By BEN NUCKOLS
GAINESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Lilia Vu’s teammates ran onto the 18th green after her kick-in of a birdie putt gave the United States the half-point it needed to beat Europe, and U.S. captain Stacy Lewis scooped up her 5-year-old daughter, Chesnee, for a bear hug.
Finally, the Solheim Cup was back in the hands of the Americans.
The Americans took a big early lead a year ago in Spain but let the cup slip out of their grasp on the final day as Europe rallied for a 14-14 tie to retain it.
They only had to wait one year for their next chance because of a change in the competition schedule. Then, with the cup nearly in their grasp Sunday at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, they brought a collapse into play during a tense hour-plus when everything went Europe’s way.
“That was the longest hour and a half of my life. I’m not going to lie,” Lewis said. “It just felt like it was never going to end. Just really nerve-wracking. You felt pretty helpless.”
Ultimately it was Vu, the No. 2 player in the women’s world ranking, who delivered a 300-yard drive and a flawless wedge from 103 yards on the par-4 18th hole while 1 down against rookie Albane Valenzuela. Although Vu’s 2-foot putt was a formality, Valenzuela did not concede it, allowing the Americans a proper winning moment.
“This week was kind of hard for me. I felt like I wasn’t physically 100%, and I almost felt guilty taking that spot from someone else,” said Vu, who’s still recovering from a back injury. “Luckily, I have the best team around me.”
The final score: United States 15 1/2, Europe 12 1/2, the biggest margin in this tightrope walk of a team competition since the Americans won by five points seven years ago in Iowa.
The U.S. improved its overall record to 11-7-1 in the Solheim Cup, which began in 1990 with financial backing from Ping golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim and his wife, Louise.
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