Monday 21 September 2015 10:49, UK
European Solheim Cup stalwart Suzann Pettersen has defended herself after becoming embroiled in a hugely controversial incident on Sunday morning.
However, the enthralling finish was somewhat overshadowed by an incident which occurred when Saturday's fourballs were being finished the next morning.
World No 8 Pettersen and youngster Charley Hull were playing rookie Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome, and controversy erupted when Lee picked up her ball at 17, believing her 16-inch putt had been conceded.
That turned out not to be the case and the referee awarded the hole to Europe, who went on to win the match by two holes.
The Americans were furious about the incident and Lee, 20, and Hull were both in tears on the 18th green at the end of the match.
I've never been more quiet in my life after seeing her first putt. We didn't say a word and unfortunately she picked up.
But the Europeans insisted that there was no reason for Lee to think the putt on 17 had been given.
When asked if she would do the same thing again in the future, Pettersen, who was playing in her eighth Solheim Cup, said: "Totally, we are all trying to win.
"It was very clear from Charley and me that we wanted to see the putt [played].
"I've never been more quiet in my life after seeing her first putt. We didn't say a word and unfortunately she picked up."
Many experts felt the American stance was backed up by the fact that Hull appeared to be walking away to the next tee, suggesting she was not expecting Lee to have to putt again.
But the 19-year-old, who was outstanding for the second Solheim Cup in a row, said that was not the case and backed up Pettersen.
"I was walking over to Suzann to discuss whether or not to give the putt and then I turned around and Alison picked up," said Hull.
"A few people are saying I was walking off the green. If they watch again, I was talking to Suzann."
Despite the controversy and the European defeat, Pettersen managed to summon a smile at the end of a long weekend.
"I have a lot more followers on Twitter than I had when I teed up this morning," she laughed.
