Suzann Pettersen justified her controversial wild card in stunning fashion as Europe regained the Solheim Cup in dramatic circumstances at Gleneagles.
Pettersen was chosen by captain Catriona Matthew despite having played just twice since November 2017 before the wild cards were named, since when she had finished 59th in the CP Women's Open and missed the cut in the Cambia Portland Classic.
However, the 38-year-old Norwegian delivered when it mattered by holing from six feet for a winning birdie on the 18th hole of her match with Marina Alex to give Europe victory by 14.5 points to 13.5.
Shot of the day
🇪🇺 EUROPEAN SUPERSTARS 🇪🇺@suzannpettersen for the @2019solheimcup🏆
Incredible scenes, simply incredible. @SolheimCupEuro have won the Solheim Cup. Let the celebrations begin 🙌🏻#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/Rf4IeaBKct
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 15, 2019
There were plenty of stunning shots to choose from on Sunday but the very best has to be Pettersen's winning putt at the 18th. Knowing the United States would retain the Solheim Cup if she missed, the Norwegian nervelessly rolled in from around six feet to secure a dramatic victory.
Social media highlight
🇪🇺🇪🇺 EUROPE WIN THE 2019 SOLHEIM CUP!! 🇪🇺🇪🇺
Unbelievable fight from @SolheimCupEuro to win all three of their final matches 😱🤯
It all led to that moment, best #SolheimCup ever?! pic.twitter.com/Nd1flBc94j
— The 2019 Solheim Cup (@2019solheimcup) September 15, 2019
Quote of the day
Pettersen said: "This is it. This is the last you'll see of me playing the Solheim Cup. I can't do any better, winning the cup with the winning putt." – Whether she means it or not, Pettersen said in the moments after her heroics on the 18th green that she would not play in another Solheim Cup because, let's face it, how do you top that?
Photo of the day
Star performer
Incredible from @brontemaylaw to grind out a VITAL win and put @SolheimCupEuro seconds away from winning!#SolheimCup #ItAllLeadsToThisMoment pic.twitter.com/QNQHFet93u
— The 2019 Solheim Cup (@2019solheimcup) September 15, 2019
It is hard to single anyone out on a triumphant day for Europe but Bronte Law's wonderful comeback victory, which came after she won three holes late on to secure a 2&1 win against Ally McDonald, paved the way for European glory.
What's next?
Stronger together #TeamUSA 🇺🇸💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/te0TvjxMYc
— Solheim Cup Team USA 🇺🇸 (@SolheimCupUSA) September 15, 2019
The United States will bid to regain the Solheim Cup on home soil at Inverness Club in Toledo when the teams meet again in 2021.
