What A Week In The World Of Golf

We had one superstar say “goodbye,” and another say “hello” to the European Solheim Cup Team.

The 16th annual Solheim Cup Matches were a resounding success as more than 90,000 spectators were on hand to see a highly improbable series of events unfold at Gleneagles in Scotland.

On September 15, as the matches were winding down, the U.S. needed to get a half-match in just one of the last three singles matches to retain the cup, and while it didn’t come in the first two, in comes Norwegian-born Suzann Pettersen, playing in the No. 12 spot for Europe, to save the day.

It was a tight match all the way to the 18th green, with U.S rookie Marina Alex going up against the experienced veteran. After Alex missed a tricky, downhill 12-footer, the outcome of the Solheim Cup Matches was all in the hands of the somewhat questionable Captain’s Pick, who faced an uphill six-footer for the win. When the ball found the bottom of the cup, it meant Europe had clinched the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2013, and shortly after, Pettersen announced her retirement from professional golf — she turned professional in 2000 at age 19, recorded 22 professional victories with 15 of those on the LGPA Tour, but had only played four times in the last two years after taking time off to have her first child at 38 years old. What a way to say goodbye.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Joaquín Niemann became the first player from Chile to win on the PGA Tour. He kicked off his winning record by beating the rest of the Military Tribute at The Greenbrier field by six shots. He apparently has quite a love affair for this Greenbrier, WV gem. In the last three times he has played in the tournament, two as an amateur, he shot 64 each time in the final round. This kid is the real deal.

Speaking of a real deal, the Ladies Club Championship ended Sunday at the Southampton Golf Club with Denise Martorana coming out on top once again. This victory represents the 18th time Martorana has won this championship event. To honor her illustrious career, the winner’s trophy will be named after her from this point forward.

Golf is in a good place right now.

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