In a thrilling showdown at Gainesville, Virginia, Lilia Vu secured the Solheim Cup for the USA on Sunday, delivering the crucial half-point needed to reach the 14-1/2 target required to reclaim the prestigious trophy.
The American team excelled in the singles matches, with standout performances from Megan Khang, Rose Zhang, Allisen Corpuz, Andrea Lee, and Lauren Coughlin. Their collective efforts set the stage for Vu, who sealed the victory despite Europe mounting a fierce comeback on the final day.
\"I mean, this has been everything. I have a picture of the U.S team winning the Solheim Cup a while back, so it's on my wall in my room,\" Vu remarked. \"So this is a dream of mine, and I'm so happy that I was able to do that for them.\"
Trailing by two holes with two to play, Vu showcased remarkable composure by sinking a pair of birdies, including a stunning tap-in after a brilliant approach shot, securing the win for the USA.
This victory marks America's first Solheim Cup win since 2017, halting Europe's streak of three consecutive titles.
The competition was intense from the start, with Europe making a strong push after initially trailing 10-6. England's Charley Hull delivered an impressive performance, defeating world number one Nelly Korda 6&2. However, the USA's resilience shone through as they won three of the next four matches, ultimately overcoming Europe's determined efforts.
European captain Suzann Pettersen acknowledged the tight race, stating, \"We gave them a run for their money. I don't think anyone expected us to be here at 2:30 and to still have a chance.\"
Lexi Thompson, playing in her seventh Solheim Cup, had a chance to secure the winning point but missed a crucial birdie putt, while Lauren Coughlin also fell short, resulting in a half-point that ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the USA.
USA captain Stacy Lewis expressed her joy, saying, \"It really could have gone either way. It's crazy at the end how it all unfolded. I was just hoping and praying it went our way.\"
The USA now leads the overall Solheim Cup series 11-7-1, with the next edition scheduled for 2026 at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
