Leona Maguire hit out at Europe captain Suzann Pettersen, despite the visitors pushing Team USA to the limit before they won their first Solheim Cup in four matches. A tense Sunday, which once again re-emphasised the Solheim’s propensity to produce high drama as the hosts limped over the line in a 151⁄2-121⁄2 victory, was afforded a sour note by Maguire’s grievance. The Irishwoman arrived here at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club with the best winning percentage on either side, having racked up a remarkable 71⁄2 points from a possible 10 in the previous two Solheim Cups.
But having never been benched before, Pettersen put the former world amateur No 1 on the sidelines for three of the opening four sessions, her one outing being alongside Georgia Hall in defeat in the Friday fourballs. Everyone plays in the Sunday singles and Maguire highlighted her matchplay quality with a 4&3 triumph over Ally Ewing. Then she expressed her disgruntlement.
“I’ve been playing really great golf all week in practice, and it was a bitter pill to swallow to be sat out for as many sessions as I was,” the Irishwoman said. “But I thought I got a point to prove today. She [Pettersen] didn’t give much reason, to be honest.
The feeling I got was that I was a little bit too short and didn’t make enough birdies, but I think I showed today there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and I think I made plenty of birdies today. “Captain’s decision. I’m a team player, and all I could.