Lexi Thompson’s Shocking Solheim Cup Shank Left Even the Announcers Speechless

There are shanks, and then there are shanks on the 18th hole of a Solheim Cup four-ball match. On Friday evening at Finca Cortesin, fans might have been better off covering their eyes than watching Lexi Thompson’s chip shot on the closing par-5. 

From a nasty side-hill lie in the rough, Thompson had a look at a hole-out for eagle to win the match. An up-and-down would secure the half point for her and her U.S. team partner, Lilia Vu. Leona Maguire—teamed up with England’s Georgia Hall—had holed out for the birdie moments earlier, and all eyes were on the American veteran. 

What happened next was nothing short of shocking. Thompson’s chip shot veered directly to the right off her clubface, nearly hitting her own playing partner and caddie. 

The 28-year-old looked down at the ground in disbelief, a feeling also shared by the Golf Channel announcers calling the action. 

“I’m not even sure I can comment,” said Juli Inkster, a 31-time winner on the LPGA Tour. 

Thompson’s ball went tumbling down the slope of the elevated green, leaving her one last shot at holing out to tie the match. After composing herself, Thompson stuck her next chip to just a few feet, but the result was essentially decided. When Vu’s lag putt for the half-point skirted by the hole, Maguire and Hall officially secured the full point for Team Europe.

Inkster wasn’t able to vocalize her reaction to Thompson’s shot, but social media had no issues. 

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Thompson played in the Friday morning matches as well, alongside Megan Khang. The pair secured a full point for the U.S. team to contribute to the early American sweep. Saturday’s sessions begin at 2 a.m. ET on Golf Channel.