History was made on Friday at the 2023 Solheim Cup as Team Europe’s Emily Pedersen sank the second-ever hole-in-one in golf tournament history. Pedersen’s incredible ace occurred on the par-3 12th hole at Finca Cortesin’s iconic course in Andalucia, Spain. This remarkable feat not only etched her name in the annals of Solheim Cup history but also gave Team Europe the much-needed boost to regain momentum during the afternoon wave of Day 1.
The last hole-in-one at the Solheim Cup took place a decade ago when Anna Nordqvist aced the par-3 17th on Day 2 at the Colorado Golf Club. With Pedersen’s achievement, only two players have accomplished this remarkable feat throughout the 19 editions of the tournament.
Prior to Pedersen’s ace, the morning foursome wave had been rather lackluster for Team Europe, who suffered a 4-0 defeat to the dominant Team USA led by Lexi Thompson. However, the afternoons’ four-ball session showcased a different side of the Europeans.
Pedersen’s tee shot on the 12th hole ricocheted off the left side of the green, taking an unexpected angle down the slope before elegantly finding its way into the hole. This incredible shot brought her match alongside Maja Stark against Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Allisen Corpuz into an exhilarating tie.
The celebration that ensued after Pedersen’s hole-in-one was truly remarkable. She leaped into her caddie’s arms, embracing Stark tightly before sharing high fives with everyone involved, including the great sport that Corpuz proved to be.
In that very moment, the energy on the course noticeably shifted. Pedersen’s remarkable shot was not her only highlight of the day. On the 11th hole, she almost holed out from the fairway, further solidifying her exceptional performance during the afternoon wave.
With Pedersen’s ace injecting a surge of motivation, Team Europe bounced back from their morning struggles. The Europeans now find themselves in a highly competitive afternoon session, closely trailing Team USA. Pedersen’s incredible achievement might just be the catalyst that propels Team Europe to turn the tide and make the competition even more intriguing.
The post “Emily Pedersen’s Historic Hole-in-One Ignites Momentum for Team Europe at the 2023 Solheim Cup” first appeared on the European News Global.
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