Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 22 augusT 2017
U.S. beats Europe in Solheim Cup 16 1/2-11 1/2 in Iowa

By LUKE MEREDITH Nordqvist did her best to
AP Sports Writer set the tone for the Europe-
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa ans in the opening match,
(AP) — Four years ago, winning the first four holes.
Team Europe celebrated But after a birdie on No.
the most decisive win in 10, Thompson holed out
Solheim Cup history — on from 112 yards for eagle on
American soil, no less. the 11th hole — a shot so
Captain Annika Soren- impressive that even Nor-
stam and her team will dqvist was compelled to
likely spend their trip back high-five her.
across the Atlantic won- Thompson followed with
dering when they’ll be an eagle putt on the 15th
ready to compete with the hole, and a birdie on 16
U.S. again. put her ahead for the first
Lexi Thompson, 22, and her time. Though Nordqvist
resurgent U.S. teammates rallied, earning the half-
finished off their most-deci- point by sticking her 154-
sive Solheim Cup victory in yard approach on No. 18
more than 20 years, beat- within a foot, an American
ing Europe 16 1/2-11 1/2 on win was inevitable after
Sunday at Des Moines Golf Thompson’s run.
and Country Club. Europe also knows that
Though Europe played they’ll likely have to deal
the U.S. even on Sunday, with Thompson — the
the Americans dominated United States captain Juli Inkster, center, holds the Solheim Cup as she celebrates with her team highest-rated player in the
foursome and four-ball after winning the Solheim Cup golf tournament, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, in West Des Moines, Iowa. event — for a long time.
play to put the Europeans “To me, that was like six
in a major hole. points,” Inkster said. “It’s
The Americans are now probably fitting they both
10-5 in the biennial tour- some golf.” Kerr beat Mel Reid 2 and For Europe, Catriona Mat- got half a point. Both
nament after their biggest Cristie Kerr and Paula 1 for her record-extending thew beat Stacy Lewis played amazingly. It just
win since a 17-11 triumph in Creamer won key match- 21st point in the competi- 1 up, Caroline Masson shows the heart of her and
1996 in Wales. They rallied es, and Gerina Piller sealed tion, and Creamer edged topped Michelle Wie 4 and her determination. You
to win in Germany in 2015 it with a birdie putt that put Georgia Hall 1 up to raise 2, Charley Hull edged Brit- think she’s out of it and
and have taken five of the her 3 up over Florentyna her total to 19 1/2 — sec- tany Lang 1 up, Carlota then the switch goes off.”
last seven matches — the Parker with three to play in ond on the U.S. career list. Ciganda beat Brittany Lin- Europe knew it would be a
exception being that 18-10 a 4-and-2 victory. Thompson ended up halv- cicome 4 and 3, and Mad- big underdog heading into
blowout that Europe hand- “They just bonded. They ing with Anna Nordqvist, elene Sagstrom defeated the tournament, especially
ed the U.S. in Colorado in believed in each other. and Angel Yin halved with Austin Ernst 3 and 2. after star Suzann Pettersen
2013. They played for the person Karine Icher as the teams Her team five points down threw out her back and
“We just got outplayed, no behind them and in front split the 12 singles matches. entering the day, Soren- withdrew. But the 47-year-
doubt about it,” Sorens- of them. And they played Lizette Salas and Danielle stam tried to keep the old Matthew was 3-1 after
tam said. “I’m just so proud some amazing golf,” said Kang also won for the U.S. mood light by dressing up replacing the injured Su-
of how hard they fought. Juli Inkster, who joined Judy Salas edged Jodi Ewart in a blue and yellow Viking zann Pettersen.
What can I say? Just con- Rankin as the only U.S. cap- Shadoff 1 up, and Kang hat and wig and dancing Nordqvist went 3-0-1 dur-
gratulate the USA because tains to win the Solheim beat Emily Pedersen 3 and for the cameras before ing the week to lead the
they played some awe- Cup twice. 1. play began. Europeans.q

Liberty beat Lynx 70-61 to clinch spot in WNBA playoffs

NEW YORK (AP) — Tina with 17 wins and 12 losses. Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer Thomas had nine points
Charles scored 19 points Connecticut had a 94-66 said all season that come and 11 rebounds for Wash-
and Epiphanny Prince win over Phoenix to hold August he’ll know a lot ington.
added 15 to help New York top spot in the confer- more about his team. Right After Marissa Coleman hit a
Liberty beat top-ranked ence and the Seattle Storm now, New York is one of the 3-pointer to cap a 19-6 run
Minnesota Lynx 70-61 on pounded Chicago 103-66. best teams in the WNBA. that gave Indiana (9-21) its
Sunday, clinching a WNBA At New York, the Liberty “We said all along that first lead of the second half,
playoff berth. trailed by 11 in the first half we’d have a better idea Toliver answered with a 3 of
The Liberty have won five before cutting its deficit to of who we are this month,” her own to give the Mystics
straight games, includ- five at the half. The Liberty Laimbeer said. “Everyone is a 67-66 lead with 6:24 re-
ing beating the top three took the lead for good in accepting their roles.” maining.
teams in the league the the third quarter on two At Indianapolis, Emma Two minutes later, Toliver
past three contests, and free throws by Sugar Rod- Meesseman scored 21 hit another 3-pointer to Connecticut Sun’s Jonquel
are second behind Con- gers with 40 seconds left in points and Kristi Toliver had give Washington a five- Jones (35) goes up for a shot
necticut in the Eastern the period. 12 of her 18 points in the point lead and, after the after being fouled by Phoenix
Mercury’s Brittney Griner (42)
Conference. Maya Moore scored 22 fourth quarter to help the Fever tied it at 72-all, Toliver during a WNBA basketball
The Washington Mystics points to lead the Lynx (22- Mystics beat the Fever. converted a three-point game in Uncasville, Conn.,
also secured a playoff spot 6), who were missing start- Tierra Ruffin-Pratt also play with 3:06 to go and Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017.
with a 87-82 win in India- ers Lindsay Whalen and Re- scored 18 points, Ivory Lat- the Mystics led the rest of Associated Press
napolis, joining the Liberty bekkah Brunson to injuries. ta added 10 and Krystal the way. q