2011 Solheim Cup: 3 Things We Learned From Sunday Singles Matches

By (Featured Columnist) on September 25, 2011

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DUNSHAUGHLIN, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 25:  The European team celebrate with the trophy following their 15-13 victory during the singles matches on day three of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 25, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meat
David Cannon/Getty Images

Singles matches are always exciting but not everyday you get to see two squads giving everything with such passion and class as Europe and United States did today at the 2011 Solheim Cup final day.

From injured players to terrible weather conditions, this was by far the most exciting tournament of the year and the best Solheim ever played.

There's No Such Thing as Unbeatable

DUNSHAUGHLIN, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 25:  Catriona Matthew of Europe celebrates winning her match on the 13th green during the singles matches on day three of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 25, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meat
David Cannon/Getty Images

Catriona Matthew did what Laura Davies, Maria Hjorth and Suzann Pettersen couldn't: defeat Paula Creamer.

The Pink Panther had never lost a singles match in the three Solheim Cups she had played on.

But Matthew held her off in-style. She went to halve the first hole and then won six holes to put the score 6&5 giving Europe a valuable point.

There's Always a First Time Even for Veterans

DUNSHAUGHLIN, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 25:  Suzann Pettersen of Europe celebrates on the 18th green during the singles matches on day three of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 25, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, Ireland.  (Phot
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Suzann Pettersen may be world number two and have five Solheim Cup appearances prior to this one, but she had never won a singles match.

The feat wasn't going to be easy at all. Suzann was paired with Michelle Wie, who was playing her second Solheim and had already won in singles against Helen Alfredsson (2009).

The match came down to the last hole. Wie lost her 1-up advantage in 16 and halved 17m she needed to win 18  to give her team some hope.

 Pettersen wasn't about to let that happen and hit a perfect approach shot, leaving herself a birdie chance.

The American couldn't step up and sent her ball straight to the right-side bunker, Suzann took advantage and sank her birdie putt.

Rookies Can Make a Difference

DUNSHAUGHLIN, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 25:  Azahara Munoz of Europe tees off during the singles matches on day three of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 25, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, Ireland.  (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty I
Ian Walton/Getty Images

The rookies showed just how much they can handle pressure and become a key factor in an event like this.

Christel Boeljon, the first Dutch to play the Solheim, surprised five-time LPGA champion Brittany Lincicome and defeated her 2-up.

Caroline Hedwall rescued a match that Ryan O'Toole was winning 2-up until 16. The Swede managed to win 17 and forced another hole of play.

The American faltered with her approach in 18 and sent the ball straight to the rough; Hedwall was safely on the green with a birdie opportunity.

Ryan bogeyed the hole, which resulted in half point for each team and the victory for the European squad.

Azahara Muñoz held off Angela Stanford, and like Hedwall, went to win her last two holes, to give her team another point, even when they had already secured the Cup, for a final 15-13 score.

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