Pettersen confident of European fightback after foursomes whitewash: “The players don’t quit"
European skipper Suzann Pettersen insisted her charges “don’t quit” and will give there all to get back into the Solheim Cup after suffering a 4-0 foursomes drubbing in the opening session in Spain.
The Europeans got off to a slow start at Finca Cortesin and while there were late fightbacks from Maja Stark and Linn Grant and Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist, the Americans clinched the first session lead since Europe won the foursomes 4-0 en route to victory at Loch Lomond in 2000.
“We get knocked down, we stand back up and we go out there again,” said Pettersen, who left the injured Charley Hull out of the afternoon fourballs.
“It was a tough morning, I thought a lot of the girls fought really hard. It's great to see Maja and Linn I just thought, let them get out there and get comfortable.
"They had a rough start, and then they kind of fall back. And what a great experience for them. I mean, yeah, you've just got to stand back up. I mean, these players are hungry, they want to go out there and they want to get their points.”
Europe won just two of the first five holes and Pettersen admitted that their slow start put them at a big disadvantage
“I don't know if we're trying too hard,” the Norwegian said. “But I feel like it was maybe some easy holes given away early in the foursomes matches in the morning, on the greens pretty much.
“We’ve just got to get some putts dropping, get some momentum, get the crowds, kind of louder. We have a job to do.”
Pettersen benched Nordqvist, Hull and Celine Boutier for the afternoon fourballs and left wildcard Caroline Hedwall out of the first day’s play entirely.
“The players don't quit,” she said. “So I've told them to go out there and do the job. Let's go with one point at a time. And there's still tons of points up for grabs. So it ain't over.
"Yeah, it was a rocky start, but it's often that's good too.”
As for Hull, who has a shoulder injury, she said: “Oh, Charley’s okay. I mean, probably didn't feel the best on the front nine. And the more she played, she felt better, so she'll be fine.
“She has some treatments, but nothing to worry about, Charley being Charley, so I have no concerns.”
Afternoon fourballs (Irish time)
12:40 p.m Irish time. Rose Zhang/Megan Khang vs. Gemma Dryburgh/Madelene Sagstrom
12:55 p.m. Lexi Thompson/Lilia Vu vs. Leona Maguire/Georgia Hall
1:10 p.m. Jennifer Kupcho/Allisen Corpuz vs. Emily K. Pedersen/Maja Stark
1:25 p.m. Angel Yin/Ally Ewing vs. Carlota Ciganda/Linn Grant
