United States regain Solheim Cup as Leona Maguire proves a point to Europe captain Suzann Pettersen

The United States held off a brave fightback from Europe to win the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2017 in dramatic fashion in Virginia.

World number two Lilia Vu birdied the final two holes at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville to halve her match with Swiss rookie Albane Valenzuela and edge the home side over the line.

Trailing 10-6 heading into Sunday's singles, Charley Hull gave Europe a dream start in the opening match as she thrashed the previously unbeaten world number one Nelly Korda 6 and 4, only for Megan Khang to swiftly close out a 6 and 5 victory over Emily Pedersen.

Georgia Hall’s 4 and 3 win over Alison Lee reduced the deficit to 11-8 before wins for Rose Zhang and Allisen Corpuz over Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist respectively meant the home side needed just one and a half more points from the seven remaining matches.

That apparently simple task proved anything but, however, with Europe narrowly ahead in three of the matches and tied in the other four as they threatened to pull off an extraordinary comeback.

Andrea Lee’s halved match with Olympic silver medallist Esther Henseleit edged the home side within a point of victory only for Celine Boutier to birdie the 18th to beat Lexi Thompson, having been three down with seven to play.

"I feel like I've been playing really great golf all week in practice, and it was a bitter pill to swallow to be sat out for as many sessions as I was, but I thought I had a point to prove today, and I love the Solheim Cup" - Leona Maguire

Leona Maguire’s 4 and 3 win over Ally Ewing kept European hopes alive, as did Maja Stark’s brave par putt on the 18th to halve her match with Lauren Coughlin.

However, Valenzuela was unable to hold on to a two-hole lead against Vu,