Published: August 24, 2009 12:11 am      

Americans win third straight Solheim Cup

Pressel’s point seals 16-12 decision over Europe

SUGAR GROVE, Ill. — The United States didn’t want to be called the favorites at the Solheim Cup.

Winners has a much better ring to it.

Morgan Pressel delivered the clinching point with her 3-and-2 victory over Anna Nordqvist on Sunday, and the Americans won their third straight Solheim Cup with a 16-12 decision over Europe. After Nordqvist missed an 8-footer to keep the match going, Pressel’s teammates, who had been watching at the side of the green, leaped up and started celebrating.

“This is so important to us,” Pressel said, wiping away tears. “It’s not about pride. It’s not about money. It’s about country. It’s about our teammates.”

Michelle Wie, whose 3-0-1 record was the best of any American this week, grabbed a U.S. flag and held it aloft to cries of “Wheee!” from the crowd. As the last three matches finished, there were shrieks of joy when the next American joined the party, and new rounds of “U-S-A! U-S-A!”

When the last match was done, they ran around the 18th green hugging each other and waving American flags. The fans at Rich Harvest Farms, so boisterous all week, serenaded the players with more chants and applause.

“Most of the day, I didn’t think it was going to happen,” an emotional U.S. captain Beth Daniel said.

Fittingly, one of the players who changed the momentum in the Americans’ favor was Juli Inkster.

At 49, she’s the oldest player in Solheim Cup history, with a daughter who’s only a few months younger than Wie. She was a captain’s pick and, after a rough day Saturday, struggled most of Sunday afternoon against Gwladys Nocera.

But as always, when her team needs her most, Inkster was there.

Down 2 after 12, she made birdies on 14 and 15. She evened the match with a solid shot into 12 feet on the par-3 16th, then actually went 1 up when Nocera missed a 6-footer for par on the 17th. Inkster would bogey 18, but still left with a half-point.

It was quite a finish for what Inkster insists will be her last week. She was given the honor of lowering the U.S. flag at the closing ceremony, doing it with her daughters by her side.