Leona Maguire chip-in leads to Solheim Cup momentum shift for Europe

After getting dominated within the morning session 4-to-0, Crew Europe wanted a rally within the afternoon four-ball to make issues aggressive on the Solheim Cup.

Within the opening match of the afternoon, Gemma Dryburgh and Madelene Sagstrom tied Rose Zhang and Megan Khang, thus giving Europe its first factors of the competitors.

Though it was solely a half-point, no less than it was one thing.

However Europe acquired every part they wanted—together with a wave of momentum—within the second match, which pitted Leona Maguire and Georgia Corridor towards Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu.

All of it got here all the way down to the 18th gap, the place the match was all sq.. Thompson confronted a fragile third shot subsequent to the inexperienced whereas Maguire laid three in entrance of it.

Maguire had the honour as she was away.

The Irishwoman chipped in, thus placing all of the strain on Thompson and Vu to attempt to sq. the match with a birdie.

“My third shot spun again [off the green],” Maguire defined. “However it was a very nice chip. Chipping off this Bermuda is kind of tough. I simply needed to get it shut to provide [Hall] an opportunity to have a go on the putt, however good to go one higher.”

With all of the strain on the earth weighing on her shoulders, Thompson then performed her third shot as a 20-handicapper would. She utterly shanked her shot 90 levels, in the end taking her out of the outlet.

Vu then missed her 25-footer for birdie, which sealed the match.

This prevalence gave Europe its first full level of the Solheim Cup, as Maguire’s chip-in reduce the American lead from 4.5-to-1.5.

“The People clearly performed extremely this morning,” Maguire stated Friday night. “I feel we performed properly as properly. There was no actual unhealthy golf on the market. So you must play some actually good golf to win some extent, even a half level, in these matches, and we’ll by no means surrender, and I feel we confirmed that on the market as we speak.”

Picture by Stuart Franklin/Getty Photos

Maguire’s chip-in despatched shockwaves round Finca Cortesín because the Europeans celebrated euphorically.

“I acquired to say, the extent of golf performed this afternoon was unbelievable,” European captain Suzann Pettersen stated.

“It’s a really robust golf course with the situations we had as we speak. I imply, you guys may see it for your self. Placing will not be the simplest factor on these greens with the wind and the strain. To complete off the best way [Maguire] did, she’s made for that, so to say. She circled to me and stated, ‘How would you could have carried out it? And I stated, “Simply the identical.’”

By the top of the day, the Europeans reduce a four-point deficit in half, as they received the afternoon session 3-to-1.

They go into Saturday’s morning foursomes trailing 5-to-3, which is outstanding contemplating how the People performed Friday morning.

However these staff competitions are marathons, not sprints. Something can occur, and one shot can utterly change the outlook of the event.

Maybe Maguire’s chip-in was certainly that second. As for now, it seems that means.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. You’ll want to try @_PlayingThrough too.