The United States reclaimed the Solheim Cup for the first time in seven years with a 15 ½ – 12 ½ win against the Europeans on Sunday at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.
Lilia Vu, who trailed 2-0 with two holes to go, sealed the victory for the Americans, holing an incredible approach shot from just yards away on the par-4 18th hole before sinking a birdie putt to secure the deciding half-point. European Albane Valenzuela had a chance to extend the match but missed her 30-foot birdie putt, setting the stage for Vu’s heroics.
“I can’t even put it into words,” Vu said after the game. “I felt like I didn’t do my part this week and I wanted to do something. I told my caddie on 16, I felt like I didn’t do anything for this team, and then 16 comes around, and I’m in the back bunker.
“I was like, ‘Oh no, I have to make an up-and-down,’ and she one-putted almost every green, so I thought she was going to birdie that hole too. She didn’t, and I ended up making an up-and-down from the bunker and I birdied 17 and I birdied 18 to get the half point.”
The American team dominated all weekend in its quest to reclaim the Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
Team USA last won the Solheim Cup in 2017, with Europe winning in 2019 and 2021 before retaining the trophy in 2023 when the teams tied 14-14.
The United States took a massive 6-2 lead after the first day of golf, a record advantage. World number one Nelly Korda led the US challenge, winning both of her matches, allowing the US to underline its dominance.
As Europe looked to strike back on Day 2, Team USA consistently prevented the Europeans from overcoming their deficit and held on to their 10-6 lead after Day 2.
Europe began the third day needing to repeat the miracle of Medina from the 2012 Ryder Cup, the men’s equivalent of the Solheim Cup.
In that tournament, Europe also trailed by four points heading into the third day, but managed to come back to secure a historic 14.5–13.5 victory, winning eight and drawing once in the twelve singles matches.
Although Britain’s Charley Hull played a remarkable round of golf to defeat Korda in the opening singles match and kick-start a European comeback, it was ultimately too little, too late.
American players Megan Khang, Rose Zhang and Allisen Corpuz all won their matches on Sunday, while Andrea Lee, Lauren Coughlin and Vu earned half-points to secure the victory for the Americans.
CNN’s Homero De la Fuente contributed to this report
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