A wonderfully executed wedge by American Alison Lee within the Solheim Cup on Saturday has prompted one of many wilder celebrations seen in worldwide golf.
It was sparked by Lee’s capability to ship on a wager which led to caddies Jack Fulghum and Taylor Takada ripping their shirts off and celebrating with glee within the competitors between the USA and Europe.
And reasonably than being outraged by the exuberance of the antics within the prestigious competitors, European captain Suzann Pettersen responded by saying; “Intercourse sells. Go for it.”
Watch each spherical of the PGA Tour LIVE & Unique on Fox Sports activities, out there on Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin Your Free Trial At the moment >
With America attempting to finish Europe’s current dominance within the groups occasion, a wager between caddies Fulghum and Takada and US representatives Lee and Megan Khang was thought of a technique to ease stress.
It has been reported by the Golf Channel’s Kay Cockerill that Fulghum proposed that he and Takada would stump up $500 (A$750) ought to both of the golfers handle to gap out throughout their fourball in opposition to Swedish duo of Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom.
Cockerill reported that Lee instantly countered with an alternate proposal as they have been ready to tee off on the second gap.
“No, if we gap out, you guys (the caddies) take your shirts off,” Lee mentioned.
Not solely did the duo pull off a celebration to recollect, additionally they clinched the four-ball 4&3 to achieve a crucial level for the US, with the stage set for an enthralling closing day in Virginia because the People search to interrupt Europe’s profitable streak of three within the Solheim Cup.
The US began the second day with a 4 level benefit after world No.1 Nelly Korda’s heroics on Friday and maintained the buffer on a tense afternoon on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership to steer 10-6 heading into the final day of competitors.
The primary American to win each opening day outings by at the least three photographs in a contest first performed in 1990, Korda prolonged the US lead when clinching the opening level of the morning in partnership with Allisen Corpuz on Saturday.
They trailed Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant two-down halfway by the spherical however have been in a position to grind one other victory earlier than American captain Stacy Lewis gave her star the afternoon off.
“It’s nice taking part in with Allisen,” Korda mentioned.
“I’ve a lot enjoyable along with her and she or he’s so strong. She mentioned that I performed nice right this moment, however she did, as properly, and we make a very good group, and it’s a lot enjoyable taking part in out right here along with her this week.”
Korda will once more be off first within the 12 singles to complete off the Solheim Cup when she performs English star Charley Hull.
Pettersen, the European captain, believes the vacationers are able to overcoming the deficit with a powerful efficiency within the singles competitors.
A reference level is the 2012 Ryder Cup efficiency when Europe overcame an analogous deficit to drag off the “Miracle at Medinah” by profitable eight matches and halving one other.
“We’re nonetheless in it. We’d like an enormous day tomorrow. We have to go one other report singles sequence once more. It’s been completed earlier than,” Pettersen mentioned.
“There’s hope. Completely. We’ve an opportunity. I’m so immensely proud. 10-6 is do-able. We have to digest right this moment, refresh, recharge.”
Europe retained the Solheim Cup a yr in the past when squaring with the US 14-all in Spain, whereas Europe gained 15-13 in Ohio in 2022 and 14 ½ to 13 ½ at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2019, with the competitors reverting to each even yr from this yr onwards.
America overcame a 10-6 deficit to win the 2015 Solheim Cup in Germany however Lewis, the US skipper, mentioned that the host nation would look to safe early factors as a way to “go get this completed”.
“This was an incredible day for us. It was like while you shoot 62 (on the opening day) and the way you come again. The Europeans performed higher right this moment and it confirmed,” Lewis mentioned.