First Two Matches Won By The U.S.: Golf Digest Woman: Golf Digest

First Two Matches Won By The U.S.

Sunday, August 23, 2009 Comments

SUGAR GROVE, ILL.-- Angela Stanford beat Paula Creamer to the punch, but both put full points on the board for the U.S. within a span of 10 minutes. The U.S. now holds the clubhouse lead at 10 points to Europe's 8.

Stanford's 5&4 rout of Becky Brewerton has to be considered an upset, considering the Welshwoman's 2-0 fourball record this week (Stanford came into Sunday with two losses and a halve under her belt), but she had help from her opponent, who never seemed to find her groove today.

Pettersen's struggles against Creamer are detailed below. This has been a tough week for Pettersen, who's played very solid golf despite a bad back, but has struggled with her short putting and, to be fair, has run into some buzzsaws here at Rich Harvest Farms. Her 1-4 record this week doesn't reflect the quality of her play.

Pettersen's coach Pia Nilsson said last night that she's been working with the Norwegian to step up and take over the Solheim Cup team leadership role left vacant by Annika Sorentsam. Perhaps the pressure of that task, coupled with her injury, was just too much for Pettersen to handle.

--Stina Sternberg