Sport

Cavan golfer Leona Maguire plays starring role on debut as Europe win Solheim Cup on US soil

 Europe's Leona Maguire holds the trophy after playing a starring role in defeating the United States at the Solheim Cup golf tournament  in Toledo Ohio on Monday
 Europe's Leona Maguire holds the trophy after playing a starring role in defeating the United States at the Solheim Cup golf tournament in Toledo Ohio on Monday  Europe's Leona Maguire holds the trophy after playing a starring role in defeating the United States at the Solheim Cup golf tournament in Toledo Ohio on Monday

IRELAND'S Leona Maguire played a stunning starring role on her Solheim Cup debut as Europe claimed just their second victory on US soil in Toledo.

Maguire's singles victory over Jennifer Kupcho at Inverness Club gave her four-and-a-half points from five matches - a record for a rookie on either side - and provided the ideal springboard for a hard-fought 15-13 success.

Wins for Madelene Sagstrom and Celine Boutier edged Europe closer to their target, along with half points from Anna Nordqvist and Nanna Koerstz Madsen, before victories for world number one Nelly Korda, Brittany Altomare and Megan Khang kept the contest alive.

It fell to Finnish rookie Matilda Castren to make a nerveless up and down from a bunker on the 18th to beat Lizette Salas and make sure the trophy would return across the Atlantic, with Emily Pedersen then guaranteeing half a point from the bottom match to ensure outright victory.

Her opponent Danielle Kang won the 16th and 17th and even birdied the last, but Pedersen followed her in to complete the victory in fitting fashion.

"It was a bit of a fight because after 15 I knew we'd won and I just wanted to go celebrate with everyone, so I just really had to collect myself," Pedersen said. "But it felt really good to hole that last putt.

Maguire eagled the second and birdied the fourth, sixth and seventh to take command of her match against fellow unbeaten rookie Kupcho and duly completed a comprehensive win.

The 26-year-old from Cavan said: "The goal was to get my point, that's all I can do. I've given it my absolute all this week, I couldn't have given anything more. I couldn't have asked for a better week.

"Jen is a world-class player. We've done battle many times in college. This wasn't the first, and it will definitely not be the last. I knew I was going to have to play some really good golf to beat her today.

"Got off to a great start; that eagle on two really sort of set me up and I holed some really nice putts, and just really kept my foot down all day."

"It's been an incredible week. It's a dream come true to be here to go and win a Solheim Cup on American soil, you can't even imagine. We had a phenomenal team this week from top to bottom and this is an experience I will probably never forget.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think the week was going to go this way. It's been an honour to represent Europe and the trust that Beany (Matthew) and all the (vice-)captains had in me was incredible.

"It's given me a massive confidence boost and I wouldn't have been able to do it without them."