The United States and Europe are level at 8-8 following an intense second day at the Solheim Cup, highlighted by Jennifer Kupcho’s phenomenal finish that prevented Europe from taking the lead. Europe faced challenges as Charley Hull and newcomer Lottie Woad struggled to make a significant impact. The English duo was defeated in both of their Saturday matches, suffering a heavy 6&5 loss to Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin during the morning session and narrowly losing on the final hole to Yealimi Noh and Andrea Lee in the afternoon.
Despite these setbacks, Europe gained ground in the morning’s foursomes. Maja Stark and Linn Grant scored a notable victory over Allisen Corpuz and world number one Nelly Korda, while Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit added another point for Europe by defeating Kupcho and Rose Zhang. Rookies Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud also delivered an impressive performance, securing a win for their team.
The afternoon fourballs were filled with tension. Noh and Andrea Lee emerged victorious against Hull and Woad, while Kim and Zhang clinched another win for the United States. As the day progressed, Europe seemed poised to gain the upper hand when Carlota Ciganda and Céline Boutier established a two-hole lead over Kupcho and Lindy Duncan.
However, Kupcho dramatically altered the course of the match with an exceptional 90-foot shot from off the green on the 17th hole, followed by a 30-foot birdie on the final hole. This remarkable finish secured a crucial point for the United States, leaving both teams tied at 8-8.
Heading into the final day, the United States needs six points to retain the trophy, while Europe requires 6.5 points to reclaim it. With 12 matches remaining, the momentum appears to have shifted in favor of the defending champions.