The Scot grew to become the primary European captain to win the competitors twice — and given how a lot of an underdog her staff had been coming into the competitors, the 52-year-old was clearly delighted afterwards, though she did admit that it will be her final Solheim Cup.
“It is over to another person now. I believe — we’ve got so many good previous gamers, and I believe everybody deserves their probability to be captain,” Matthew instructed the media afterwards.
“I believe to be a part of the Solheim, I used to be fortunate sufficient to play in 9 and I’ve captained two, and I’ve had a implausible time. It is the most effective week I’ve had each two years, and to have been concerned with it now for over 20 years, I am certain I will be there watching, but it surely’s another person’s flip.”
Right down to the wire
Getting into Monday’s last day of play, the European staff had a 9-7 benefit over their host, needing simply 5 factors to document a memorable victory.
And the day of singles matches could not have began higher for the guests, successful the primary three factors to increase their lead.
Nevertheless, Staff USA got here roaring again, successful factors from the next 5 matches to cut back the deficit to 2 with 4 video games nonetheless on the course.
However dealing with powerful opposition in a hostile surroundings — there have been 130,000 followers on the course in Toledo — Castren was capable of maintain her nerve to silence the house spectators and declare Europe’s second ever Solheim Cup victory on US soil.
Simply six weeks in the past, she received the 2021 Gant Women Open in her native Finland to earn Women European Tour membership. And now, she’s a Solheim Cup winner.
“It is arduous to place it into phrases proper now. I believe I am nonetheless shaking,” an emotional Castren mentioned. “I simply knew I used to be trying on the board and I knew it was going to be an essential putt, and I needed to make it. Me and (caddie) Mikey (Patterson) learn it and we learn it completely and it went in.
“I am simply so pleased proper now, and I am unsure what the ultimate scores are, however I am simply… Yeah, numerous feelings proper now.”
Acting on the largest stage
It was one other rookie, nevertheless, who stole the present over the weekend.
Eire’s Leona Maguire, the primary Irishwoman to play within the occasion, by no means regarded fazed at any level through the competition of ladies’s golf in Ohio.
After her decisive 5&4 win over beforehand unbeaten US rookie Jennifer Kupcho, the 26-year-old completed because the event’s top-scorer with four-and-a-half factors from her 5 matches.
A quick begin on Monday helped Maguire keep her unbeaten debut on the Solheim Cup.
“Simply needed to place strain on Jen from the get-go. She’s an outstanding participant; we have performed many occasions earlier than, and I knew I might must have my ‘A’ recreation right this moment, and fortuitously, there was nonetheless some vitality left in my legs and I used to be capable of get it performed.”
Staff Europe captain Matthew praised Maguire afterwards, while additionally commending her staff’s unity.
“This staff, we’re all the time one staff and we win as a staff or we lose as a staff. It is powerful to select people. I believe all of them performed fantastically nicely, so we’re all one staff.”
‘Low blow … be higher … you are higher’
Whereas the usual of golf dazzled, it would not be a Solheim Cup with out some controversy.
Placing for eagle on Saturday, Nelly Korda’s putt completed agonizingly near the opening. The American sunk to her knees in frustration whereas her opponent, Madelene Sagstrom, threw the ball again to her.
She despatched one other tweet shortly afterwards seemingly referencing the incident, saying: “A lot hate on Twitter. Look within the mirror and ask your self in case you’d communicate to your family members the way in which you communicate to us. Suppose twice earlier than you tweet. And cease hiding as a result of we will see you.”
