The United States has finally broken through after a seven-year drought in international competition by winning the 2024 Solheim Cup over Europe on Sunday. After three straight defeats in the biannual event, the U.S. prevailed with a 15.5 to 12.5 victory at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
The United States' Lilia Vu finished birdie-birdie to tie Albane Valenzuela and earn a half point that gave the Americans the clinching point they needed to bring home the Solheim Cup for the first time in the last four holdings of the event.
"I can't even put it into words," Vu told NBC. "I felt like I didn't do my part this week, and I wanted to get something done. I said to my caddie on 16, 'I feel like I haven't done anything for this team.'"
All points count the same, but Vu's last two birdies may be remembered more than most when this Solheim Cup is revisited in the future. Her effort on the 18th came through a nasty wedge shot concluding a long, winding, sometimes-chaotic Sunday affair.
"It really could have gone either way," U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, who was part of a 14-14 tie in Spain last year, told NBC. "It's crazy there at the end how it all unfolded. I was just hoping and praying it went our way. Lilia's finish there was unbelievable. That's what you expect from one of the best players in the world."
Europe mounted a legitimate upset bid. It appeared as if the visitors might rally from down 10 to 6 entering the final day to usurp the U.S.
Nelly Korda, who went 3-1-0 and got her first Solheim Cup victory in four tries, got smoked in the leadoff spot 6 & 5 by Charley Hull to open the comeback attempt. Megan Khang, Allisen Corpuz and Rose Zhang all clinched victories moving the Americans to 13 points, but suddenly, hopes started to look bleak. Lexi Thompson and Allison Lee both lost as the U.S. either trailed or held ties in several matches.
Ultimately, Lauren Coughlin, who finished 3-0-1 as a rookie for the U.S., earned a half point with a par at the 18th, fighting back from 3 down on the 11th tee to squeak out a tie and set up Vu for the clincher.
"This is so cool," Lewis told NBC. "So stressful to watch. It's awful watching. I'm so proud of the players. It's amazing how these things come down to a half a point here and there. Fortunately, this time, we were on the right side of it."
Europe was trying to pull off an all-time upset after digging that 10-6 hole after the first two days. Friday was problematic as the U.S. won both sessions 3-1 and built a 6-2 lead after Day 1. Then the teams split the eight matches on Saturday, but the damage for the week had been done.
"We gave them a run for their money," European captain Suzanne Pettersen told NBC. "It's kind of hard to believe we actually had a chance. We gave them such a head start. But I had fun today; it's always exciting on a Sunday. There was possibilities out there. Several times we thought we could get it done. It came down to a couple matches. Happy for Stacy obviously on home turf."
The next Solheim Cup will be played in the Netherlands in 2026.
Solheim Cup history
| Year | Winner | Location | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | United States | Gainesville, Virginia | 15.5 to 12.5 |
| 2023 | Europe | Andalusia, Spain | 14 to 14 |
| 2021 | Europe | Toledo, Ohio | 15 to 13 |
| 2019 | Europe | Perthshire, Scotland | 14.5 to 13.5 |
| 2017 | United States | West Des Moines, Iowa | 16.5 to 11.5 |
| 2015 | United States | Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany | 14.5 to 13.5 |
Rick Gehman, Kyle Porter and Mark Immelman recap the 2024 Procore Championship and everything else in an eventful weekend in golf. Follow & listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.