Solheim Cup level at 8-8 as Hull and Woad struggle again

Europe and the United States are level at 8-8 after two days of the Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf Club in the Netherlands, with 12 singles matches to decide the trophy on Sunday. Europe need 14½ points to win; the US need 14 points to retain it.

What is the score going into the final day?

The teams are tied at 8-8 after Saturday’s foursomes and fourballs. Europe, who began day two level, won three points across the two sessions, but the United States took the last point of the day to leave the contest level before Sunday’s 12 singles matches. Europe need 14½ points to win the Solheim Cup, while the holders, the United States, need 14 points to retain the trophy.

How did Charley Hull and Lottie Woad perform?

Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, Europe’s highest-ranked players, lost both of Saturday’s sessions and have contributed half a point from four matches. They were beaten 6&5 in the morning foursomes by Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin, a result equalling a Solheim Cup record, and lost their afternoon fourballs match to Yealimi Noh and Andrea Lee on the final hole. The pair had been sent out together against Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz in the opening session, when Hull and Woad faced Korda and Corpuz in the Solheim Cup opener. Woad said “Plan A” had always been for her and Hull to feature in all five matches.

Who led Europe’s charge on Saturday?

Maja Stark and Linn Grant won both of their matches. The Swedish pair beat world number one Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz 3&2 in the morning foursomes, handing a first defeat to a US partnership that had won all five of its previous matches together, then defeated Megan Khang and Lauren Coughlin 2&1 in the afternoon fourballs. It was Khang’s first loss in six matches. Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud became the first rookie duo to win two matches in one edition of the competition, and Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit also won a point as Europe led 7-5.

What did Anna Nordqvist say about the Hull-Woad pairing?

Europe captain Anna Nordqvist defended her decision to send Hull and Woad out together again. “I don’t think people understand – these are the best players in the world,” Nordqvist said. “Lottie, herself, made six birdies in the afternoon. They are playing solid.” Woad said the problem was on the greens: “We didn’t hole many putts in the morning and all afternoon, and that’s the difference, really. The people we played were holing 15-footers and we weren’t.” Hull’s summary was: “Just couldn’t buy a putt.” Woad added: “It doesn’t matter who wins the points. I would happily lose my matches if we win.”

How did day two finish?

Jennifer Kupcho holed a 91-foot putt on the 17th and then another long putt on the final hole to take a point from Carlota Ciganda and Celine Boutier, who had been one up with four holes to play. Ciganda had taken half a point in Friday’s closing match, when her late putt levelled the Solheim Cup on day one.

Frequently asked questions

What is the score in the Solheim Cup after day two?

Europe and the United States are level at 8-8 going into Sunday’s 12 singles matches at Bernardus Golf Club in the Netherlands.

How many points do Europe and the US need to win the Solheim Cup?

Europe need 14½ points to win the Solheim Cup. The United States, who hold the trophy, need 14 points to retain it.

How have Charley Hull and Lottie Woad performed at the Solheim Cup?

Charley Hull and Lottie Woad have won half a point from four matches, losing both of Saturday’s sessions, including a 6&5 foursomes defeat that equalled a Solheim Cup record.

Who won both of their matches for Europe on Saturday?

Maja Stark and Linn Grant won their morning foursomes 3&2 against Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz and their afternoon fourballs 2&1 against Megan Khang and Lauren Coughlin.

With reporting from BBC Sport.

Stock image, not from the events described. Closeup golf club head ball — rawpixel / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)