Pettersen apologises for Solheim Cup actions

The Norwegian was playing fourballs with Charley Hull against Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome when the controversial incident happened.

Pettersen apologises for Solheim Cup actions

Suzann Pettersen has said she is "gutted and truly sad" about the part she played in the controversy surrounding the Solheim Cup on Sunday.

The Norwegian was playing in a fourball with Charley Hull when American opponent Alison Lee picked her ball up thinking the Europeans had conceded her putt.

Pettersen insisted she hadn't conceded, despite walking away from the green with Hull, resulting in the Americans losing the hole on the 17th.

Writing on Instagram today, Pettersen admitted she was wrong and that she hoped the American team, who won the tournament, could forgive her

Pettersen said: "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"

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Lee's putt rollled to within 18 inches of the hole, at which point Pettersen and Hull began to walk away, appearing to intimate that they were conceding the putt.

The match referee was called in after Pettersen said they hadn't told Lee she could pick her ball up and he awarded the hole to the Europeans.

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American captain Juli Inkster told Sky Sports 4: "I've never seen in my career anything like that. I'm telling you right now - it's just not right - you just don't do that to your peers."

The Americans trailed 10-6 after the fourballs, but won 14.5 to 13.5 at St Leon-Rot GC in Germany after the singles.

Pettersen, who was beaten 2&1 by Angela Stanford in her singles match, added: "I hope in time the US 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."