Sorry can sometimes be the hardest word to say, but not for
Suzann Pettersen who used it four times in a lengthy apology as the Norwegian
golfer sought forgiveness for her part in a row that broke out in women golf's
leading competition between Europe and the U.S.
Pettersen, the
world No.8 and highest-ranked European player in the women's golf rankings,
sparked controversy during the Solheim Cup Sunday after refusing to concede a
putt on the 17th hole of the final fourballs match.
American Alison Lee missed a putt for birdie and then scooped
the ball up with her putter believing Pettersen and her teammate Charley Hull,
who had started walking towards the 18th tee, had conceded the putt.
Pettersen
appealed to the match referee saying she hadn't conceded the putt because it
was more than three feet. The claim drew widespread criticism but under the
rules the hole was awarded to Europe.
"I've never
felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down Sunday on the 17th at the
Solheim Cup," Pettersen said in a post on her Instagram account.
"I am so
sorry for not thinking about the bigger picture in the heat of the battle and
competition. I was trying my hardest for my team and put the single match and
the point that could be earned ahead of sportsmanship and the game of golf
itself!
"I feel like I let my team down and I am sorry."
In a sport that
is well-known for its etiquette and sportsmanship, Pettersen's actions left
teammate Hull and Lee in floods of tears and the Norwegian also revealed she
has personally apologized to USA captain Juli Inkster.
"To the
U.S. team, you guys have a great leader in Juli, who I've always looked up to
and respect so much. Knowing I need to make things 'right,' I had a
face-to-face chat with her before leaving Germany this morning to tell her in
person how I really feel about all of this. I wanted her also to know that I am
sorry.
"I hope in time the U.S. team will forgive me and know that
I have learned a valuable lesson about what is truly important in this great
game of golf which has given me so much in my life.
"To the
fans of golf who watched the competition on TV, I am sorry for the way I
carried myself. I can be so much better and being an ambassador for this great
game means a lot to me."
Following the
furore, Team USA went on to pull off a stunning comeback to win 14½ - 13½ and
Inkster believes the feeling of injustice inspired them to turn the competition
on its head.
"I think
maybe that (incident) just lit the fire a little bit more," she said.
"And I think in their bellies they just wanted to do a little bit more,
and that little bit more got us the Solheim."
Prior to Pettersen's apology, Inkster had described the
Norwegian's actions as "BS [bull***t]," while former European Solheim
Cup captain Mickey Walker called it a "terrible injustice."
Pettersen, a
two-time major winner, spoke to
CNN in the build up to the Solheim Cup, but nothing could have prepared her for
the events that would unfold.
Despite
initially appearing unrepentant about the incident -- Pettersen said she would
"totally" do it again in a press conference afterwards -- the
34-year-old will be hoping she can put the controversy behind her.
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