When things get competitive things can take on a bit of an edge. And so it’s proved in recent years at the Solheim Cup, with some controversial moments.
2021: RUSH GATE
The 2021 edition will long be remembered for Maguire’s heroics but the contest wasn’t without a very controversial moment which left Swedish star Madelene Sagstrom in tears.
The par-5 13th in the Friday fourballs was the scene, Nelly Korda’s eagle putt stopped just shy of the hole and the ball was swiftly picked up by Sagstrom who had conceded a birdie. However, she was deemed to have picked up the ball too quickly and Korda was given the eagle.
Under Rule 13.3, if any part of the ball is overhanging the lip, the player is allowed a ‘reasonable time’ to reach the hole and then 10 seconds to see if the ball would drop. Despite the arguments of Sagstrom, Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Catriona Matthew that the ball wasn’t going to drop in, Korda and Ally Ewing went on to secure a 1UP win.
2015: GIMME GATE
Current Solheim Cup skipper Pettersen was dealt a double whammy after the USA’s comeback victory in 2015 was marred by controversy.
Pettersen was embroiled in a concession row when she failed to grant Alison Lee an apparent gimmie putt during a fourball encounter. After missing a putt to win the 17th hole, Lee picked up her ball believing the remaining short putt had been conceded, only for Pettersen to claim that she and Charley Hull, who was already walking to the next tee, had not given the go-ahead.
Europe won that match but saw their 10-6 lead disappear on the final day.
2013: CADDIE GATE
Europe won their first ever Solheim Cup on US soil just over a decade ago, but this was one of the more ill-tempered contests in recent memory.
Paula Creamer and Lexi Thompson were level with rookie pairing Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Charley Hull, with Creamer facing a bogey putt which was attempted to be conceded by one of the European caddies on the advice of assistant captain Annika Sorenstam.
A lengthy delay followed while a decision was made as to whether Team Europe should be handed a penalty and although caddies aren’t allowed to give concede holes, no punishment was given. Thompson was then left with a putt for par only for officials to interrupt her.
Thirty minutes later the players left the green after Thompson holed for the win. During the same contest an incorrect ruling allowed Carlota Ciganda to save her par and help Europe to victory in an afternoon fourballs match.
The match was all square with four holes to play with Ciganda opting to take a drop from a water hazard. Again, almost half an hour was needed to work through another rules debacle which resulted in the Spaniard taking a drop from 40 yards behind the point of entry rather than the usual two club lengths. America felt Ciganda gained an unfair advantage and better position considering she was able to hit a full wedge and putt for her par.
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