match with Ally McDonald on 14. As things stand, the US will retain their trophy after a draw. Europe need something, and fast.

1 UP Hull v Khang (17)
van Dam v Salas 1 UP (16)
Pettersen A/S Alex (14)
Law A/S McDonald (14)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (11)
EUROPE 11-12 USA

Van Dam manages to get her ball out of the trap, but can only thin it through the other side of the green. She’ll have a long putt to scramble an unlikely par. But with Salas 12 feet or so away, this very much looks like the USA’s hole. And back on 16, it’s the USA’s match, as Jessica Korda gets up and down from sand for birdie, while Caroline Masson’s effort for birdie lips out.

1 UP Hull v Khang (17)
van Dam A/S Salas (16)
Masson v J Korda 3&2 (F)
Pettersen A/S Alex (14)
Law v McDonald 1UP (12)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (11)
EUROPE 11-12 USA

Van Dam pulls her tee shot at 17, and her ball’s plugged in the bank of a bunker. Right up against the lip. And she’s got no stance. She’ll do well to get that out, never mind close. The door’s open for Salas, who deserves a little good fortune on these shores after her final-green heartbreak in the British Open at Woburn. She creams a delicious tee shot straight at the flag, and it’s very much advantage America there.

Neither Hull nor Khang make their birdie putts. Khang refuses to concede Hull’s ten-inch par putt, which is poor form, even under these circumstances. Hull tidies up and they’ll go down the last. Meanwhile Anne van Dam levels her match against Lizette Salas with birdie at 16, but it’s one step forward, another back for Europe, as Marina Alex levels things up against Suzann Pettersen, the momentum in that match very much with the American now.

1 UP Hull v Khang (17)
van Dam A/S Salas (16)
Masson v J Korda 2UP (15)
Pettersen A/S Alex (14)
Law v McDonald 1UP (12)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (11)
EUROPE 11-11 USA

Hull ratchets up the pressure by firing a lovely iron straight at the 17th flag. But Khang isn’t giving up yet, and responds with an equally delightful tee shot. Both will take a look at birdie from 12 feet or so. What moxie under the circumstances!

1 UP Hull v Khang (16)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (15)
Masson v J Korda 2UP (15)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (13)
Law v McDonald 1UP (12)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (11)
EUROPE 11-11 USA

Angel Yin sends a lovely draw into 17. It’s pin high, 15 feet from the flag. A certain par … and Azahara Munoz can’t make the birdie she requires to extend the match. Munoz battled well to get back into contention, but too much damage was done early doors. Elsewhere, Jessica Korda moves two up on Caroline Masson, but it’s a fine birdie for Charley Hull at 16, the reward for finding the back fringe of the par five in two, and she takes the lead over Megan Khang at a crucial juncture!

Munoz v Yin 2&1 (F)
1 UP Hull v Khang (16)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (15)
Masson v J Korda 2UP (15)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (13)
Law v McDonald 1UP (12)
4UP Nordqvist v Pressel (11)
EUROPE 11-11 USA

Suzanne Pettersen nearly chips in from the back of 13. But not quite. She needed it, too, for the half. She’s just one hole up on Marina Alex now. Better news for Europe in the final match, where Anna Nordqvist takes another hole off the hapless Morgan Pressel.

It had been a long time coming. Brittany Altomare completes a 5&4 rout over Jodi Ewart Shadoff by rolling in a 15-footer on 14. She’s missed nothing with the flat stick today.

Munoz v Yin 2UP (16)
Hull A/S Khang (15)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (15)
Masson v J Korda 1UP (14)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 5&4 (F)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (12)
Law v McDonald 1UP (11)
3UP Nordqvist v Pressel (10)
EUROPE 11-10 USA

Boutier beats Park 2&1! It was a stunning finish to the match, as the French star nearly chipped in from tight rough on 17, Park then an inch away from holing out from the sand! Both players so unlucky not to end on a high, though Boutier will care not a jot. Meanwhile back on 16, the pendulum swings the other way, as Munoz sees her 30-foot birdie effort lip out, then watches Yin tidy up for birdie from six feet.

2&1 Boutier v Park (F)
Munoz v Yin 2UP (16)
Hull A/S Khang (15)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (15)
Masson v J Korda 1UP (14)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 5UP (13)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (12)
Law v McDonald 1UP (11)
3UP Nordqvist v Pressel (10)
EUROPE 11-9 USA

Another hole for Anna Nordqvist, this time at 10. Meanwhile Celine Boutier has birdied 16 to go dormie two in her match. Neither her nor Annie Park have found the 17th green with their tee shot. Meanwhile Caroline Masson has pulled one back at 14.

2UP Boutier v Park (16)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (15)
Hull A/S Khang (15)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (14)
Masson v J Korda 1UP (14)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 5UP (13)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (11)
Law v McDonald 1UP (11)
3UP Nordqvist v Pressel (10)
EUROPE 10-9 USA

As if in celebration of her sister’s victory, Jessica Korda trundles an 80-foot putt into the cup at 13! It steals the hole off Caroline Masson, who was looking at a 15-footer to win it herself. Spooked, Masson misses the putt, and she’s two down. But better news for Europe on 17, where Thompson shoves her tee shot into sand, fails to get up and down, and shakes hands with Georgia Hall, who has now delivered four points out of four this week!

2&1 Hall v Thompson (F)
2UP Boutier v Park (16)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (15)
Hull A/S Khang (15)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (14)
Masson v J Korda 2UP (13)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 5UP (13)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (11)
Law v McDonald (11)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (9)
EUROPE 10-9 USA

Nelly Korda closes out the second match with birdie up 18. It’s too much for Hedwall, who can’t bump in a chip from the swale to the side of the hole. A concession, and the US have their first point of the singles!

Hedwall v N Korda 2UP (F)
2UP Hall v Thompson (16)
2UP Boutier v Park (16)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (15)
Hull A/S Khang (15)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (14)
Masson v J Korda 2UP (13)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 5UP (13)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (11)
Law v McDonald (11)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (9)
EUROPE 9-9 USA

Thompson, from the back of a swale behind the 16th green, hits a hot putt 12 feet past the hole. She can’t make the one coming back, and that’s just a par on the par-five. Hall has a chance to wrap up the match, but can’t do so, her birdie effort from similar distance dribbling past the left lip. She’s dormie two. Meanwhile on 11, Suzann Pettersen rattles in a monster to move two up on Alex.

Hedwall v N Korda 1UP (17)
2UP Hall v Thompson (16)
1UP Boutier v Park (15)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (14)
Hull A/S Khang (14)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (13)
Masson v J Korda 1UP (12)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 5UP (12)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (11)
Law v McDonald (10)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (8)
EUROPE 9-8 USA

Kang gives it a good old rattle. She’s not going to die wondering. But it drifts by on the right, ending a couple of feet past. She rather generously picks up Ciganda’s marker – she could legitimately have seen the first putt, just in case her opponent froze – conceding the hole and the match. That’s the first point on the board this afternoon … and it’s Europe’s!

1UP Ciganda v Kang (F)
Hedwall v N Korda 1UP (17)
2UP Hall v Thompson (15)
1UP Boutier v Park (14)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (14)
Hull A/S Khang (13)
van Dam v Salas 1UP (13)
Masson A/S J Korda (11)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 4UP (11)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (9)
Law A/S McDonald (8)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (8)
EUROPE 9-8 USA

Ciganda plays one of the shots of the week! She bumps her chip out of the filth hard, into the upslope of the swale. The slope takes the sting out of the ball, which trundles up onto the green and stops pin high, 20 feet or so from the flag. From where she was, that was quite outstanding! Kang swishes her second sand shot up and out, over a huge lip, and to ten feet. That was pretty special as well, a long relaxed swing that landed her ball delicately on the green. But she’ll need to make this par putt.

This is coming to a boil now! Megan Khang misses from eight feet on 13, and she’s all square with Charley Hull. Angel Yin shoves a three footer wide right at 14, and her lead over Azahara Munoz, once four holes, is back down to just one. And drama on 18, as Kang flubs her sand shot, weakly sending it into another trap closer to the green. Advantage Ciganda? Well, maybe, but she’s in tangled nonsense up the bank, with a swale between her ball and the green … and little dancefloor to play with. A big moment here.

Ciganda A/S Kang (17)
Hedwall v N Korda 1UP (17)
2UP Hall v Thompson (15)
1UP Boutier v Park (14)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (14)
Hull A/S Khang (13)
van Dam A/S Salas (11)
Masson A/S J Korda (11)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 4UP (11)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (9)
Law A/S McDonald (8)
3UP Nordqvist v Pressel (7)

Georgia Hall gets up and down from a tight spot to the side of 15. And when Lexi Thompson misses a short par putt, it’s enough for the hole! She moves two clear at a crucial stage. On 17, Caroline Hedwall should level things up in the second match, after swishing a gorgeous tee shot pin high to ten feet, but she misreads the straightest putt at Gleneagles, giving it too much on the right, and Nelly Korda escapes with a par. And trouble for both players currently going up 18: after fine drives, Kang finds a greenside bunker with her second, while Ciganda flays her approach miles to the right. Tricky up and downs for both.

Having reduced a four-hole deficit to one, Azahara Munoz undoes some of her good work with a tatty bogey at 13. She’s two down to Angel Yin again. On 16, Caroline Hedwall teases a 30-foot birdie slider across the green and into the cup. You can hear the roar in Aviemore. She’s just one down now, with two still to play. Meanwhile up on 17, Kang splashes out magnificently to ten feet, the best she could do having shortsided herself. And in goes the par saver! She’s scrambled a half, because Ciganda’s birdie putt never looks like dropping. Anna Nordqvist looks in control of the final match right now, by the way. She’s moved three up after seven holes. Which way is this going to go? You wouldn’t bet the farm, would you.

Ciganda A/S Kang (17)
Hedwall v N Korda 1UP (16)
1UP Hall v Thompson (14)
1UP Boutier v Park (13)
Munoz v Yin 2UP (13)
Hull v Khang 1UP (12)
van Dam A/S Salas (11)
Masson A/S J Korda (11)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 4UP (11)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (9)
Law A/S McDonald (8)
3UP Nordqvist v Pressel (7)

Suddenly it all begins to go a bit wrong for Danielle Kang. Carlota Ciganda applies the pressure at the par-three 17th by firing her tee shot straight at the flag, ten feet short. Kang pulls hers into sand on the left. Back on 8, Ally McDonald creams a stunning second to three feet, and tidies up for a birdie that levels her match with Bronte Law.

Ciganda A/S Kang (16)
Hedwall v N Korda 2UP (15)
1UP Hall v Thompson (14)
1UP Boutier v Park (13)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (12)
Hull v Khang 1UP (11)
van Dam A/S Salas (11)
Masson A/S J Korda (11)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 4UP (10)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (8)
Law A/S McDonald (8)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (6)

Two putts for Ciganda on 16, and it’s enough for a birdie that wins the hole and ties up the opening match. That one’s sure to go down 18 now. Meanwhile birdie for Altomare on 10, as Ewart Shadoff begins to lose control. But Annie Park’s short par putt on 13 horseshoes out, gifting the lead to the relentless Celine Boutier, while Jessica Korda’s short missed effort on 10 allows Caroline Masson to tie up that match. This is back in Europe’s hands now, but expect plenty of to and fro. The drama’s only just starting!

Ciganda A/S Kang (16)
Hedwall v N Korda 2UP (15)
1UP Hall v Thompson (14)
1UP Boutier v Park (13)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (12)
Hull v Khang 1UP (11)
van Dam A/S Salas (11)
Masson A/S J Korda (10)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 4UP (10)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (8)
1UP Law v McDonald (7)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (6)

Jodi Ewart Shadoff yips a tiddler on 9 to turn three down against Brittany Altomare. She bends over double in extreme anguish. That could be costly. Caroline Hedwall misses a short one on 15, too, and the Swede has really let this one get away. Having been three up at the turn, she’s now two down. If nothing else, it proves to Ewart Shadoff that all is not yet lost. Although Azahara Munoz’s antics should already be providing succour: she wins another hole, this time 12, to reduce her once-huge deficit against Angel Yin to one hole.

Ciganda v Kang 1UP (15)
Hedwall v N Korda 2UP (15)
1UP Hall v Thompson (13)
Boutier A/S Park (12)
Munoz v Yin 1UP (12)
Hull v Khang 1UP (10)
van Dam A/S Salas (10)
Masson v J Korda 1UP (9)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 3UP (9)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (8)
1UP Law v McDonald (7)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (5)

Bronte Law isn’t taking this situation lying down. In goes a birdie putt on 7, and she nearly launches herself towards Pitlochry with the force of her celebration. And Carlota Ciganda isn’t done yet either. She smashes two huge shots down the par-five 16th to reach the green and set up a long eagle putt. However Kang puts a little pressure on by knocking her third – having laid up in front of the creek – to six feet. Let’s see how this pans out, then. A couple of big putts coming up, sure to shape the afternoon narrative.

Munoz continues to fight back! She wins a second hole in succession, stroking in a birdie putt on 11 from 20 feet. She’s just two holes down against Angel Yin. But elsewhere, the momentum is very much with the USA! The Kordas continue to rise after stuttering starts. Nelly wins 13, Jessica wins 9, and the sisters are now leading their matches after being three and two holes down respectively. And a bogey for Anne van Dam on 10 means Lizette Salas is level. All of a sudden, with Ally McDonald levelling things up against Bronte Law on 6, this is the USA’s to lose!

Ciganda v Kang 1UP (15)
Hedwall v N Korda 1UP (14)
1UP Hall v Thompson (12)
Boutier A/S Park (12)
Munoz v Yin 2UP (11)
Hull v Khang 1UP (10)
van Dam A/S Salas (10)
Masson v J Korda 1UP (9)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 2UP (8)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (7)
Law A/S McDonald (6)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (5)

Charley Hull, having finally made a putt on 9, knocks in another at 10. A birdie, and she holds her arms out in mock triumph, having let so many earlier chances slip by. She’s just the one down to Megan Khang now. Meanwhile Brittany Altomare rakes in a long one on 8 to move two up on Jodi Ewart Shadoff, while Anna Nordqvist goes two up in the final match. It could well go down to that last rubber, because as things stand the scores will be level … and the USA would retain the cup as holders. Best of luck guessing which way this is going to go.

Ciganda v Kang 1UP (14)
Hedwall A/S N Korda (13)
1UP Hall v Thompson (12)
Boutier A/S Park (11)
Munoz v Yin 3UP (10)
Hull v Khang 1UP (10)
1UP van Dam v Salas (9)
Masson A/S J Korda (8)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 2UP (8)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (6)
1UP Law v McDonald (5)
2UP Nordqvist v Pressel (4)

Finally a little joy for Azahara Munoz. She smoothly sends her tee shot at 10 to four feet, and the resulting birdie is enough to reduce her arrears to three holes. A round of two halves coming up? Meanwhile on 14 Kang rolls in the six-footer she’d left herself for birdie. Two putts for Ciganda, who birdies as well, but that’ll feel like a win for Kang after their respective tee shots. And back on 6, Pettersen nervelessly guides in a left-to-right slider from 25 feet for birdie, moving two clear of Alex. Ice cold.

Ciganda v Kang 1UP (14)
Hedwall A/S N Korda (13)
1UP Hall v Thompson (11)
Boutier A/S Park (11)
Munoz v Yin 3UP (10)
Hull v Khang 2UP (9)
1UP van Dam v Salas (8)
Masson A/S J Korda (8)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (7)
2UP Pettersen v Alex (6)
1UP Law v McDonald (4)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (3)

Ciganda and Kang have been put on the clock. Neither player appears particularly fussed about it. Ciganda drives the short par-five 14th; Kang chips on in two. Meanwhile there’s a Korda resurgence: Nelly wins the 13th to draw level with Hedwall, while Jessica ties it up with Masson on 8.

Ciganda v Kang 1UP (13)
Hedwall A/S N Korda (13)
1UP Hall v Thompson (11)
Boutier A/S Park (11)
Munoz v Yin 4UP (9)
Hull v Khang 2UP (9)
1UP van Dam v Salas (8)
Masson A/S J Korda (8)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (7)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (5)
1UP Law v McDonald (4)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (3)

Boutier rights the wrongs of 10 by easing her second at 11 to six feet, then nailing the birdie putt. She’s all square with Park again. Meanwhile Hull, who missed two short putts on 7 and 8 to win the hole, knocks in a 12-footer on 9 to save the half. Strange game, golf.

Ciganda v Kang 1UP (13)
1UP Hedwall v N Korda (12)
1UP Hall v Thompson (11)
Boutier A/S Park (11)
Munoz v Yin 4UP (9)
Hull v Khang 2UP (9)
1UP van Dam v Salas (8)
1UP Masson v J Korda (7)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (7)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (5)
1UP Law v McDonald (4)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (3)

Ciganda’s driver cost her on 9. And having gotten out of position at 13, she slips behind in the opening match. Birdie beats bogey. Not a single match is tied right now! Europe would win the cup if everything remains the same, but there’s no more than a hole between the players in all but two of these matches. It’s on the proverbial knife-edge.

Ciganda v Kang 1UP (13)
1UP Hedwall v N Korda (12)
1UP Hall v Thompson (11)
Boutier v Park 1UP (10)
Munoz v Yin 4UP (9)
Hull v Khang 2UP (8)
1UP van Dam v Salas (8)
1UP Masson v J Korda (7)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (7)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (5)
1UP Law v McDonald (4)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (3)

Lexi Thompson’s putter has played up all year, and her flat stick continues to let her down today. She prods with great uncertainty at a three-footer on 11, and that’s three holes gone in the blink of an eye. And mixed news for Europe elsewhere. Suzann Pettersen moves one up on Marina Alex; Charley Hull misses another short chance to win a hole, this time at 8; Angel Yin hits the turn four ahead of Azahara Munoz; and Caroline Masson pulls a six-footer at 7 to hand a hole back to Jessica Korda. It is, to quote the great Danny Boon, all happening.

Ciganda A/S Kang (12)
1UP Hedwall v N Korda (12)
1UP Hall v Thompson (11)
Boutier v Park 1UP (10)
Munoz v Yin 4UP (9)
Hull v Khang 2UP (8)
1UP van Dam v Salas (8)
1UP Masson v J Korda (7)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (6)
1UP Pettersen v Alex (5)
1UP Law v McDonald (4)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (2)

A lovely tee shot by Celine Boutier at 10. Pin high to 12 feet. But it earns her nix. Nada. Nothing. Her opponent Annie Park rakes in a monster from the fringe, and Boutier’s birdie effort then fails to drop. Hole to the USA. Better news down the bottom, where Bronte Law scrambles par at 4 with a determined 15-footer, and it’s enough to win the hole and regain the lead over Ally McDonald.

Ciganda A/S Kang (12)
1UP Hedwall v N Korda (11)
Hall A/S Thompson (10)
Boutier v Park 1UP (10)
Munoz v Yin 3UP (8)
Hull v Khang 2UP (8)
1UP van Dam v Salas (7)
2UP Masson v J Korda (6)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (6)
Pettersen A/S Alex (4)
1UP Law v McDonald (4)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (2)

Ally McDonald has snatched a hole back off Bronte Law, but in the final game Anna Nordqvist has birdied 2 to start well against Morgan Pressel. A long way to go, of course, but as things stand, Europe will regain the Solheim Cup.

Ciganda A/S Kang (12)
1UP Hedwall v N Korda (11)
Hall A/S Thompson (10)
Boutier A/S Park (9)
Munoz v Yin 3UP (8)
Hull v Khang 2UP (8)
1UP van Dam v Salas (7)
2UP Masson v J Korda (6)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (6)
Pettersen A/S Alex (4)
Law A/S McDonald (3)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (2)

Back-to-back holes for Nelly Korda! She follows up birdie at 10 with another at 11, and suddenly she’s only one down against Caroline Hedwell. Meanwhile on 10, Lexi Thompson races her birdie effort ten feet past the hole, and she’s never getting the one coming back. Georgia Hall gets up and down from the top of a rugged mound, and she’s dragged the match back to all-square in short order!

Ciganda A/S Kang (11)
1UP Hedwall v N Korda (11)
Hall A/S Thompson (10)
Boutier A/S Park (9)
Munoz v Yin 3UP (8)
Hull v Khang 2UP (7)
1UP van Dam v Salas (7)
2UP Masson v J Korda (6)
Ewart Shadoff v Altomare 1UP (5)
Pettersen A/S Alex (4)
Law A/S McDonald (3)
1UP Nordqvist v Pressel (2)

Georgia Hall finally gets something going. Birdie at 9, and she hits the turn just one behind Lexi Thompson. The American then lets go of her club after hitting her tee shot at the par-three 10th, twirling it in the air like Stevie Nicks in the video for Tusk, before catching it cleanly. She’s disgusted with herself, but that’s professionals for you, because she’s still found the green. The weekend golfer would be thrilled. Birdie putt coming up.

Some truly world-class play on the short par-four 11th. Kang sends her second screeching to 18 inches, a surefire thing for birdie. So Ciganda responds by knocking her ball to 12 inches! A pair of stunning birdies! Back on 6, Van Dam yips from short range to hand a hole back to Salas. And on 7, Hull creams a delicious iron to four feet, but shoves the birdie putt wide right. She’s still a couple down to Khang.

Ciganda A/S Kang (11)
2UP Hedwall v N Korda (10)
Hall v Thompson 2UP (8)
Boutier A/S Park (8)
Munoz v Yin 3UP (7)
Hull v Khang 2UP (7)
1UP van Dam v Salas (6)
2UP Masson v J Korda (5)
Ewart Shadoff A/S Altomare (4)
Pettersen A/S Alex (2)
1UP Law v McDonald (2)
Nordqvist A/S Pressel (1)