The final match of Monday singles featured the anchors: Emily Pedersen for Team Europe and Danielle Kang for Team USA. It was a familiar spot for both, as they previously met in the final singles match at the 2017 Solheim Cup where Kang got the better of Pedersen. The result was different this time around.
Pedersen took the opening hole with a par, but Kang responded with eagle at No. 2. The two went back and forth the rest of the front nine, as Pedersen used birdies to capture Nos. 5 and 8 while Kang took 7 (par) and 9 (birdie) to tie the match at the turn.
“It was a mixture [of emotions]. I was happy she put me there [in the anchor match]. I was there in 2017 in Des Moines against the same player and it felt really good to have another outcome,” said Pedersen. “I felt confident that Beany putting me there, so I was proud.”
The European captain chimed in with a few words of affirmation.
“We knew she could handle it,” said Catriona Matthew.
Once the duo headed to the back nine, Pedersen created separation. She secured Nos. 10, 12 and 13 going birdie-par-birdie to go 3-up. Then on the walk from 15 to 16, results became official: Team Europe had won the 2021 Solheim Cup thanks to Matilda Castren’s match victory.
The European contingent gathered on 16 tee and celebrated the moment. Hugs, congratulations, tears and laughs. They walked hand in hand down the fairway. Olé chants rang out. But Pedersen still had to withstand a Kang comeback. The American won 16 and 17, but Pedersen buried her birdie putt on 18 to seal an outright European victory.
“It was a bit of a fight because after 15, I knew we'd won and just wanted to celebrate with everyone, so I just really had to collect myself. Felt really good to hole that last putt,” Pedersen said. “I was so happy for Matilda. I think all our rookies did so well and Leona just smashing it. It was so crucial for us. I just really had to collect myself on the last three because I could see them and I could hear the ‘olés.’ It was nice to get it done.”
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