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Solheim Cup: Europe make history with crushing 18-10 victory in Colorado

Image: Europe celebrate their Solheim Cup triumph

Europe won the Solheim Cup for the first time on US soil after a crushing 18-10 victory over the hosts at Colorado Golf Club.

Five points ahead overnight after a sensational clean sweep of the Saturday afternoon fourballs put them 10.5-5.5 in front, Lotte Neumann's team needed just 3.5 points from the 12 singles matches to retain the trophy and four to win it outright again.

Wins from 17-year-old Charley Hull - a sensational 5&4 triumph over Paula Creamer - and Carlota Ciganda, as well as a half for Anna Nordqvist against British Open champion Stacy Lewis took Europe's total to 13 before a threat of lightning brought the players off the course.

I was shaking. My knees were shaking. I knew if I got a half we would win it outright.
Quote - Catriona Matthew

But after a delay of just under an hour, the visitors banked the crucial 14th point when Caroline Hedwall birdied from four feet at the last to defeat Michelle Wie and ensure that Europe couldn't be beaten.

Exciting

The victory completed a remarkable week for Hedwall who became the first player in the tournament's history to win five points out of five.

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That meant half the job was done but Europe still had history to make by wrapping up an outright victory.

And the glory of securing the vital half point went to veteran Catriona Matthew as she knocked in a four foot putt at 18 to share her match with Gerina Piller and get Europe to the magic number of 14.5.

"I was shaking. My knees were shaking. I knew if I got a half we would win it outright," Matthew, who won the Open in 2009, told Sky Sports.

"It beats that. Any time you can celebrate with your 11 team-mates it makes it more exciting, more fun."

Europe eventually extended their winning margin to a massive 18-10 after further wins for Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Beatriz Recari and half points for Suzann Pettersen, Giulia Sergas and Karine Icher.

Hedwall, who secured a one-up victory against Wie, told Sky Sports: "I don't know what to say. I'm shaking. It's unbelievable.

"This is what you practise for to be part of this moment. It's unbelievable."

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