Gainesville, US: Second-ranked Lilia Vu captured the deciding half-point and the United States defeated Europe 15.5-12.5 on Sunday to win the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2017.
The 26-year-old American was two down to Swiss rookie Albane Valenzuela with two holes remaining but birdied to win 17 then dropped her approach inches from the hole at 18 and tapped in for birdie to win the hole and finished tied. That gave the Americans 14.5 points to clinch an overall victory at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club after two losses and a draw against Europe in the past three showdowns.
"This is a dream of mine and so happy that I was able to do that," said Vu, a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants. "It meant the world." The Americans, who lead the all-time rivalry 11-7 with one draw, began Sunday's 12 concluding singles matches with a 10-6 advantage, needing only four wins and a draw to reclaim the Cup.
Despite three early US wins, it became a fight into the late matches. "This is so cool. So stressful to watch.
But just so proud of the players," US captain Stacy Lewis said. "It really could have gone either way. "Just proud of the team and Lilia's finish there was unbelievable.
That's what you expect from one of the best players in the world." Europe failed to match the greatest last-day Solheim comeback, needing to capture eight singles matches on US soil for the first time, and missed the chance to take the trophy for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time. "We gave them a run fo.