Leona Maguire defeated US star Rose Zhang 4 & 3 to deliver a key point as the Solheim Cup ended in a 14-14 tie in Casares, Spain, meaning Europe will retain the trophy for the third year running.
Maguire made five birdies and an eagle to win after just 15 holes. Maguire and Zhang (who earlier this year broke Maguire's record for most weeks ranked amateur world no.1) traded the lead at first but the Irishwoman won four of the first five holes on the back nine, including a near-60 foot eagle putt on the par-4 14th.
LEONA. MAGUIRE. 💥
An emphatic eagle to go 4UP against Rose Zhang
Watch now on @GolfChannel! pic.twitter.com/yOYZPn6XCo— LPGA (@LPGA) September 24, 2023
"It was just incredible," said 28-year-old Maguire, who also played five rounds in her first appearance at the Solheim Cup in 2021.
"Suzann [Pettersen, Europe captain,] made it very clear a couple of months ago that I would be playing five, and I think with the energy of this crowd and everything, I could have played ten."
"The Irish fans this week have just been phenomenal and it felt like I was playing at home and it was just the energy I needed today."
Earlier in the week Maguire also won her two fourball matches, so her overall Solheim record is now won seven, halved one, and lost just two.
It was a nail-biting race for the Cup as the US tried to end their losing streak and the teams were tied 8-8 ahead of Sunday's 12 singles. The lead continued to flip back and forth as each team won five matches the final day with two ties, meaning that Europe retains the Cup, as the US needed an outright win to take it. This is the first Solheim Cup to end in a tie.
It all came down to home favourite Carlota Ciganda, the only Spaniard on the European team, who secured that key 14th point for Europe with birdies on the two closing holes, defeating Nelly Korda 2 & 1. It was her fourth consecutive victory this week (the best record of the tournament) after she was absent from the opening session Friday morning.
"It was a team effort and I'm so proud of everyone," said Ciganda.
"I love the Solheim Cup and I love being in Spain. The cup stays where it belongs."
