GLENEAGLES, Scotland — After a day of extraordinary comebacks, tense 18th-hole finishes and some of the most brutal weather conditions in Solheim Cup history, still nothing can separate Europe and the United States at Gleneagles.
It’s 8-8 heading to the final-day singles, and there’s no way of knowing which way this one’s going to fall.
It was just gone 7 p.m. local time on Saturday when Danielle Kang rolled in a long birdie putt amid the gloom to clinch the last match of the afternoon fourballs for the U.S. on the 17th hole, depriving the Europeans of the lead.
Kang hugged playing partner Lizette Salas, who was wearing giant ear muffs and a thick coat. They were congratulated by U.S. captain Juli Inskster, who was wearing three hats. Golf carts parked around the green had their headlights on.
It was one of those days when balls fell off tees and police officers roaming the course were seen holding onto their hats.
“I’m sure they’d love to be playing in Spain right now,” Inkster said of the players, “but this is where we’re at.”
It is the first time since 2011 in Ireland that Europe and the U.S. were tied going to the singles. The Europeans went on to lift the cup that year, and they are seeking to prevent a U.S. three-peat in women’s golf’s premier team event.
After the morning foursomes were shared, 2-2, leaving Europe with a 6½-5½ lead, Inkster made the bold decision to rest the three unbeaten players in her team for the fourballs. Out went the Korda sisters, who had just swept to a record-tying 6-and-5 win, and also Morgan Pressel, who won seven of nine holes with Marina Alex to come from 4 down and secure a 2-and-1 victory.
Inkster went out of her “pod” system that has guided her selection and put her faith in fresher players to bring home the points in winds that reached 44 mph.
The U.S. won the fourballs 2½-1½, with the match involving Kang and Salas — 2-up winners against Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz — the only one not reaching the 18th hole.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Joaquin Niemann shot a 2-under 68 on Saturday to take a two-stroke in the A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier.
Trying to become the first player from Chile to win on the PGA Tour, the 20-year-old Niemann was 15 under with a round left in the season-opening event at the Old White TPC.
No third-round leader has gone on to win the tournament.
Nate Lashley, Richy Werenski and Robby Shelton were tied for second. Lashley and Werenski shot 65, and Shelton had a 70.
Adam Long and Scotty Scheffler were 12 under. Long shot 70, and Scheffler had a 71.
GRAND BLANC, Mich. — Jerry Kelly birdied the first five holes on the back nine and finished with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the PGA Tour Champions’ Ally Challenge.
Kelly had a 12-under 132 total at rain-softened Warwick Hills, the longtime home of the PGA Tour’s defunct Buick Open. He won the American Family Insurance Championship in June in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, for his fourth victory on the 50-and-over tour.
Charles Schwab Cup points leader Scott McCarron was tied for second with Woody Auston. McCarron, a three-time winner this season, had a 67. Austin shot 65.
Bernhard Langer (67), Jerry Smith (68) and Tom Gillis (69) were 9 under.