2015 Solheim Cup Comeback Sunday!
I’m still puzzling about the drama that unfolded on Sunday morning on the 17th hole of the Suzann Pettersen-Charley Hull v Alison Lee-Brittany Lincicome fourball match.
For those who didn’t see it unfold, Lee missed a birdie putt to win the hole and the match. Pettersen walked off the green and Hull turned to follow her. Lee, who thought she’d heard a concession, picked up her ball and Pettersen then called a rules infraction, saying the putt had not been conceded.
The subsequent ruling in favor of the Europeans left both Alison Lee and Charley Hull in tears.
Sky Sports asked 12-time Solheim Cup legend, Dame Laura Davies, how she felt about the situation. Davies minced no words.
"Disgusted. We have got our best player, Charley Hull, who has just won a point and she is in floods of tears. That tells you the wrong thing was done."
Davies made very clear the line between fierce competition and unfair play as she focussed on Pettersen’s behavior.
"How Suzann can justify that I will never, ever know. We are all fierce competitors but ultimately it’s unfair. We have to play week in, week out together and you do not do something like that to a fellow pro."
Nicole Castrale, who played on winning American Solheim Cup teams in 2007 and 2009 and who was commentating for Sky Sports, looked beyond Pettersen and felt the whole of the European management apparatus failed to uphold the basic tenants of good sportsmanship.
"Never mind what Suzann did, how about Carin Koch, Annika Sorenstam, Sophie Gustafson or Maria McBride. They all had the chance to make this right and none of them stepped up to the plate."
I find the situation an unfortunate blemish on a competition and a game I cherish because both are grounded in such deep respect for the opponent and honorable conduct. To win a golf match through manipulation and subterfuge is not to win at all.
Next: 2015 Solheim Cup Saturday Hangover
Sunday comebacks at the Solheim Cup are rare but with 12 points at stake, just about anything can happen during the singles matches.