Pettersen offers apology for Solheim Cup controversy

Suzann Pettersen found herself at the centre of a golfing storm on Sunday morning as the European and American teams completed their delayed fourball matches at the 2015 Solheim Cup. 

Following missed birdie chances from Pettersen and her playing partner Charley Hull, American Alison Lee lined up a 12ft putt for a birdie and a win which would give the US team a 1 hole lead with just 1 hole to play, she missed, hitting the putt to less than a foot.  The Europeans seemed to walk away, which for many in the game signals a given putt. Lee proceeded to pick the ball up.

In fact the Europeans insisted the putt was not given and were awarding the hole going on to win the match 2up. 

Footage of the controversy on the 17th green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVP7x0I5AUQ

The incident left several players in tears following the completion of play and the US team furious. 

On Monday morning Suzann Pettersen issued a statement via her Instagram account apologising for the what happened. 

 

I've never felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down Sunday on the 17th at the Solheim Cup.  I am so sorry for not thinking about the bigger picture in the heat of the battle and competition. I was trying my hardest for my team and put the single match and the point that could be earned ahead of sportsmanship and the game of golf itself! I feel like I let my team down and I am sorry. To the U.S. team, you guys have a great leader in Juli , who I've always looked up to and respect so much. Knowing I need to make things "right," I had a face to face chat with her before leaving Germany this morning to tell her in person how I really feel about all of this. I wanted her also to know that I am sorry. I hope in time the U.S. team will forgive me and know that I have learned a valuable lesson about what is truly important in this great game of golf which has given me so much in my life. To the fans of golf who watched the competition on TV, I am sorry for the way I carried myself. I can be so much better and being an ambassador for this great game means a lot to me. The Solheim Cup has been a huge part of my career. I wish I could change Sunday for many reasons. Unfortunately I can't.  This week I want to push forward toward another opportunity to earn the Solheim Cup back for Europe in the right way. And I want to work hard to earn back your belief in me as someone who plays hard, plays fair and plays the great game of golf the right way.

A photo posted by Suzann Pettersen (@suzannpettersen) on

Sep 21, 2015 at 1:20am PDT

The day ended on a better note for team USA with a stunning comeback seeing them turn around a 4 point deficit to win back the Solheim Cup by 14 1/2 points to Europe's 13 1/2 points. 

What did you make of what happened on the 17th green on Sunday at the Solheim Cup? Please let us know and comment below: