Solheim Cup: Friday Foursomes (Alternate Shot)

US Captain Beth Daniel chose (1) to play everybody the first day, and (2) not to make anybody play all five matches, so some of the hot players this morning didn’t play this afternoon. On the Euro team, only Italian rookie Diana Luna didn’t play today.

Match 5: Christina Kim/Natalie Gulbis **4 & 2 vs. Suzann Pettersen/Sophie Gustafson

Kim missed out on the last Solheim Cup, and Gulbis missed out on the last Women’s US Open; I guess they took their frustration out on the Euros, as the two led from the first hole. It has been rough for Europe today, as their powerhouse team was beaten twice.

Match 6: Angela Stanford/Nicole Castrale vs. Becky Brewerton/Gwladys Nocera **3 & 1

Becky Brewerton had to feel that this afternoon was owed to her, after the way things when in the morning round. The US team struggled to hit fairways and greens, and the Euros never really struggled at all.

Match 7: Kristy McPherson/Brittany Lincicome UP vs. Maria Hjorth/Anna Nordqvist **3 & 2

Kristy McPherson played hard today and Brittany continued to play well, but Maria Hjorth seemed to figure out her problems from the morning match and Nordqvist showed why she’s the 2009 McDonald’s LPGA Championship winner. For most of the afternoon, this match could have gone either way. It got a little sloppy for both teams at the end, but the Euros should be really proud of this win.

Match 8: Paula Creamer/Juli Inkster **2 & 1 vs. Catriona Matthew/Janice Moodie

Janice Moodie’s putter was stone cold today; it could have been a very different story otherwise. As it was, the all-Scot team made a run late in the match and nearly pulled it off. The team of Creamer and Inkster always seem to play well together, no matter how badly their individual games may appear to be.

I’m sure the Euros really missed Annika today; she and Suzann Petterson have traditionally been the power duo for the Euros. The score after the afternoon matches:
USA 4 1/2, Europe 3 1/2