Although she was away from the game for almost two years after the birth of her son, Suzann Pettersen – who was originally an assistant captain but turned into a vital captain’s pick – nailed a pressure-packed birdie on the 18th hole Sunday to win her match against American Marina Alex, and give the European side back the Solheim Cup.

Europe won three of the first four matches on Sunday before the momentum switched firmly to the American side, which won four of the next five matches. The second of those five matches was halved – between Megan Khang and Charley Hull.

Late in the day it appeared the Americans would win the Solheim Cup – or it at least would end in a tie, meaning the Americans would retain it – but as is the case with match play, nothing was a sure thing until the final putt dropped.

The last match of the day was between Anna Nordqvist and Morgan Pressel, but Nordqvist steamrolled the American captain’s pick 4 & 3.

That left a pair of rookies – Bronte Law and Ally McDonald – squaring off, along with Pettersen and Alex still on the course.

Law nailed a no-doubter birdie late to top McDonald, who was a last-minute addition to the American squad after Stacy Lewis withdrew from the competition early in the week due to a back injury.

The stage was then set for Pettersen, and the veteran did not disappoint.

Her approach shot on the 18th nearly found the bottom of the cup, and after Alex missed her birdie try, Pettersen rolled her putt right in and she let out a scream of emotion as the cup went back to Europe.

After American captain Juli Inkster led her team to back-to-back Solheim Cup titles (including the first on European soil in more than a decade) she was trying to, at the beginning of the week, become the first captain to lead her team to three wins.

It was not to be on this day, however. Europe took six-and-a-half of the 12 available singles points on Sunday to win the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2013.

Although there were certainly some bright spots by the American side – rookie Nelly Korda, for example, went undefeated. Not to be outdone, sister Jessica also was undefeated – in the end the European side’s passion and dogged determination at Gleneagles was too much to overcome.

While the momentum shifted back and forth all day, the steady presence of Europe’s veterans including Pettersen and Nordqvist – buoyed by the sparkplug of a rookie in Law – helped snatch the Solheim Cup away from the Americans.

Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall were the leading point-getters for Europe, who both went 4-0-0.

Although she started as a controversial captain’s pick – with questions surrounding her preparedness and whether a younger golfer should have been given a shot – Pettersen was the hero once again.

“Unbelievable,” said European captain Catroina Matthew, “there has never been a better moment.”

The next Solheim Cup will be played at the fame Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio in 2021.

Singles Results

Carlota Ciganda def. Danielle Kang 1-up
Nelly Korda def. Caroline Hedwall 2-up
Georgia Hall def. Lexi Thompson 2&1
Celine Boutier def. Annie Park 2&1
Angel Yin def. Azahara Munoz 2&1
Charley Hull All-Square Megan Kang
Lizette Salas def. Anne van Dam 1-up
Jessica Korda def. Caroline Masson 3&2
Brittany Altomare def. Jodi Ewart Shadoff 5&4
Suzann Pettersen def. Marina Alex 1-up
Bronte Law def. Ally Mcdonald 2&1
Anna Norqvist def. Morgan Pressel 4&3