Alison Lee’s Solheim Cup debut was defined by controversy.
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GAINESVILLE, Va. Solheim Cup it is unlike any other event in women’s golf.
You notice that the first time you step on the first tee box. The grandstands surrounding the machine area stretch endlessly toward the sky, making the ball-snapping players look like gladiators in a coliseum. Noise is the next gift. Come Friday morning, when Team USA and Team Europe arrive for their start times, the atmosphere will rival that of a soccer stadium.
Once those first tee balls are in the air, everything will look different. Even the players can act differently.
Ask Alison Lee. Although she has only played on one Solheim Cup team prior to this week, her initial appearance was a week to remember.
Lee had a stellar rookie campaign in 2015, making 19 interceptions in 23 starts. She finished in the top 10 six times, ranked 14th in scoring average and finished inside the top 25 on the money list. Although she was just a rookie, her play earned her a spot on the US Solheim Cup team.
The week was historic for the Americans as they came back from a 10-6 deficit to win the Cup singles on Sunday, thanks in part to a crucial point from Lee. But the day before, the American novice had unwittingly found herself in center of controversy.
Paired with Brittany Lincicome in a four-ball main on Saturday afternoon, the pair came out on the 17th hole tied with Suzann Petersen and Charley Hull. With the Europeans out, Lee faced a putt to put her side 1 up. Her attempt slid 18 inches past the hole.
Lee, thinking she heard the Europeans concede the short putt and seeing Hull leaving the green, took her ball. That’s when Pettersen returned from the green and claimed the hole had been missed. The moments that followed were equal parts emotional and tense, with Lee and Hull breaking down in tears.
Dylan Dethier
Ultimately, a rules official ruled there was no concession and the Europeans won the hole, earning them a crucial point.
At the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Tuesday, Lee was asked to review her handicap spot with Pettersen.
“I would say at the time it was difficult,” Lee said. “I was very scared at the time. I was a novice at the tournament. I also didn’t know any of the girls on my team. I wasn’t really good friends with them.”
Team USA rallied around the rookie after the controversy. US captain Juli Inkster called Petterson’s behavior “BS” and even European powerhouse Laura Davies predicted Pettersen would “regret” her actions. Pettersen apologized the next day, but the mess would continue.
Lee said Tuesday that she doesn’t think about the moment often, but there also appears to be no love lost between her and Pettersen.
“I’m not going to lie,” Lee said. “I haven’t spoken to him at all since.”
