014홀 차 열세 극복한 대역전극… 앨리슨 리, 솔하임컵 역사 새로 쓰다

미국 대표팀의 앨리슨 리가 2026 솔하임컵 마지막 날 싱글 매치에서 대회 역사상 가장 극적인 역전승을 거두며 이번 대회를 4전 전승으로 마감했다. 13일 네덜란드 크롬포르트의 베르나르두스 골프장에서 열린 대회 최종일, 유럽팀의 에스더 헨젤라이트를 상대한 앨리슨 리는 경기 초반 4홀 차까지 뒤지며 위기에 몰렸으나 12번 홀(파4) 버디를 시작으로 무서운 추격전을 펼친 끝에 1홀 차 역전승을 거두었다.

미국팀은 비록 유럽팀에 우승컵을 내주었지만, 앨리슨 리의 활약은 단연 빛났다. 그는 솔하임컵 역사상 패배한 팀 소속으로 단 한 번의 패배나 무승부 없이 4승 이상(4-0-0)을 거둔 최초의 선수가 됐다. 통산 세 번째 솔하임컵 출전인 앨리슨 리는 지난 두 번의 대회에서 거둔 2승(2승 5패)을 넘어 이번 대회에서만 포섬·포볼·싱글 매치를 싹쓸이하며 통산 전적을 6승 5패로 뒤집는 데 성공했다.

경기 후 앨리슨 리는 "전반 라운드 동안 비가 내려 거리 감각을 잡기 어려웠지만 끝까지 내 플레이를 유지하려 노력했다"며 "리더보드에 유럽팀의 푸른색이 가득한 것을 보고 내 매치만은 미국의 붉은색으로 바꾸기 위해 최선을 다했다"고 소감을 밝혔다. 미국팀의 안젤라 스탠퍼드 단장 역시 "4홀 차 열세에서 끝내 경기를 뒤집은 앨리슨 리의 집중력과 경기력은 정말 대단했다"며 아낌없는 찬사를 보냈다.

출산 후 어린 아들 및 부모님과 함께 이번 대회에 동행한 앨리슨 리는 "가족들의 헌신적인 육아 지원 덕분에 편안하게 잠을 자며 경기에만 집중할 수 있었다"며 "가족들이 지켜보는 가운데 개인적으로 의미 있는 대기록을 작성하게 되어 더욱 뜻깊다"고 감사한 마음을 전했다.

02Original (English) — LPGA

Alison Lee of Team United States celebrate after winning her match on the 18th green during the Sunday singles matches of the Solheim Cup 2026 at Bernardus Golf on September 13, 2026 in Cromvoirt, Netherlands.

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Alison Lee staged the biggest singles comeback in Solheim Cup history, overcoming a 4-down deficit to defeat Europe's Esther Henseleit and round out an extraordinary individual performance.

Despite the American team coming up short overall, Lee had a standout performance, becoming the first player in Solheim Cup history to go 4-0-0 or better for a losing team. Making her third Solheim Cup appearance, she improved her overall record to 6-5-0, dramatically eclipsing the two total points she had earned across her previous two events combined. Her perfect week was highlighted by two victories over Europe's team of Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Celine Boutier, and a win over Charley Hull and Lottie Woad before her singles triumph.

Lee faced early adversity in her singles match, trailing by four holes before finding her rhythm with a birdie on the par-4 12th hole, capitalizing on a rare mistake by Henseleit to win the hole mounting her historic charge and eventual 1-up victory.

"I just did my best to stay consistent," Lee said. "That front nine was pretty tough with the rain coming down. I feel like I was hitting a lot of good shots. I couldn't quite gauge how far everything was going."

While it was an impressive fightback, the U.S. team ultimately couldn't turn the tide in Sunday's singles matches.

"I definitely kept an eye on the leaderboard the whole round," Lee said. "I did see a lot of blue up there, but I just did the best I can to change mine to red, and thankfully I was able to pull it off."

U.S. captain Angela Stanford praised Lee's resiliency and execution down the stretch.

"What she did today was phenomenal, and she doesn't get to walk away with the Cup," Stanford said. "It doesn't seem fair being in a team atmosphere that — I mean, she was a stud this week... mama came back and she was 4-0. I'm so happy for her."

Stanford recalled checking in on Lee mid-match on the 12th fairway before watching the comeback unfold.

"I walked up to her on 12 fairway, and I was like, 'All right. Well, you know, tell me what's going on.' She's like, 'I'm hitting good shots. I just had a hard time with the distances a little bit. But I think I'm okay.' I'm like, 'All right. Well, you got plenty of time. Just one at a time. You'll be fine.' And then the next thing I know, I'm walking to 17 because she's all square."

Beyond the stats and historic scorecards, having her family on hand made the week truly unforgettable.

"My parents were nice enough to bring my son out on the first tee," Lee said. "I didn't think they would because the first day the weather was tough, and it's always tough bringing a baby out here. It's not easy. But, oh, it's just nice to have my whole family here. My son's here, watching and cheering me on. My parents as well. They helped me out a lot this week. I was able to sleep. They did all the babysitting."

She left with an improved career record and memories shared with those who matter most.

"My record coming in this week was 2-5," Lee said. "That's something I realized coming in, and I was hoping to do the best I can to flip it around. So, to be able to change that to now be in the positives, it feels really good."

For Lee, achieving a historic personal turnaround with her parents and young son on hand created moments worth their weight in red, white, and blue.

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