Golfers in tears as conceded putt controversy ‘tarnishes Solheim Cup’

Players from both teams were in tears after a controversial incident helped holders Europe take a commanding lead over the U.S in the Solheim Cup on Sunday. American rookie Alison Lee missed a birdie putt from 10 feet and picked up her ball thinking the tap-in would be conceded. But her European opponents, Charley Hull and Suzann Pettersen, said that with the match deadlocked going into the final hole, the shot was not conceded and claimed the hole. But after they went on to win the match English star Hull, 19, and 20-year-old Lee were reduced to tears as heated discussions took place around the 18th green.

Disgusted. We have got our best player, Charley Hull, who has just won a point and she is in floods of tears. That tells you the wrong thing was done.

12-time Solheim Cup player Dame Laura Davies

US captain Juli Inkster was overheard to say: “If that’s the way they want to play, let’s go,” with Stacy Lewis adding: “Let’s use this to motivate ourselves,” before leading several of her team-mates in a chant of: “Class, style, U-S-A.” Former players and commentators lined up attack the Europeans for breaking the spirit of the game. Under Solheim Cup rules only the captain can give direct advice to one of her team members. Europe, bidding to win the cup for the third edition in a row, now need only four points from Sunday’s 12 singles to retain the trophy.

This is the way they obviously felt like they had to win. If the Europeans win, it will forever be tarnished.

US golfer Nicole Castrale, two-time Solheim Cup winner

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