CATRIONA MATTHEW'S stunning European stars won the Solheim Cup in a magnificent fashion with a memorable victory of 15-13 in Ohio.

Although it was the second victory for Europe in ten attempts on US soil, they were the ones who led from the beginning to make fun of their underdog status.

Matthew was the first European captain ever to win two times. The Scot received a flood of messages from Ryder Cup stars, including Jon Rahm and Ian Poulter, wishing him well.

Europe led 9-7 in the singles. They made the perfect start with the first three points of the board. Celine Boutier, Madelene Sagstrom and Leona Maguire won crushing victories.

Matthew's team has seen Maguire as a true star, being the first Irish golfer in the Solheim Cup. It was therefore no surprise that Maguire beat Jennifer Kupcho, a fellow newcomer.

After just seven holes Maguire was up four as she followed the eagle at hole two with three birdies. She was unflinching in her victory, winning 5&4.

This made it four and a quarter points out of five possible - an incredible record for rookies from either team.

Sagstrom was the one who received the controversial ruling of day one. Officials decided that she had grabbed Nelly Korda’s ball from the hole's edge and returned it to her, without waiting ten seconds to see whether it would drop.

Sagstrom was supported by many who believed the ball was not teetering at the edge. She still felt guilty for letting the team down, but she said that she was not blaming herself.

After defeating Ally Ewing, Korda's partner in the heated fourball match, she felt a little bit of revenge.

The Swede took 3&2 home to make it 11-7 to Europe. It quickly turned into 12-7 when Celien Boutier of France defeated Mina Harigae 5&4.

American golfers finally saw the scoreboard move as Lexi Thompson (USA) and Ann Niordquist (USA) shared the spoils in their first match at the course. This was a repeat of their 2017 shootout that also ended all square.

The home team was awarded their first point of the day when Nelly Korda, World No 1, beat Georgia Hall one to one. Europe needed the remaining seven matches for the trophy to be retained.

These events are not without their fair share of squeaky bum moments. Matthew was worried for the first-time since Europe had a three point lead in the opening foursomes 48hrs earlier, when Megan Khang & Yealimi Noh led the way over Sophia Popov & Mel Reid.

The lower order was able to meet the challenge. They were beaten by Nanna Koerstz Madsen, a rookie Finn, who was only half-way through the race. Matilda Carsten's six-foot downhiller won them the victory and gave them the 14 points needed to keep the trophy.

The outright win was secured by Emily Pedersen's victory at the final match.