While Medinah is often cited as perhaps the greatest comeback in golfing history, it should not be forgotten that Team USA produced a fightback every bit as impressive in the Solheim Cup three years later.
Juli Inkster’s side went into the 2015 Solheim Cup with a point to prove. Europe were looking to make it a hat-trick of wins for the first time in the event’s history.
And heading into Sunday’s final session, it appeared that Carin Koch’s team had one hand on the trophy, with Europe leading 10-6 at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Germany.
However, there was an air of controversy about the lead due to how the second fourball session had concluded early on Sunday.
The story of Team USA’s incredible comeback at the 2015 Solheim Cup
The match between Suzann Pettersen and Charley Hull, and Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome was tied with two holes to play. And it appeared that the stalemate was about to continue onto the 18th, with Lee picking her ball up after leaving herself with an 18-inch putt to halve the hole.
While Hull appeared to start her walk to the next tee, Pettersen stood her ground, looking bemused. The Norwegian insisted that Lee’s putt had not been conceded. And thus, Europe won the hole and went in front with one left to play. They would also win the 18th – by which time, tensions were running extremely high.
There appeared to be chaos, with Lee and Hull both in tears. Pettersen initially seemed to have little remorse about her decision. Inkster meanwhile, saw an opportunity to use the sense of injustice to inspire her team with the European pair not taking up the chance to concede the final hole.
It certainly felt as though Europe did not need to win that match that way having opened up a commanding lead. And the incident definitely came back to haunt Koch’s ranks.
Team USA inspired by Suzann Pettersen controversy
The USA won eight of the 12 singles matches, while Lexi Thompson halved her duel with Carlota Ciganda. In fact, Inkster’s side won the last five matches to reach 14.5 points.
Among those late losses for Europe was Pettersen’s 2&1 defeat to Angela Stanford. And when Paula Creamer beat Germany’s own Sandra Gal in the anchor match, the Americans had completed one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.
Dame Laura Davies admitted she was ‘disgusted‘ by how the Europeans had handled the incident. Meanwhile, Pettersen would issue an apology the following day.
Her redemption on the Solheim Cup stage would come four years later when she holed the final putt to win the trophy back for Europe at Gleneagles. It would also prove to be her last shot before retiring from playing.
But in truth, it is hard to not think that she would have won one more Solheim Cup had it not been for the controversy involving Lee.