USA regain Solheim Cup 15.5-12.5

There was a great end of order fight back for Europe, but it wasn't enough to stop America from regaining the Solheim Cup 15.5-12.5 at Crooked Stick GC in Carmel, Indiana.

The sides went into the final 12 singles tied at 8-all and the home team looked set to sweep to a comfortable win when they won five of the first six matches with ease and added another point from rookie Natalie Gulbis.

But the extra half point for the necessary 14.5 winning total took a while to be secured. After Catriona Matthew, Carin Koch and super rookie Gwladys Nocera had won their matches, Meg Mallon eventually clinched the deal with a 3 and 1 win over England 's Karen Stupples.

Europe had done exceedingly well to keep the home side in check for the first two days, but the strong Americans, backed by the home crowd, took charge early in the singles matches.

Teenage sensation Paula Creamer set the tone on the early final day spree with a superb performance against Laura Davies.

She packed seven birdies into 13 holes for a comprehensive 7 and 5 victory. Davies didn't play badly, but she just ran into a superstar in form.

Laura Diaz - in a battle between the two pregnant players - scored a 5 and 4 win over Iben Tinning and then Juli Inkster won a vital point in the top match. One down with six to play against Sophie Gustafson, she turned the tables by winning the next three holes, the 13th and 15th with birdies, on her way to a 2 and 1 victory. 

Christina Kim maintained the momentum by beating Ludivine Kreutz 5 and 4 and Pat Hurst made it five wins without replay after a comeback 2 and 1 triumph over Trish Johnson.

Annika Sorenstam provided a break for the Europeans with a 4 and 3 win over Beth Daniel in the sixth match and, not surprisingly, the world No.1 emerged as the leading points scorer with four wins from five matches.

But even Sorenstam couldn't stem the tide and Natalie Gulbis made it six points for the US with a 3 and 1 win over Maria Hjorth, clearing the way for Mallon to claim the most honourable of roles.

But she had to wait for Matthew to beat Wendy Ward 3 and 2, Koch to edge out Michel Redman 2 and 1 and brave Nocera to eclipse American No.1 Cristie Kerr by 2 and 1 before Mallon had her chance.

Having gone three up with five to play, and only needing a half point against Stupples, it was over when the eight-time Solheim player halved the 16th to go dormie two up.

With the match over, Suzann Pettersen made sure of retaining her unbeaten record with a halved match against Rosie Jones.

For Europe, it was a great effort - and everyone is already looking forward to trying to get the Cup back at Halmstad in Sweden in two years' time.

Singles results (US first):

Juli Inkster beat Sophie Gustafson 2 and 1; Paula Creamer beat Laura Davies

7 and 5; Pat Hurst beat Trish Johnson 2 and 1; Laura Diaz beat Iben Tinning

6 and 5; Christina Kim beat Ludivine Kreutz 5 and 4; Beth Daniel lost to Annika Sorenstam 4 and 3; Natalie Gulbis beat Maria Hjorth 3 and 1; Wendy Ward lost to Catriona Matthew 3 and 2; Michele Redman lost to Carin Koch 2 and 1; Cristie Kerr lost to Gwladys Nocera 2 and 1; Meg Mallon beat Karen Stupples 3 and 1; Rosie Jones halved with Suzann Pettersen

Score: USA 7.5 Europe 4.5

Final score USA 15.5 Europe 12.5

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