Lexi Thompson’s Amazing Rally Helps U.S. Solheim Cup Win

The Solheim Cup provided some incredible spills and thrills Sunday. The U.S. squad prevailed once again for the 5th time in the last 7 matches, but no singles match was more Dr. Jekyll, Mrs. Hyde more than Lexi Thompson and Anna Nordqvist.

“That was the weirdest round of golf I’ve ever played,” Thompson said. “Front nine, I don’t think I was awake. And the back nine I just played lights out.”

Thompson lost the first four holes.

She didn’t just look bad. She looked shaken. Thompson missed a 3-footer at the first, shanked a wedge at the second and missed a 4-footer at the third.

U.S. captain Juli Inkster came out and put her arm around Thompson, trying to pick her up.

If Inkster said to Lexi after 4 awful holes" relax and don't be afraid to fail" as reported—the very best advice ever said by a captain!

— Judy Rankin (@Jrprotalker) August 21, 2017

So did assistant captain Nancy Lopez.

“I don’t really know what was going on,” Thompson said. “Having them there for me, picking me up, just telling me to keep my head up, and that I’m the best, and I can do this. I’m very proud of myself.”

Making the turn 4 down, Thompson caught fire and put on a ball-striking clinic. She played the next seven holes in 8 under in a head-spinning turnaround.

She holed out from the fairway for eagle at the 11th. She rolled in a 30-foot putt for another eagle at the 15th to square the match. She birdied the 16th to go 1 up.

But Nordqvist wasn’t done.

Despite playing with mononucleosis, Nordqvist came into the match 3-0 for the week. She claimed the half point sticking an 8-iron at the last to 1 foot to make birdie.

“I’m speechless right now,” Nordqvist said. “Just completely exhausted.”

Plenty of excellent drama for a mere halved match.

Cristie Kerr went an undefeated 3-0-1 for the week while surpassing Juli Inkster as the leading American point-earner in Solheim Cup history.