Two huge putts from Kupcho give US renewed hope in Solheim Cup finish

Jennifer Kupcho first shushed the Europeans with her finger against her lips. Then she did it with her putter.

In one of the most remarkable finishing stretches in the Solheim Cup’s 36-year history, Kupcho rolled in huge birdie putts on Nos. 17 and 18 - one, outrageously, from 93 feet - to snatch an unlikely point for the Americans from the last match on the course on Saturday and tie score at 8-8 after four sessions at Bernardus Golf.

Over to the Sunday singles to determine the destination of the crystal trophy, with the United States needing 14 points to keep possession. “That was huge,” U.S. captain Angela Stanford said of Kupcho’s exploits. “It’s absolutely turned the tide.” Europe’s fans became more excitable - or “rowdy,” in the words of Kupcho - as Day 2 wore on, helped by two big wins from Swedish pairing Maja Stark and Linn Grant, first over Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz in the morning foursomes and then Megan Khang and Lauren Coughlin in the afternoon four-balls. Kupcho silenced them.

She was already a target after producing a “shush” gesture, seemingly toward the Europe fans, after making birdie on the 10th hole of her match with Lindy Duncan against Carlota Ciganda and Celine Boutier.
About two hours later - and trailing at 1 down as she reached the 17th green - Kupcho got to her ball off the back of the green knowing Ciganda and Boutier were both inside 12 feet. “Honestly, going into it, I had zero expectations,” Kupcho said. “I hardly even read my putt.” Kupcho sent in a speculative putt that kept rolling and rolling and rolling, before sweeping down the hill and into the side of the cup.

Cue huge celebrations from Kupcho - “Vamos!” she screamed in Spanish, the nationality of Ciganda - and the rest of the U.S. team that was gathered beside the green. Some of the players and support staff spilled onto the putting surface. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” Stanford said. “And in that environment, it just makes it so much more special.”
Ciganda and Boutier both missed their putts, leaving the match tied.