Team Europe, behind strong performances from Leona Maguire and Mel Reid, will take a 9-7 lead over Team USA into the final day of the Solheim Cup.
If Europe holds won, it would be just the second time in 31 years that they have captured the Cup on foreign soil.
Maguire and Reid finished the weekend unbeaten in three matches after dominating world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing in alternate-shot play Sunday morning. In the afternoon, the two tied Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas in four-ball to maintain the lead.
On Monday, the Europeans need just five out of a possible 12 points to maintain their lead and keep the Cup. Meanwhile, the Americans need 7 ½ points to complete the comeback.
But history may not be on the side of the Europeans. After 16 matches, the Europeans have found themselves in the lead eight times. They’ve won only half of those competitions, with the last one coming in 2013 — their sole triumph on U.S. soil at Colorado Golf Club.
There is some hope for Team USA. If the Korda sisters — who are just 1-3 at Inverness — find their game, they could be a key factor in the comeback. Nelly Korda will face Georgia Hall and Jessica Korda will play Charley Hall in the penultimate match.
U.S. captain Pat Hurst remains confident in their abilities.
“I need them for my singles matches,” Hurst said Sunday. “That’s where we usually shine.”
Hurst isn’t wrong. In nine out of 16 Solheim Cups, the U.S. has posted the better singles mark.
“It’s going to be tight,” said Team Europe captain Catriona Matthew, who guided Europe to victory at Gleneagles two years ago. “It always seems to come down to the singles. Every little half-point here or there is going to be crucial.”