The 2011 PING Junior Solheim Cup ended in a 12-12 tie after a nail biting day-two morning that came down to the final singles matches. As the defending champions, the Americans will retain the rights to the Cup.
Im not sure I can begin to put into words how Im feeling right now, U.S. Captain Meg Mallon said. Today, what I tried to do was to put my energy players out first and my calm putters out last and Id like to think it worked. Its been an unbelievable week and something I will never forget.
The U.S. mounted a steady comeback after falling 5-1 in the morning foursome matches of day one. Afternoon fourball action saw the U.S. earn four points to Europes two, ending the first day 7-5 in Europes favor.
Wednesdays singles matches were the key for the U.S. squad. Jaye Marie Green (2010 Polo Golf Junior Classic champion), started the morning with a win for the U.S. and ended her campaign 2-0-1, the best individual record by an American girl.
Gabriella Then (2011 Rolex Tournament of Champions victor), improved her record to 2-1 on the week after defeating Englands Lauren Taylor, 1-up.
Ashlan Ramsey picked up a half-point in her match with Frances Manon Gidali after coming to the 153-yard par-3 18th hole 1-down. Ramsey hit her tee shot to a foot and holed the putt for a birdie, which kept the U.S. hopes alive.
With tough losses from Mariah Stackhouse and Emma Talley, rookie Summar Roachell and veteran Alison Lee countered and added points from their final match.
Wins by Europes Antonia Scherer and Margaux Vanmol gave Europe 11 ½ points, just one point shy of re-claiming the Cup. Esther Lee defeated Emilie Alonso of France, keeping the U.S. alive and leaving it up to the final two matches of the day.
Karen Chung (2011 Thunderbird International Junior champion) found herself up against Frances Celine Boutier (2011 ANNIKA Invitational champion). After a back-and-forth back nine and a dramatic final three holes, the match ended all square, earning both teams a half-point.
Moments later, Lindsey Weaver sealed the U.S. squads all-important 12th point with a 2 & 1 win over Englands Charley Hull, leaving the U.S. with rights to take the Cup back home.
The result means that the Americans now lead the series 3-2-1. The impressive U.S. come back also brought to an end the sequence which until now had seen the home side win the tournament each time it was played.
Foursomes Scores (Europe names first)
Lauren Taylor and Charley Hull lost to Mariah Stackhouse and Jaye Marie Green, 2&1
Lisa Maguire and Leona Maguire beat Emma Talley and McKenzie Talbert, 1-up
Amy Boulden and Emma Nilsson beat Kyung Kim and Summar Roachell, 4&3
Manon Gidali and Celine Boutier beat Esther Lee and Gabriella Then, 1-up
Emilie Alonso and Luna Sobron beat Lindsey Weaver and Ashlan Ramsay, 2-up
Antonia Scherer and Margaux Vanmol beat Karen Chung and Alison Lee, 4&3
Total Europe 5, USA 1
Fourball Scores
Lisa Maguire and Charley Hull lost to Lindsey Weaver and Mariah Stackhouse, 1-up
Amy Boulden and Emma Nilsson halved with Jaye Maria Green and Ashlan Ramsay
Leona Maguire and Lauren Taylor beat Kyung Kim and Karen Chung, 3&2
Emilie Alonso and Antonia Scherer lost to McKenzie Talbert and Summar Roachell , 2&1
Manon Gidali and Celine Boutier halved with Alison Lee and Esther Lee
Margaux Vanmol and Luna Sabron lost to Gabriella Then and Emma Talley, 3&1
Total Europe 2, USA 4
Total at End of Day 1- Europe 7, USA 5
Singles Scores
Jaye Marie Green (USA) def. Emma Nilsson (SWE), 3&2
Leona Maguire (IRE) def. Mariah Stackhouse (USA), 5&4
Gabriella Then (USA) def. Lauren Taylor (ENG), 1-up
Amy Boulden (WAL) def. Emma Talley (USA), 4&2
Manon Gidali (FRA) halved with Ashlan Ramsey (USA)
Summar Roachell (USA) def. Luna Sobron (ESP), 1-up
Alison Lee (USA) def. Lisa Maguire (IRE), 3&2
Antonia Scherer (GER) def. McKenzie Talbert (USA), 4&2
Margaux Vanmol (BEL) def. Kyung Kim (USA), 3&2
Esther Lee (USA) def. Emilie Alonso (FRA), 1-up
Lindsey Weaver (USA) def. Charley Hull (ENG), 2&1
Celine Boutier (FRA) halved with Karen Chung (USA)
Total Europe 5, USA 7
Final Europe 12, USA 12