History was made at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia today as Team USA recorded the biggest margin of victory in PING Junior Solheim Cup history.
Leading Gwladys Nocera’s European side 8-4 prior to the singles matches, the home side, captained by Beth Daniel, won 10 of their 12 singles ties to triumph 18.5-5.5.
Elizabeth Rudisell got the ball rolling in Virginia winning her side’s first point of the day when she defeated Spain’s Andrea Revuelta 3&2.
A sea of red soon pervaded the leaderboard as Natalie Yen, Anna Fang, and Madison Messimer all picked up convincing victories to leave USA needing just 0.5 point.
The crucial result then came from Jude Lee – star of Monday foursomes – who defeated Iceland’s Perla Sol Sigurbrandsdottir 5&4.
“It’s just been so amazing to be able to play with the best girls,” Lee said. “It’s incredible. There was a lot of golf played out there and it’s been a week we will never forget.”
The biggest previous margin of victory came in the inaugural match in 2002 when USA prevailed 17-7.
The home side also hoisted the trophy for the first time since 2019 and extended the overall series record to 9-4.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Daniel said: “My team was amazing. It’s their victory. They gutted it out. They all wanted to win. I really think the difference might have been the fact that we were at our nation’s capital!”
Her counterpart, 14-time Ladies European Tour winner Nocera from France, said: “The USA played unbelievable golf. They have a very strong team. We beat them last time so they came with a good revenge. We will be ready again in two years’ time.”
The full Tuesday singles results were as follows:
- Asterisk Talley and Lily Reitter of France A/S.
- Elizabeth Rudisill defeated Andrea Revuelta of Spain, 3&2.
- Avery McCrery defeated Louise Uma Landgraf of France, 2&1.
- Mia Hammond defeated Sara Brentcheneff of France, 1 UP.
- Natalie Yen defeated Alice Kong of France, 3&1.
- Anna Fang defeated Benedicte Brent-Buchholz Denmark, 3&2.
- Madison Messimer defeated Havanna Torstensson of Sweden, 5&4.
- Jude Lee defeated Perla Sola Sigurbrandsdottir of Iceland, 5&4.
- Gianna Clemente defeated Paris Appendino of Italy, 5&4.
- Scarlett Schremmer defeated Molly Ralin of Sweden, 3&2.
- Sofia Cherif Essakali defeated Victoria Kristensen of Denmark, 4&3.
- Martina Navarro Navarro of Spain defeated Nikki Oh, 2&1.
In two years time, the PING Junior Solheim Cup – along with its parent Solheim Cup competition – will travel to the Netherlands for the first time ever. Europe will expect several of its stars from 2024 to be in the squad once again, fighting to regain the trophy.
