A morning deficit, an afternoon surge

With 12 points at stake in singles play, the U.S. needed just 5 ½ to secure the Cup. That goal looked distant when the scoreboard showed Americans trailing in nine matches after the opening nine holes.

But under the guidance of Captain Suzy Whaley, the team turned the tide.

“We were down first thing this morning for a long time, and these kids just fought so hard and they got the job done. They saw a sea of blue on the leaderboard and knew exactly where they stood. They showed grit, perseverance and did not give up.”

Fang and Talley deliver early points

Stanford commit Anna Fang struck first, cruising to a 5 & 3 victory over Spain’s Nagore Martinez. She was one of the only Americans leading at the turn, and her steady play helped ignite the comeback.

Fellow future Cardinal Asterisk Talley, the No. 12 amateur in the world, followed with a tense 1-up victory over England’s Charlotte Naughton, who nearly erased a four-hole deficit late in the match.

Feng clinches the Cup, Coleman makes it official

Among the decisive performances were those of Rayee Feng (N.J.) and Hamilton Coleman (Ga.), both of whom promised their captain in the morning that they’d “get the job done.”

Feng, one of Whaley’s captain’s picks, flipped her match with consecutive birdies on Nos. 9 and 10 before closing it out on the 15th green — unknowingly delivering the clinching point.

“I actually did not know it was the last point needed. A lot of my teammates were there cheering because they knew it was the winning point. It’s been amazing playing for this country and on this team.”

Coleman soon followed with his own win.

“That was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. You know, not only am I playing for myself but I’m also playing for my country.”

Europe battles to the end

Team Europe claimed 4 ½ points in singles, highlighted by Frenchman Hugo Le Goff’s 4 & 3 victory over U.S. boys’ No. 1 Miles Russell.

“I’m very proud of my team,” said European Captain Stephen Gallacher. “They fought extremely hard until the end, and they are not only fantastic golfers but also fantastic human beings. Their body language, commitment to the team from every one of them was so professional.”

A celebration and a sendoff

For Whaley, the triumph was years in the making.

“Being a captain of a team holds a lot of responsibility, but it wasn’t just me. This was a team effort for Team USA to bring that Cup home and set the tone for tomorrow’s Ryder Cup, and that’s exactly what we did.”

The victorious U.S. squad will head to Farmingdale to attend the Ryder Cup opening day at Bethpage Black, carrying momentum from their week in Glen Cove.