Solheim Cup 2015: How the past five tournaments were won and lost

There has been a shift in power during the last 10 years of the Solheim Cup, with Europe winning the previous two events after USA claimed three successive victories in 2005, 2007 and 2009. We take a look back at how each of the last five tournaments were won and lost…

2005: USA 15.5 Europe 12.5 – Crooked Stick Golf Club, Indiana, USA

The teams entered the final day tied at 8-8 in what had been the most closely contested Solheim Cup to date.

USA took the initiative with victories in the first five singles matches, before Annika Sorenstam won Europe’s first point of the day and ended with an impressive record of 4-1-0.

But she could only watch on as Meg Mallon defeated Karen Stupples 3 and 1 in the penultimate match as USA reclaimed the trophy.

2007: USA 16 Europe 12 – Halmstad GC, Halmstad, Sweden

Europe headed into the final day with a slender one-point lead, but for the second tournament in succession they were blown away by USA in the singles.

Catriona Matthew briefly extended Europe’s advantage before USA romped into the lead, winning five out of the next six matches; the standout result being debutant Morgan Pressel’s defeat of Annika Sorenstam in the Swede’s final Solheim Cup appearance.

2009: USA 16 Europe 12 – Rich Harvest Farm, Illinois, USA

USA extended their overall Solheim Cup record to 8-3 with another singles-inspired victory over Europe.

As was the case in 2005, both sides were level ahead of the singles matches, which USA dominated once again as the hosts won points in each of the first five encounters.

LPGA newcomer Michelle Wie, a captain’s pick, proved to be the unlikely star of the tournament, ending with three wins from her four matches.

2011: Europe 15 USA 13 – Killeen Castle, County Meath, Ireland

Europe ended a run of three successive defeats in dramatic style, clinching three of the final four holes for a slender two-point win.

USA recovered from 8-5 down to level the score at the end of the second day to set up a tense finale, before moving 1.5 points clear with only four matches to play.

World number two Suzann Petterson birdied her final three holes to lead Europe’s fightback, before Azahara Munoz putted the home side into an unbeatable position in the penultimate match.

2013: Europe 18 USA 10 – Colorado GC, Colorado, USA

Records tumbled for Europe in the most recent edition of the Solheim Cup, who managed to retain the trophy for the first time while also claiming their first victory on US soil; the eight-point winning margin was the largest for either side in the history of the tournament.

Requiring just 3.5 points to retain the trophy, 17-year-old Charley Hull blitzed past Paula Creamer, before Carlota Ciganda’s win and Anna Nordqvist’s half set up a famous result for Liselotte Neumann’s team.

Caroline Hedwall holed the putt to retain the cup, becoming the first player to win all five of her matches, with Caitriona Matthew’s half winning the trophy.

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