Page 27 - Golf Champion Magazine - April 2023
P. 27

After overturning a deficit on the first and second days,
            Europe was trailing until the last minute on this day as well.
            The competition was intense, with the score tied at 2 wins, 1
            tie, and 2 losses after the fifth player. However, Lillya Bogdan
            Madelen Sagstrom (Sweden) secured a 4-hole victory, and
            Angel Yin defeated world-ranked 5th player Celine Boutier
            (France) by 2 holes, tilting the momentum toward the United
            States. With Shaiann Naito drawing with Gemma Dryburgh
            (Scotland), the United States surpassed the 9-point threshold
            for victory with a score of 13 points.
              However, Europe launched a strong comeback. Caroline
            Hedwall (Sweden), who had been trailing by 3 holes until
            the 12th hole against Ally Ewing, won 5 out of the remaining
            6 holes, resulting in a dramatic turnaround, closing the   on the 17th hole, Ciganda’s tee shot landed just a hand’s
            score to 12-13. Carlota Ciganda (Spain), who had displayed   width from the hole, resulting in a 2-hole victory over Korda.
            the most outstanding performance in this Solheim Cup,   With Ciganda’s win, Europe secured the 14-point magic
            brilliantly concluded Europe’s victory.              number required for victory. The moment the victory was
              In the match against Nelly Korda, Ciganda dropped her   confirmed, the final singles match between Emily Kristine
            ball a mere 1 meter from the hole after Korda missed her   Pedersen (Norway) and Lexi Thompson was in progress on
            birdie putt. Seemingly rattled, Korda failed to sink her birdie   the 16th hole. Thompson won the 17th hole with a 2-hole
            putt, while Ciganda made hers, securing a 1-hole lead. Then,   lead but fell short. Timea, the home course, secured four


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