Carlota Ciganda stands tall as Europe retain Solheim Cup after dramatic tie with United States

Europe retained the Solheim Cup after a 14-14 tie with United States on a dramatic day at Finca Cortesin.

USA blitzed the opening session to threaten a blowout, but captain Suzann Pettersen’s Europe gradually edged their way back into the contest.

The visiting United States had never lost a Solheim Cup when leading after the first day, and that will remain the case, but the cup will remain in European hands after a first tie in the history of the event.

With the scores level at 8-8 going into the final day, the match pivoted both ways – but went in favour of Europe when Spanish star Carlota Ciganda produced two stunning iron shots on 16 and 17 to take down Nelly Korda.

“I am so happy to do this for Suzann and Spain,” an emotional Ciganda said before being greeted by the king of Spain. “I am so proud.

“I love my team, I love Europe, I love Spain, I love Solheim Cup. I am so happy.”

Lexi Thompson beat Emily Pedersen in the final singles game to ensure the USA tied the match, but the Solheim Cup remains in European hands for at least a sixth year.

Leona Maguire has been a force of nature in Solheim Cups for Europe. She was sent out in the second match against highly rated US rookie Rose Zhang, and the Irish player overwhelmed her younger opponent.

Zhang won the opening hole, but from there it was an exhibition from Maguire who made five birdies and an eagle in a 4&3 victory.

“It is incredible,” Maguire said on Sky Sports. “The amount of Irish fans has been phenomenal, it’s like I’ve been playing at home.

“Suzann gave me a job, I knew it was going to be tough so I’m delighted to get a point on the board.”

Maguire played in all five sessions, and her point gave Europe the lead for the first time at the 2023 Solheim Cup.

Megan Khang was sent out first for USA, and delivered with a 1 Up win over Linn Grant.

Khang won the opening hole and was never reeled in, as well as Grant played. Under immense pressure, the American produced two stunning chip shots on 17 and 18 to secure the win – and guarantee her position as USA’s leading points scorer in 2023.

Charley Hull had been under an injury cloud all week, and was well beaten 4&2 by Danielle Kang to move USA back in front at 10-9 as the match see-sawed.

Anna Nordqvist and Jennifer Kupcho stepped on the first tee striving for form. The play was not good, but victory went to the Swede 2&1 despite going round in level par for 17 holes.

It was Nordqvist’s first victory of the week, and relieved the pressure as she was the first playing vice-captain for Europe at a Solheim Cup.

The scoreboard favoured USA mid-way through the session, but the position on the course was strong for Europe.

Georgia Hall and Gemma Dryburgh missed tiddlers on the 16th and 17th respectively to surrender leads in their matches – as the pendulum went back in favour of USA.

Andrea Lee trailed Hall for most of the day, but was able to scramble a half as the British player faltered coming home.

It was a similar story for Cheyenne Knight, but she won two of the final four holes to battle back from three down to split the point with Dryburgh.

Celine Boutier arrived in Spain as Europe’s in-form player, following a maiden major win at the Evian Championship, but she was below her best and fell 2&1 to Angel Yin.

Europe needed some big names to stand up, and Caroline Hedwall began the shift in momentum. The Swede came into the event with no form and sat out the opening three sessions, was beaten alongside Nordqvist on Saturday afternoon, and found herself three down to Ally Ewing with six to play.

Hedwall found something coming home, as he won five of the final six holes for a 2 Up success.

Rookie Maja Stark produced superb golf to beat Allisen Corpuz to keep Europe in the hunt.

Korda seemed set to win the cup for USA when battling back from three down to Ciganda to draw level with three holes to play.

Roared on by her home Spanish fans, Ciganda drilled an approach on the 16th to five feet to set up a birdie.

She repeated the trick on the 17th and after Korda missed the green and failed with her chip, Ciganda rolled in her birdie putt to retain the title.

“It came down to Carlota in Spain, it was meant to me,” Pettersen said. “It was always coming down to the wire and we knew it.

“I am so proud, they played with their heart. We got off to a rough start, but we do not look back.”

But the celebrations were European, Spanish and Ciganda’s.