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Boutier and Hall fightback sets up Solheim Cup cliffhanger

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AFP Gleneagles (UK)
Last Updated : Sep 15 2019 | 10:20 AM IST

Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall were the European heroines on Saturday as Europe desperately clung on to the hope of regaining the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.

After a punishing series of fourballs in blustery, cold weather, the Americans emerged as 2.5-1.5 winners to leave the score tied at 8-8 going into Sunday's final 12 singles.

As holders, the US team needs to win six of the matches to claim the trophy for the third year in a row.

With all four matches going to the final two holes, fortunes swung to and fro.

At one stage, the visitors were ahead in every match.

But Boutier, the French rookie, and Hall, the 2018 Women's British Open Champion, staged a magnificent comeback against Ally McDonald and Angel Yin to claim a vital full point.

Four down after seven holes and still three down with five to play, Hall and Boutier won the next four on the trot to take a one hole lead and they added another at the 18th for a two hole victory.

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Boutier produced three stunning highlights -- she holed from 20 feet for an eagle two at the short, par 4 14th and then made birdies at the 16th and 18th.

Hall and 25-year-old Frenchwoman Boutier have won three out of three matches.

"It's a great way to start my Solheim career. I had a great partner. The eagle was important -- it kept us right in it," said Boutier.

Hall said the conditions were line playing an extra adversary.

"We didn't make the best of starts, but it was horrendous out there. We just had to dig deep and I am so happy," she said.

- 'Real battle' -
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"The weather was awful -- I have never been so cold -- but so excited to win."
"I'm ecstatic to be tied and so proud of my team in these tough conditions. Now it is all to play for."

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First Published: Sep 15 2019 | 10:20 AM IST

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