U.S. beat Europe to regain Solheim Cup

America staged a magnificent fightback in the singles to regain the Solheim Cup as European dreams of a first win on US soil disappeared in a 15 1/2 to 12 1/2 defeat at Interlachen in Minnesota on Sunday.

Trailing 9-7 overnight after having lost the fourballs 4-0 on Saturday, Patty Sheehan's team, led by U.S. Open Champion Juli Inkster, came out fighting in an afternoon that raised memories of a similar American comeback in the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline.

In a day bathed in red, white and blue, the home side won the singles 8 1/2 to 3 1/2 and re-captured the Cup, raising the overall score in seven meetings to 5-2.

Inkster provided her side with the perfect lead with a 4 and 3 win over Spain's Raquel Carriedo, at the head of the order.

Rosie Jones made sure of the U.S. victory when she went dormie three up against Karine Icher in the final tie that she went on to win by 3 and 2.

Another U.S. heroine was rookie Wendy Ward who claimed a half point from world number one Annika Sorenstam.

"I'm so proud of my team," said U.S. captain, Sheehan. "They showed so much heart out there today. I knew that two points behind wasn't too much to make up and Juli gave us the perfect start.

"I told her to go out there and get a point and she got the job done."

For European Captain, Dale Reid, it was the end of a dream of becoming the first European captain to win on U.S. soil. "But it's been a great fight," said Reid, who led the side to victory at Loch Lomond in her native Scotland two years ago.

"But the Americans played great, they were just too good on the day."