Lilia Vu of Team USA secured the Solheim Cup for the United States by clinching half a point in her match against Europe’s Albane Valenzuela. The US needed 4-1/2 points from the 12 singles matches, and with wins for Megan Khang, Rose Zhang, Allisen Corpuz, and a half-point each from Andrea Lee and Lauren Coughlin, Vu sealed the victory with only two other matches on the course. Trailing Valenzuela with two holes to play, Vu capped her round with a pair of birdies, including a brilliant approach shot on the last hole to secure the triumph.
The victory marked the Americans’ first win in the biennial match-play competition since 2017 and denied Europe from lifting the Solheim Cup trophy for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time. Despite trailing 10-6 to start the day, Europe mounted a strong comeback, with Charley Hull beating world number one Nelly Korda 6&4 in a dominating performance. The US, however, won three of the next four matches, leading to a tense finale where Europe pulled within 14-11 with three matches left on the course before Vu secured the win for the United States.
The European captain, Suzann Pettersen, admitted that their team gave the US a run for their money and praised their effort in making a comeback despite a poor start. Lexi Thompson and Lauren Coughlin both had chances to secure the winning point for the US but missed crucial putts on the 18th hole, ultimately resulting in a half point each. US captain Stacy Lewis expressed relief at the victory and acknowledged the close nature of the tournament, highlighting the unpredictability of the final moments.
With the US leading the overall Solheim Cup series 11-7-1 and the 2026 edition scheduled to be held at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, fans and players alike are already looking forward to the next chapter of this prestigious competition. The nail-biting finish of the 2023 Solheim Cup showcased the spirit of competition and sportsmanship among the world’s top female golfers. The victory for Team USA and the close margin of victory only add to the anticipation for future editions of the tournament, where rivalries will continue to unfold on the golf course.
