Europe trails the United States by four points at the end of the first two days of action at the 2024 Solheim Cup.
After the first day, the U.S. Team led 6-2 and the hosts continued to maintain that advantage on day two at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
Europe secured two points from the morning foursomes and two points from the afternoon four-balls to trail 10-6.
In order for Europe to secure a four-peat and hold onto the prestigious trophy for the fourth time in a row, they would need eight points from the Sunday Singles.
The morning session saw Europe’s points come from Germany’s Esther Henseleit and England’s Charley Hull as they defeated Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho 1-up.
Henseleit knocked her approach shot on 18 within five feet and after the U.S. failed to make an up-and-down from the greenside bunker, Europe secured the 1-up victory.
“Charley played great all day,” said the rookie. “She hardly missed a shot. Yeah, I was glad I could step up in the end and secure this point. Our games are pretty similar, so I feel like we know when the other one is feeling good. We played really solid.”
Europe’s other point from the morning came from Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and France’s Celine Boutier as they clinched a 4 and 3 victory over Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel.
“I never played with Celine before and I absolutely loved it,” said Nordqvist. “I felt like I really needed a point, and it’s nice to see some blue on the board. We’ve just got to keep doing our best. But I had a really fun morning with Celine.”
It was a similar story in the afternoon as the U.S. and Europe each came away from the session with two points – the first time in Solheim Cup history where both sessions ended up tied.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Denmark’s Emily Pedersen battled against Ally Ewing and Lexi Thompson to triumph on the 17th green.
The European duo went into the lead on the 13th and were 2-up through 15 holes, but Thompson then rolled in a birdie on 16.
However, Pedersen stuck her approach shot on 17 – with the Americans conceding the birdie – and the U.S. pair were unable to convert their putts giving Europe another point on the board.
“I think we played amazing golf, morning and afternoon,” said Ciganda. “Obviously it’s really tough to beat the Americans. They were playing some great golf, and with the home crowds, it’s not easy, but I told Emily, let’s wear them out.
“Let’s hit as many greens as we can. The putts are going to drop. I knew. We are just quality. I knew we are really good and I knew we could do it. We just have to believe. I’m just so happy for her because she’s an amazing player, and we did so well.”
The final match of the afternoon session saw English duo and best friends Charley Hull and Georgia Hall defeat Allisen Corpuz and Lilia Vu 2-up.
It was only the second time ever the English duo have played together, they never went behind but they had to play all 18 holes to secure the final point of the day.
Hull said: “We was buzzing because we’re best friends. We know each other inside out. We know what we can and can’t say to each other. Well, there is pretty much nothing we can’t say to each other.
“I was getting Georgia to read my putts. Felt like I was struggling yesterday with a few of my reads. I just know that Georgia is a very, very good green reader, so I trust her with my life for putting, so there you go.”
The Sunday Singles will begin at 8.50 am (local time) with Hull facing off against Nelly Korda in the first match.
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