As Team USA holds a 10-6 lead heading into Sunday singles at the Solheim Cup, the Europeans are not counting themselves out just yet. Carlota Ciganda of Team Europe made a bold claim after earning the first point of the afternoon session, stating that they could win all 12 points. She alluded to the 2012 Ryder Cup, where the European team made a historic comeback from a 10-6 deficit to beat the Americans. The 2015 Solheim Cup also saw a 10-6 comeback on the final day, showing that anything is possible in match play scenarios.
Team Europe captain Suzann Petersen expressed optimism despite the deficit, stating that they would need a massive day and a record singles performance to come back against Team USA. The Americans started the event with a historic six out of eight points on the first day, building the largest lead in Solheim Cup history. Stacy Lewis, the captain of Team USA, highlighted the importance of maintaining their lead and praised her team’s ability to handle tough matchups and unpredictable play.
The Americans have dominated the competition not just in points but in blowout fashion, with nine out of their 10 points coming from lopsided victories. Nelly Korda, the top-ranked player in the world, has led the charge with three points, but other American players like local favorite Lauren Coughlin and Rose Zhang have also stepped up with impressive performances. Despite the European team’s top players struggling to earn points, they remain within striking distance of Team USA based on overall performance.
Team Europe captain Petersen acknowledged that her team has struggled on the greens all week, hindering their ability to gain momentum. However, she remains hopeful that they can still make a comeback and potentially retain the Cup for another two years. The Americans are confident in their position but understand the unpredictable nature of match play, especially in the high-pressure environment of the Solheim Cup. The final day of competition will determine whether Team USA can maintain their lead or if Team Europe can pull off a miraculous comeback reminiscent of past Ryder and Solheim Cup events.
