Europe Foursomes Clean Sweep

It was a clean sweep for the Swedes as Europe snatched a 2 ½ - 1 ½ victory in the second day foursomes and moved two points ahead in the bid to regain The Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Ireland.

Needing 14 ½ points for victory, the Europeans lead 7-5 with 16 points still to be decided. Still a long way to go, but Alison Nicholas’s team were in buoyant mood.

It’s been a dream Solheim debut for Caroline Hedwall, the ‘baby’ of the European team and a three-time winner in her first year as a professional.

She partnered Sophie Gustafson to a 5 and 4 win in the Friday fourballs and the Swedish duo again hit form to trounce Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford 6 and 5 in the top foursome.

In the third match, another all-Swedish partnership of Anna Nordqvist and Maria Hjorth beat Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster 3 and 2.

Europe’s half point came in a thrilling bottom match. One down playing the last, Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz won the hole when Cristie Kerr bunkered the American’s approach shot and then failed to make the seven foot par putt.

“It’s so exciting it’s unbelievable,” said 22-year-old Hedwall, who has her twin sister, Jacqueline, as her caddie. “Sophie is so confident and calm and that makes me the same and she is so easy to play with.”

Jacqueline managed to get time off from her studies at Louisiana State University to be part of the European set-up this week – she intends trying to qualify for the Ladies’ European Tour at the 2012 qualifying school. 

“I love to caddie for my sister, especially this week,” she said. “The atmosphere and the fans are just awesome.”

RESULTS

DAY ONE RESULTS – Friday 23rd September

Foursomes (Europe names first):

Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist lost to Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr 2 and 1

Karen Stupples and Melissa Reid lost to Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome one

hole

Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz beat Stacy Lewis and Angela Stanford 3 and 2

Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson beat Brittany Lang and Juli Inkster one hole

Europe USA 2-2

Fourballs (Europe names first)

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid lost to Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel one hole

Catriona Matthew and Sandra Gal halved with Christina Kim and Ryann O’Toole

Sophie Gustafson and Caroline Hedwall beat Vicky Hurst and Brittany Lincicome 5 and 4

Suzann Pettersen and Anna Nordqvist beat Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie two holes

Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Overall score: Europe 4 ½ USA 3 ½

DAY TWO RESULTS – Saturday 24th September

Foursomes (Europe names first):

Caroline Hedwall and Sophie Gustafson beat Angela Stanford and Stacy Lewis 6 and 5

Karen Stupples and Christel Boeljon lost to Morgan Pressel and Ryann O’Toole 3 and 2

Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist beat Brittany Lang and Juki Inkster 3 and 2

Catriona Matthew and Azahara Munoz halved with Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer

Europe 2 ½ USA 1 ½

Overall score: Europe 7 USA 5

Fourballs draw:

Laura Davies and Melissa Reid v Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie

Suzann Pettersen and Caroline Hedwall v Morgan Pressel and Cristie Kerr

Sandra Gal and Christel Boeljon v Stacy Lewis and Ryann O’Toole

Maria Hjorth and Azahara Munoz v Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome