The second playing of The Solheim Cup figured to be little different than the first – a rout it was, but not in the way most expected it to unfold. The Europeans, up by only a point entering the singles matches, pulled out gutsy victory after gutsy victory, including 2&1 defeats of Patty Sheehan and Betsy King by Trish Johnson and Liselotte Neumann, respectively. Meg Mallon (3&2 to Catrin Nilsmark), Dottie Pepper (3&2 to Dale Reid) and Pat Bradley (4&3 to Pamela Wright) were also surprising losers in the singles matches as Europe swelled to an 11¹/₂ - 6¹/₂ victory.

“We didn’t just beat them,” European Captain Mickey Walker said. “We outplayed them totally. I really believe that when they came over here they thought they would win comfortably. Now I think they’re in shock. So am I, for a different reason.”

Laura Davies was the rock on which the European team laid its foundation. Davies, a seasoned veteran, served not only as a point of inspiration all week, but also backed up her words with the only 3-0-0 mark in the matches that year.

“If Laura played with that level of intensity and commitment every week, she’d win six times a year and $10 million,” said one LPGA official.