PGA Results: 2011 Solheim Cup

This weekend presented two very entertaining offerings from the pro golf world, The ladies' Solheim Cup and of course the PGA Tour's Tour Championship.  A great weekend of amazing golf to say the least. Solheim Cup The Solheim Cup is essentially the women's version of the Ryder Cup, pitting a European ladies team against an American ladies team.  The Cup is contested every other year like the Ryder Cup, but on odd numbered years.  This year's cup was contested at Killeen Castle in County Mean, Ireland. The U.S. Team has held the Solheim Cup for nearly a decade, having won the cup at every playing since 2003.  After two days the points total was tied at eight points each.  The European team won day one 4.5-3.5 and the USA team won day two 4.5-3.5.  But the European team, led by Sophie Gustafson and a surging Suzann Pettersen took back the cup after winning the final singles round 7-5. A very exciting and crucial match was between American Michelle Wie and European player Suzann Pettersen.  The match was a brawl which got very intense in the final holes.  Each player traded big punches.  Pettersen's intensity and concentration was amazing down the stretch as she birdied the last three holes to win 1UP in the key match. The momentum went Europe's way at that point and they won 15-13. PGA Tour - FedEx Cup - Tour Championship The final FedEx Cup playoff event, the Tour Championship was equally intense this weekend.  There were any of a number of players in the field, who could win or even just place high enough to win the Cup and the $10 million prize money.  Luke Donald, Jason Day, K.J. Choi, Adam Scott and a few others all had legitimate chances to bring home the prize, but it came down to a two man playoff between Hunter Mahan and Bill Haas. Playoff Bill Haas and Hunter Mahan were the only two left standing, and both would capture the FedEx Cup and Tour Championship trophies and prize money with a win in the playoff.  These two 29 year old players were dueling for a total of $11.4 million dollars. The playoff was very entertaining, as each player showed signs that the pressure was setting in.  The first extra hole, the par-3 17th, each player flared right of the green but managed great up-and-downs to make par and extend the playoff.  Then on the 2nd playoff hole, the par-4 17th, one of the best shots of the year was recorded by Bill Haas.  Bill hit the fairway bunker, then flew his 150 yard approach too deep and too far left for the green which had a water hazard guarding it.  His ball trickled down a 10 foot hill just into the hazard, but half the ball was above the surface of the water.  Mahan must have certainly felt that the prize was his. Then came the shot of the year, or at least what should be called the $10 million shot by Bill Haas.  With his right foot submerged in the water hazard and his head 3-4 feet below the putting surface, he blasted an open faced wedge like a sand shot.  The ball landed softly and spun like he'd hit a full wedge from 100 yards, stopping within a couple of feet for an easy par putt.  The hole is tied and they go back to the par-3 18th. This time on the par-3 18th, Mahan hit the right greenside bunker and failed to get up and down for par.  Haas two-putted from the back fringe and it was over.  He was the $11.4 million dollar man. Haas is the 2011 FedEx Cup and Tour Champion.