Americans end drought, capture 2024 Solheim Cup for first win in 7 years
Lilia Vu was trailing by 2 with only two holes left to play, as the Europeans were making a strong effort. Then, the World No. 2 turned the tide.
Thanks to Vu’s clutch performance, the American team ended their drought at the Solheim Cup. She made a birdie on the par-4 17th hole to keep her match level against Albane Valenzuela, and then hit a remarkable shot on 18, placing the ball just a couple of feet from the hole to win both holes, tie the match, and secure a crucial half point for the United States, marking their first victory in the Solheim Cup in seven years at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Vu shared. “I felt like I hadn’t contributed much this week, and I wanted to make an impact. I told my caddie on the 16th hole that I felt useless to the team, but then I ended up in the back bunker.
“I thought, ‘I must make this up-and-down.’ She was sinking putts on nearly every hole, so I expected her to birdie that… but she didn’t. I managed to salvage a birdie from the bunker on 17 and then finished off on 18 to secure the half point.”
Andrea Lee and Virginian native Lauren Coughlin also made significant contributions by earning half points Sunday afternoon, while Megan Khang, Rose Zhang, and Allisen Corpuz clinched victories for the U.S. to make a comeback.
“I’m a fighter, that’s just my style. I never give up during a round,” Coughlin remarked. “As long as I have a chance, I’ll keep playing hard.
“I kept pushing through and eventually started hitting the shots I know how to make, and I began sinking some putts as the round came to a close.”
Khang has now gone undefeated in her last two Solheim Cups.
“The vibe here is just electrifying,” she said about the atmosphere at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. “I’ve really enjoyed engaging with the crowd, even if my voice has paid the price. But I would gladly relive this experience over and over.”
The U.S. now leads the overall series against Europe with an 11-7-1 record. The next Solheim Cup is set for September 7-13, 2026, at Bernardus in the Netherlands.