SUGAR GROVE, Ill. — As good a golfer as Juli Inkster is, she’s that bad of a dancer, and her celebratory moves are infamous. On Friday afternoon, though, she simply dropped to her knees when she became the highest-scoring U.S. player in Solheim Cup history.
Paula Creamer made a 20-footer to give the Americans a 4 1/2-3 1/2 lead at the Solheim Cup. Inkster, 49, has scored 17 1/2 points, one more than Meg Mallon, now an assistant captain for the U.S. team.
“About time my partner made a putt,” Inkster said jokingly after her and Creamer’s 2-and-1 foursome victory over Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie. “No, it was good. We had some sloppy play in the middle — I did. The thing with alternate shot, is you’ve just got to ham-and-egg it, do the best you can and ride it out.
“We were fortunate enough to throw a few birdies in there, and Paula had a phenomenal putt on 17.”
Inkster hasn’t won since 2006, and her best finish this year is a tie for 11th. But U.S. captain Beth Daniel didn’t hesitate to make her a captain’s pick, and the seven-time major champion reinforced the decision with a critical point.
The Americans were 3-up after 12 holes, only to see the lead dwindle when Inkster missed par putts on the next two holes. But Inkster, possibly the most competitive person on the team, responded with a spectacular approach on the par-5 15th, running it a foot past the hole from 120 yards.
After halving the 16th hole, the worst the Americans could do was a half-point for the match. That would have left them tied with the Europeans, however, and the last thing the U.S. team wanted to do was lose any of their momentum.
There are eight doubles matches today, and the Americans need 14 points to win their third consecutive Cup.
Europe needs 14 1/2 points to win its first on American soil.
Only Europe’s Annika Sorenstam (24 points) and Laura Davies (23) have scored more points than Inkster in Solheim Cup play.
