Will Europe's Solheim Cup triumph boost female participation?

Over the last decade, the biennial Solheim Cup match between Europe and the USA has consistently produced nail-biting drama and an exceptional display of competitive golf played with immense tenacity and pride.

- ALISON ROOT

This year’s match at Inverness Golf Club in Ohio served up another thriller that delivered down-to-the-wire excitement, with emotions swinging back and forth.

Europe headed into the final-day singles with a 9-7 lead and proceeded to post the first three points, before the USA staged a fightback, claiming points from the next five matches. But the efforts of the American side were too little too late and Europe retained the trophy by a slim margin, winning 15-13. This took the tally of wins for Europe up to four out of the last six matches, and it was only their second victory on away soil in the history of the event.

More records were broken in Ohio with Scot Catriona Matthew becoming the first European captain to win the Solheim Cup twice. Europe’s standout player, 26-year-old Leona Maguire, also made history by becoming the first rookie to play all five sessions and remain unbeaten, as she contributed four and a half points to the European cause on her debut appearance.

Riding the momentum

The Solheim Cup is the pinnacle of women’s professional golf. It creates compulsive viewing, and this match will undoubtedly have helped to further boost both the game and women’s sport.