Team Europe wins Solheim Cup

Europe beat the USA by a record margin of 18 points to 10 at the Colorado Golf Club to retain the Solheim Cup. It was a first victory for Europe on American soil.

Europe wins Solheim Cup (Getty Images)

Europe beat the USA by a record margin of 18 points to 10 at the Colorado Golf Club to retain the Solheim Cup. It was a first victory for Europe on American soil.

Europe went into the final day singles with a 10.5 to 5.5 lead, after dominating the Saturday afternoon fourballs by 4-0. They needed just 3.5 points in the singles to retain the trophy.

17-year-old Charley Hull set the ball rolling with a stunning 5&4 win over Paula Creamer. The English teenager made five birdies in just 14 holes to seal the point.

"I wasn't too nervous," said Hull. "It's the way I look at golf. I'm not going to die if I hit a bad shot."

Anna Nordqvist earned a hard-fought half point against British Open winner Stacy Lewis in the top game before Carlotta Ciganda took Europe's points tally to 13 with an excellent win over Morgan Pressel.

A one-hour weather delay halted Europe's progress towards the historic win. But, when play resumed, Caroline Hedwall secured a point against Michelle Wie to make sure the trophy would go back to Europe. The Swede became the first player to win five out of five matches in the Solheim Cup.

Scotland's Catriona Matthew, who had drawn level with Gerina Piller on the 17th, needed to halve the 18th to win the event outright for Europe. She managed it and Europe were victorious.

"I was told coming up the 18th that a half would win it outright, so I was kind of shaking," said the 43-year-old. "To make a five footer at the last and then being able to celebrate with 11 team members and all the other helpers makes it so exciting."

With Matthew securing the victory, the other players were left to battle out for individual pride. Suzann Pettersen, Giula Sergas and Karine Icher gained half points and Jodi Ewart and Beatriz Recari had great wins over Brittany Lincicome and Angela Stanford respectively.

Europe won the singles 7.5-4.5 and took the Cup by 18-10.

Sunday singles scores

Anna Nordqvist halved with Stacy Lewis

Charley Hull beat Paula Creamer by 5&4

Azahara Munoz lost to Brittany Lang by 2&1

Carlota Ciganda beat Morgan Pressel by 4&2

Caroline Hedwall beat Michelle Wie by 1 hole

Catriona Matthew halved with Gerina Piller

Suzann Pettersen halved with Lizette Salas

Giula Sergas halved with Jessica Korda

Caroline Masson lost to Lexi Thompson by 4&3

Jodi Ewart beat Brittany Lincicome by 3&2 Beatriz Recari beat Angela Stanford by 2&1

Karine Icher halved with Cristie Kerr

Note: Player name on match results in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?