A fairy tale ending to the 2023 Solheim Cup for Carlota Ciganda
After losing four nil in the opening foursomes Europe managed to go into the singles level on 8-8. Europe Captain Suzanne Petterson done an amazing job in keeping morale positive especially after getting off to a very poor start in the opening foursomes. The conditions changed for the singles at Finca Cortesin due to strong winds. The strong winds made it extremely difficult to shoot a great score in the singles matches.
The first singles match was Linn Grant versus Megan Khang. Grant lost the first hole to Megan Khang. Khang was outstanding today as she shot six under. Khang was successful in retaining her unbeaten singles record. Grant hit an incredible shot out of the bunker to win the 16th but Khang played two exceptional chip shots on both 17th & 18th to win the game.
Leona Maguire went up against Rose Zhang in the singles. The first six holes went back and forth which included Maguire holing three fantastic putts on the second, third and fifth hole. The match went back to 2up for Maguire after Zhang won the 12th hole. Zhang went into the penalty area on the 13th hole and Maguire won the hole with a par. Maguire drove the green on the reachable par four 14th hole and holed an extraordinary putt for eagle to go 4up. Maguire’s record is amazing in the Solheim Cup as she has won 7.5 points out of a possible 10.
The third game was between Charley Hull and Danielle Kang. It was a weird Solheim Cup for Hull which started with an injury then followed up a win in the fourballs 24 hours later. Hull was immediately on the back foot as she lost the first hole. Kang played very solid and Hull wasn’t able to manage a fightback. The match came to an end on the 16th hole as Kang won 4&2.
Game four was Anna Norqvist and Jennifer Kupcho. It was difficult for Nordqvist to concentrate on her game due to also been a vice-captain. Nordqvist went into a commanding lead after she won the 16th hole. The match came to an end on the 17th hole as Nordqvist won 2 &1.
Game five, six and seven was disappointing for Europe as they only achieved one point. Georgia Hall went two up on Andrea Lee on the 14th hole but the English woman missed putts down the stretch and had to settle for a halved match. game six Gemma Dryburgh was in control for the majority of the game until rookie Cheyenne Knight rallied on the back nine. This match went down to the final hole and also ended in a half. Celine Boutier is world number five but had a disappointing Solheim Cup especially in losing her singles match to Angel Yin on the 17th hole.
Caroline Hedwall had to wait until the fourballs on day two to play her first game at Finca Cortesin. Hedwall took on Ally Ewing in the singles. Hedwall held a couple of excellent putts on the back nine to go in front on the 17th hole. Hedwall won the game after holing her birdie putt on the 18th hole to gain a vital point for team Europe. An unbelievable comeback from Hedwall considering she was three down playing the 13th hole.
Lilla Vu showed why she is the number one ranked player as she beat Madelene Sagstrom 4 & 3 in the singles. Europe rookie Maja Stark took on 2023 US Women’s champion Allisen Curpuz. This game was extremely close until Stark hit an exceptional shot on the 17th. Stark guaranteed a massive point for team Europe. The score was 13-13 with just two games left on the course and Europe needing 14 points to retain the Solheim Cup.
Spanish golfer Carlota Ciganda took on world number three Nelly Korda. Ciganda got off to a great start but Kora fought really well to be all square after 15 holes. Ciganda hit an amazing shot to kick in distance on the 16th hole to go 1up. Ciganda followed up her incredible shot at the 16th with a stunner at the 17th to set up a putt to retain the Solheim Cup. that Ciganda holed her putt to win the match and Europe retain the Solheim Cup. Ciganda was incredible all week especially in winning four matches in her home country.
The final game was between Emily Pedersen and Lexi Thompson. Thompson was fantastic considering she had no form coming into the Solheim Cup. Pedersen won the 16th hole and her birdie putt at the 17th lipped the hole. Thompson won the game which meant the 2023 Solheim Cup ended 14-14.
An absolute fantastic finish to the 2023 Solheim Cup. Europe have now won three Solheim Cup’s in a row. Roll on 2024.