You’d figure this might be coming.
You’d figure this should have happened sooner.
Surely Suzann Pettersen has to have some sort of moral compass when it comes to pure and simple sportsmanship in golf.
That didn’t look like the case early Sunday morning in Germany when she insisted there was no concession when Alison Lee picked up her ball at the 17th hole and thus “stole” a point for the Euros.
In the end, it only served to motivate the biggest comeback in the history of the Solheim Cup with the U.S. spanking Europe in singles to win the cup.
Pettersen has now apologized. Finally. Maybe it was perhaps some prodding from her management and sponsors as she was about to become the most despicable person in golf.
She had early stood firm, insisting there was no concession and insisting to the match referee that the Europeans wanted that point, which they got.
Maybe she saw what Hall of Famer Laura Davies said after the incident:
“How Suzann can justify that I will never know. We are all fierce competitors but ultimately, it’s unfair. We have to play week-in, week-out together and you do not do something like that to a fellow pro. I am disgusted. I know she is angry and justifying everything but she has let herself down and she has certainly let her team down. I am so glad I’m not on that team this time.”
Pretty strong stuff from Davies.
British Open champ Zach Johnson was short and to the point on his Twitter account:
“What happened on the 17th green is a disgrace to the sport.”
Very strong from one of the game’s best.
There was a huge blowup on social media and basically it was the world against Suzann Pettersen and that something that the folks at Nike probably noticed and may have dropped a hint to her management.
So, finally, Pettersen or someone from her camp, penned this apology on her Instagram account:
“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 and 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’m sorry.”
After the incident, U.S. team Julie Inkster put it best when she said: “That’s B.S……..”
Julie hit it on the head.
As for Pettersen’s so-called apology, she still need to apologize to U.S. team member Alison Lee and Captain Inkster.
Other than that, the apology sounds a like like what Inkster referred to.
10 Comments
Bradley Wilson
I must have missed the change in the rules of golf that permit ‘do overs’ and that not allowing a ‘do over’ is poor sportsmanship. Until now, the sport of golf has always considered following the rules of golf precisely as the highest example of good sportsmanship.
william allen
Does “anyone” remember when Annika chipped in for a birdie to “apparently” win a hole, only to be called for having hit out of turn by the American team and having to replay the shot??? How is that any different??
Gerry Bowlin
A lot different, she played out of turn. No one turned their back and walked off the green. No one said “that’s NOT good” why would you say that?
william allen
Does “anyone” remember when Annika chipped in for a birdie to “apparently” win a hole, only to be called for having hit out of turn by the American team and having to replay the shot??? How is that any different?? Rules of golf are rules of golf,,,
per
I agree its no difference and she did not get an apology from julie Inkster
Steve Schulz
Forget the Solheim Cup just give everybody a “participation” trophy.
Who needs “rules” anyway?
Barry
1. The way, the Referee said the putt was about 2 feet long and he didn’t hear anyone conceded the putt, which is in contrast to what Alason Lee said she thought she heard.
2. It may not have been conveyed to Peterson that a do-over was an option.
3. I see little difference between what she did and what Pat Bradley did to Anaka in an earlier, Solheim Cup, after Anaka holed out from behind the bunker, Bradley The Captin of the American team, claiming she hit out of turn. Resulting in Anaka loosing the hole.
Where was all the American social media then?
Zach Johnson,
By the way, “The Golf channel”, was sickeningly bias in their commentating throughout the telecast.
We had to mute the commenting to enjoy the golf.
Barry McCarthy
I don’t see what all the contervisity is about she picked up the ball when she shouldn’t have. That was it.
Tom
At the very least, it’s poor sportsmanship to walk of the green when your opponent is putting out. Not to mention the fact that it left everyone, including the referee with the impression that the put was good…… Apparently you have no respect for the game’s etiquette either.
Bobsyouruncle
What would Seve have done?
I think it is time to do away wit all of the Cups. What is the point. Only the USA players are “playing for their country”. Possibly, golf should look to a baseball world series model where it is tour versus tour e.g. European, North American, Asian etc.