The United States and Europe are neck and neck at 8-8 after a thrilling second day of the Solheim Cup, thanks in large part to a sensational finish by Jennifer Kupcho. Kupcho’s performance helped the U.S. avoid falling behind, as she delivered a stunning 90-foot shot from off the green on the 17th hole and followed it up with a 30-foot birdie on the final hole. This remarkable turnaround ensured that the teams remained tied, adding intensity to the upcoming final day.
Europe faced difficulties with key players Charley Hull and newcomer Lottie Woad, who failed to secure wins in both of their Saturday matches. They suffered a significant 6&5 loss to Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin in the morning, followed by a narrow defeat to Yealimi Noh and Andrea Lee in the afternoon. Despite these setbacks, Europe managed to make strides during the morning foursomes.
In the morning session, Maja Stark and Linn Grant notched a victory against Allisen Corpuz and world No. 1 Nelly Korda. Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit added another point for Europe by defeating Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang. Additionally, rookies Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud impressed with their performance, securing a win.
The afternoon fourballs saw a tense battle unfold. Noh and Andrea Lee’s win over Hull and Woad, along with Kim and Zhang’s victory, added crucial points for the U.S. Europe seemed poised to take the overall lead when Carlota Ciganda and Céline Boutier held a two-hole advantage over Kupcho and Lindy Duncan. However, Kupcho’s late heroics changed the course of the match, keeping the U.S. firmly in the competition.
As the tournament heads into its final day with 12 matches remaining, the United States needs six points to retain the trophy, while Europe requires 6.5 points to reclaim it. The momentum now leans toward the defending champions, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the Solheim Cup.