Suzann Pettersen apologizes for role in Solheim Cup controversy

Hours after doubling down on her decision to call a controversial penalty on her opponent in a Solheim Cup match, Suzann Pettersen did an about face, apologizing for her role in the incident.

Pettersen took to Instagram on Monday morning to issue a lengthy apology to the American team, including Alison Lee, who scooped up a 18-inch putt she thought had been conceded by Pettersen or European teammate Charley Hull, when, in fact, that was not the case.

I’ve never felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down Sunday on the 17th at the Solheim Cup.

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.

To the U.S. team, you guys have a great leader in Juli (Inkster) , 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.

The Solheim Cup has been a huge part of my career. I wish I could change Sunday for many reasons. Unfortunately I can’t.

This week I want to push forward toward another opportunity to earn the Solheim Cup back for Europe in the right way. And I want to work hard to earn back your belief in me as someone who plays hard, plays fair and plays the great game of golf the right way.

On the 17th hole of their fourballs — also called best ball — match completed Sunday morning, Lee, who was partnering with Brittany Lincicome, had hit her 8-foot birdie putt to win the 17th hole some 18 inches by the cup. Walking referee Dan Maselli had started to announce the hole had been halved in par. Lee said she heard someone, thinking it was Pettersen or Hull, say the remaining putt was good, conceding the hole would be tied. However, after Lee picked up her ball, Pettersen noticed and called a penalty on Lee, saying neither her nor Hull gave Lee the putt. The Europeans were deemed to win the 17th hole. The shellshocked Americans lost the 18th hole as well to lose the match, setting up a 10-6 European lead heading into the 12 scheduled singles matches.

The Americans ultimately used the incident as motivation to win 8 1/2 of 12 points in completing the biggest comeback in Solheim Cup history.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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