Solheim Cup win for Europe must not paper over slow play issue

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By Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent
There has been much to observe at a stunning Solheim Cup victory that created golf memories that will last a lifetime.
As Suzann Pettersen and the sun shone throw a very long shadow on Gleneagles’ 18th green the game couldn’t have asked for a much better climax.
This is a women’s sporting event which had created crowds and people 90,000 crowds were rewarded with genuine, spine-tingling sporting drama.
This thrilling denouement sits next to those we recall in Ryder Cups at Medinah (2012), Oak Hill (1995) along with Kiawah Island (1991) as well as the Solheim victory at Killeen Castle at 2011.
Really the parallels with this amazing victory in Ireland are tough to ignore. Europe had to win the few singles matches as Catriona Matthew’s staff had to in Scotland on Sunday.
We all wondered what it would imply for women’s golf in Europe going 24, when the dust settled on that victory eight years ago. Would it be the catalyst to regenerate the Ladies European Tour?
The answer was shown to be a resounding’no’, even though having a win a couple of decades later in the United States.
The LET has contracted which its players fight to create a living. So it would be naive to think that the succeed at Gleneagles will create material difference.
But here’s a golden opportunity for the game develop and to develop. Anyone who watched Pettersen’s putt along with the ebbs and flows that preceded it will know about the game’s capability.
Here’s a minute make and to capitalise the heroines of Europe’s victory considerably more recognisable figures within the sporting firmament. It is the very least they deserve.
Pettersen provided the sporting fairytale. She threatens to return after becoming a mom for the very first time with played.
The 38-year-old Allied heads straight back into the shadows but for holding her guts with legendary status.
She is a future Solheim skipper – even for the trophy defence in two years’ time? Equally, Matthew may fancy another crack.
She was an fantastic leader, softly but boldly going about her organization. It was a huge call despite insisting it was never a bet to select Pettersen for a Solheim Cup.
To parachute in a golfer who had competition in a long time took guts that were serious – however, it was an inspired move.
Her choice also exemplifies a lack of strength in depth at the top of the sport. This could have been the subject of the post mortems’d Marina Alex birdied the past and leave Pettersen’s putt irrelevant.
Such are the margins that are fine. The US newcomer missed her putt, Pettersen pounced and the leading women of Europe can spend this week nursing hangovers that were celebratory.
The kind of both Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier (another inspired wildcard) who won four matches from four provide additional cause for celebration – especially for the English player, who has struggled for much of this year.
This is a week to its 23-year-old from Bournemouth, that tenaciously reminded us title.
Gleneagles may establish a career turning point that puts her back on track.
Her compatriot Bronte Law is another who will power on with this succeed. Already real steel was shown by a winner in the LPGA Tour, the participant from Stockport on her debut to grab the win which place Pettersen moment up.
These individual triumphs offer cause for optimism, however also the women’s game must address its pace of play to get any chance of booming.
They shouldn’t, although amid the scenes that are celebratory it would be simple for the miserable six-hour rounds Saturday afternoon to fade in the memory.
Yes states were so brutal, however, there was no explanation.
The men’s European Tour says LET and the LPGA need to get in front of this game although it is becoming tough on the slow trainers, there are on the PGA Tour.
Referees need to authorities pace of play penalties for those who take too long because they’re ruining the spectacle. And Gleneagles Sunday proved golfing – and women’s golf in particular – is watchable.
This creates opportunities build the sport to arrest decrease and make the most of this developing movement for game.
But if the activity is allowed to stay as turgidly slow since it was in the Friday and Saturday fourball sessions then golf doesn’t have any chance of capitalising.
That could be a travesty in the aftermath of a milestone success.

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