It wasn't nerves, but slow greens and missed putts that cost the U.S. team at the Solheim Cup, analyzes Captain Angela Stanford after the narrow 15-13 defeat to Europe. A bitter pill for the Americans, who had to fight hard to reclaim the trophy from the Europeans.
On Saturday evening, it still looked like a real momentum swing: Jennifer Kupcho played a stellar round, holing putts from about 37 meters (120 feet) on holes 17 and 18, which leveled the match at 8-8. It was a moment that brought fans to their feet, and everyone thought the momentum had shifted for the US women. However, the conditions had not been factored in.
When the Ball Doesn't Roll: Greens as a Game Changer
Stanford expressed surprise at the slow greens at Bernardus Golf Club. Even a visit in July couldn't prepare her for the speed deficit. “We don’t usually play on such slow greens,” she admitted. This unaccustomed speed seemed to pose a significant challenge for the Americans, while Europe performed very strongly on this terrain and simply holed the important putts better. Ultimately, it was the Europeans' putting prowess that secured their victory.
Captain Takes Responsibility
Despite the circumstances, Stanford took responsibility. She admitted she should have better prepared her players for the altered conditions. Nevertheless, she defended her team, firmly believed in all twelve golfers, and would not change any of her lineup decisions. At the end of the day, she paid full respect to the Europeans: It was they who played better under pressure.
