Solheim Cup: Hull and Woad flop for Europe as Kupcho pulls USA level

It has been the great anomaly of this Solheim Cup. Europe keeping perfect pace with the United States is an impressive achievement even without the meagre points contribution from Charley Hull and Lottie Woad is factored in. European hopes of reclaiming the trophy lost to the United States two years ago surely depend heavily on their star turns finding singles form.

The heroics of Jennifer Kupcho in fading light dashed Europe’s ambitions of taking a lead. It is 8-8 as things stand. A 12-match shoot-out remains.

Anna Nordqvist’s deployment of Hull and Woad as a pairing on Saturday morning has to be considered odd. The duo had claimed half a point from three previous outings. Hull does not look particularly suited to foursomes. Woad is a Solheim Cup debutant. Nordqvist, it appeared, focused heavily on the status of both players inside the world’s top 10. The tactic backfired; Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin thumped the English pair, 6&5. Undeterred, Nordqvist sent Hull and Woad back out. This time it was Yealimi Noh and Andrea Lee who emerged victorious.