Nothing could ever truly remove the stain caused by the actions of Suzann Pettersen at the Solheim Cup on Sunday but credit the Norwegian for doing her level best to try.
The 34-year-old took to Instagram to issue a rambling but plainly heartfelt apology in which she came across as the classic character who wakes up the next morning racked with guilt and wondering what the hell they were thinking.
On Sunday night, Pettersen had stood by her actions of applying the letter of the law to the nth degree and punishing the 20-year-old American rookie Alison Lee for believing that a 16-inch putt had been conceded.
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Suzann Pettersen (right) caused the controversy after refusing to concede a short putt to the Americans
Charley Hull was left in tears following the controversy on the 17th hole at the 14th Solheim Cup
Europe's rising star Hull, 19, was unable to hide her emotions following the shameful scenes
American Alison Lee was also left in tears as the situation at the 14th Solheim Cup got the better of her
Lee is comforted by US team-mate Pat Hurst shortly after she was told her short putt was not conceded
Listening to her and the other apologists in the European camp was both sad and embarrassing. Talk about digging yourself into an even deeper hole.
Now we might never know whether it was something said by one or more of her team-mates within the privacy of the European locker room, a sponsor who pointed out the damage she was doing to her image, or simply the weight of opprobrium she received on social media; but Pettersen on Monday morning was a completely different person to the hard-nosed ice maiden who had foolishly believed she had done nothing wrong.
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ShareThe first thing she did was seek out American captain Juli Inkster to apologise in person. Then she let the rest of the world know the depth of her regret.
Sportsmail had previously posed the question: who would want to be Suzann Pettersen right now? At 9am, we found out just how rotten it felt.
I've never felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down Sunday on the 17th at the Solheim… https://t.co/jri63XVbei
— Suzann Pettersen (@suzannpettersen) September 21, 2015Congrats to Team USA on a tremendous comeback and thank you to our fans for all of the support this week. #TEAMEUROPE
— Suzann Pettersen (@suzannpettersen) September 20, 2015
Pettersen's apology and plea for forgiveness on Instagram amounted to a total of 300 words
Lee (right) saw her shot on the 17th hole roll inches past the hole while her team-mates and opponents watched on
Lee scooped her ball up in the belief she had a concession on the putt, but Pettersen said otherwise
Pettersen's antics meant it was an immediate loss on the hole for the Americans, causing controversy
America captain Juli Inkster said Europe had been 'disrespectful' on the 17th hole
GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE
Rule 2-4/3 of the Rules of Golf covers the situation that happened in the Solheim Cup match and explains why Pettersen should have told Lee to replace her ball and hole out.
It appears as a hypothetical question and answer and reads:
Q: In a match between A and B, B made a statement which B interpreted to mean that A’s next stroke is conceded. Accordingly, A lifted his ball, B then said that he had not conceded A’s next stroke. What is the ruling?
A: If B’s statement could reasonably have led A to think his next stroke had been conceded, in equity (Rule 1-4) A should replace his ball as near as possible to where it lay, without penality.
In addition, under Rule 2-4, Pettersen also had the option to concede the final hole to ensure a halved match at any point while they walked down the 18
‘I’ve never felt more gutted and truly sad about what went down on Sunday on the 17th at the Solheim Cup,’ she began. ‘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 the 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 US team, you guys have a great leader in Juli, who I’ve always looked up to and respect so much.
‘Knowing I needed 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 US team will forgive me and know that I have learned a valuable lesson about what is truly important in this great game . . . I wish I could change Sunday for many reasons but unfortunately I can’t . . . I want to work hard to earn back your belief in me, as someone who plays hard, plays fair and plays the game the right way.’
Pettersen (left) explained to match referee Dan Maselli that she had not conceded the putt
US team captain Inkster (left) also called the situation 'b***s***' as emotion took over the golf course
LPGA referee Maselli informed Lee that her putt was not conceded on the 17th green
How that plays out with the American team we shall have to wait and see but it certainly offers hope the Solheim Cup can move on from this and future editions will not be marked by acts of revenge and recrimination.
There is also one further consolation. Such was the level of hostility directed towards Pettersen, it has laid down a template for future Solheim and Ryder Cups with a strident message emphasising that the vast majority of golfers, whether wearing American red or European blue, are simply not interested in winning at all costs.
The lesson is clear; in this sport, doing the right thing remains far more important than obtaining the right result.
Lee got emotional again on the 18th green after her error in picking up her ball before it was conceded
American Lee left the 17th hole in tears as the Solheim Cup was shrouded in controversy on Sunday
Hull reacts as her birdie putt just misses on the 17th green in her match with Pettersen at St Leon-Rot
The US turned their fury at the incident into a brilliant fightback to win the cup and avoid an unprecedented third straight defeat
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