In a riveting morning at the Solheim Cup 2023, the United States retains a leading edge with a 7:5 scoreboard. However, the resilient European duo, Emily Kristine Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda, clawed back to secure a crucial point for Europe on Saturday morning.
Solheim Cup 2023: Carlota Ciganda on their Foursome
Playing on home turf, Spanish native, Carlota Ciganda, expressed her elation at being part of the tournament in Spain. “Very happy to play here in Spain. That first tee, I mean, it’s so nice,” Ciganda remarked, likening the ambiance to that of a disco. She shared her contentment at partnering with Emily Pedersen, praising their consistency and the advantageous pairing in terms of playing style. “I want to play with Emily. We hit it pretty similar,” Ciganda stated, underscoring the duo’s synchronicity on the course.
The pair exploited the small mistakes made by their counterparts during the foursomes, capitalizing on opportunities to get ahead. “They made a few mistakes, and we just took advantage, so very happy to get that point for Europe,” Ciganda recounted with fervor.
Solheim Cup 2023: Emily Pedersen praises team’s focus
The fightback from the European side was evident from the preceding afternoon, and Emily Pedersen noted the team’s focus and determination that morning, “We knew what the job is, to go out and get points.” She highlighted the team’s ability to remain present and overcome mistakes, maintaining high spirits throughout the round. “We were really good at staying present… we just kept on fighting, kept the spirits high.”
The momentum shift from the previous day was palpable, with the European duo aiming to mitigate any further advancements by the Americans, who are renowned for their strength and competence in the sport. Ciganda emphasized, “They are tough to beat. They are really strong and they are really good, so we can do this, but we have to play good golf, and we have to be very present.”
The Europeans were determined to start early and secure points ahead of the Americans, a sentiment echoed by Pedersen, “It felt good to go out early… so we can get up and get ahead of the Americans.” The duo manifested relentless vigor, with Ciganda acknowledging that despite the Americans’ steady play and the fast greens that morning, they never let up. “They did make a few putts. The greens are tricky. They were fast this morning, so I think speed was key.”
With her sixth Solheim Cup appearance, Ciganda, bolstered by enthusiastic home support, shared her love for playing in Spain and emphasized her enjoyment of every moment. “I love Spain. This is home for me and it’s just so special to play here with friends, with family.”
In summary, the dynamic European pair of Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda showed resilience and focus to secure an essential point for Europe amidst the charged atmosphere and relentless pressure from the strong American side. The home crowd’s support elevated the experience for Ciganda, making it a memorable round, imbued with determination and national pride. The United States, however, maintains a delicate lead in the Solheim Cup, making the upcoming matches decisive and highly anticipated.
(This article was created with the help of AI)