- USA: Beth Daniel front-loaded with some of her best players, then scattered the rest throughout. She tried to put her best putters at the end of the lineup; as it turned out, Pressel and Gulbis were also her shortest hitters, and she expected them to be helped as the long course dried out.
- Europe: Alison Nicholas looked at the USA’s past singles lineups, discussed them with her players, and made her matchups based on some educated guesses.
Match 17: Paula Creamer **3 & 2 vs. Suzann Pettersen
Creamer definitely played her best of the week. Pettersen played better today, but she’s a streaky player and this just wasn’t her week. Neverthless, this was a good match.Match 18: Angela Stanford **5 & 4 vs. Becky Brewerton
A one-sided match. Stanford found her game in time for the singles and earned her first full point of the week. Brewerton never led―surprising, given her great play all week.Match 19: Michelle Wie **1 UP vs. Helen Alfredsson
Wie was up by as many as 3, Alfredsson brought it back to square, and Wie finished it off on the 18th. All-in-all, a very well-played match by both players.Match 20: Brittany Lang **HALVED vs. Laura Davies
This was a crushing loss for the Euros. Davies had this match well-in-hand. 3 up at one point and never worse than all square. This was a horrible week for Davies, who played only 2 matches and lost the other. Kudos to Lang, who never gave up and finally got the crucial half.Match 21: Juli Inkster **HALVED vs. Gwladys Nocera
This was a pure bonus for the USA. Inkster never led until the 17th, but her play on the back nine was easily her best of the week.Match 22: Kristy McPherson vs. Catriona Matthew **3 & 2
Matthew continued her amazing play. I think winning her first major, coupled with being at a good place in her life as wife and mother, may have created a new superstar for the Euros.Match 23: Brittany Lincicome **3 & 2 vs. Sophie Gustafson
This was the battle of the bombers. Lincicome is getting better as she gets in more of these big situations. After a not-so-good Solheim two years ago, she played well under pressure this week and could be a real force in the majors next year if her putting continues to improve.Match 24: Nicole Castrale vs. Diana Luna **3 & 2
Luna is the first Italian to play in the Solheim. This is my first time seeing her play, and she definitely has some game.Match 25: Christina Kim **1 UP vs. Tania Elosegui
When Kim went dormie at 16, she secured a half-point that put the USA at 13 ½ points. It looked like her match might decide the cup, but the Pressel/Nordqvist match finished first with a whole point. Kim was never worse than all square.Match 26: Cristie Kerr **HALVED vs. Maria Hjorth
Kerr was 2 down at one point, but rallied on the back nine to be 1 up on the 18th. Since the Cup had been already determined, she conceded a birdie putt to Hjorth for the half.Match 27: Morgan Pressel **3 & 2 vs. Anna Nordqvist
For those of you keeping track, this is the match that officially guaranteed that the USA retained the Cup and remained undefeated at home. Well-played by both players, but both missed the green and Pressel chipped close enough for a conceded putt. Pressel broke down in tears during the interview afterwards, as did Captain Beth Daniel.Match 28: Natalie Gulbis **HALVED vs. Janice Moodie
With the Cup already decided and the match all square, Gulbis and Moodie agreed to settle for a half. According to the rules, each hit a tee shot off the 18th, then agreed to halve.In the end, the USA retained the Solheim Cup, but the matches were closer than the points might indicate.
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