Cristie Kerr could not compete on Sunday because of injury. Europe was awarded the point. Picture by Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieUnited States captain Rosie Jones said she had no regrets about playing Cristie Kerr in the first four sessions after the US player was forced to withdraw injured from Sunday’s Solheim Cup singles.

The third-ranked Kerr was suffering from tendinitis in her right wrist and unable to start against England’s Karen Stupples in the last of 12 singles matches.

Europe was awarded the point and went on to win the Solheim Cup 15-13 at Killeen Castle. As holders, the US only needed 14 points to retain the trophy.

“Not second guessing myself,” Jones said. “Cristie and I were in cahoots the entire time, the entire tournament, basically, about her wrist.  She let me know about it, and we were doing everything we could to make sure that she was in tip top shape to play.  

“When it came down to playing, she was ready.  She felt good.  She played well, and she wanted to go again.

“I checked with her every single match to make sure.  The last thing I did right before I submitted my pairings was to check on Cristie, because she was playing in some of the last matches, to make sure she was ready to go.  She felt good.  She played well.

“Unfortunately, overnight the inflammation was too much and we lost the opportunity for her to play today.  You know, you never know when that’s going to happen.  

“I’ve been injured a lot in the last ten years in my career and sometimes you wake up and you just have a new little kink.  Her little kink got worse overnight, and that’s basically what happened.”

Kerr broke down in tears during the warm up when it became apparent that she would be unable to play any part in the final day.

“I’m devastated that I couldn’t play today,” Kerr said. “I tried my best but I couldn’t hold the golf club.”

Jones said she had been worried about Kerr since Friday morning.

“She started anti-inflammatories on Friday night and felt better,” Jones said.  “I checked her every day to see if she could go.

“The wrist is just fatigue and it’s too painful. She can’t pick up the club … We considered a change Friday morning but she was fine then.”

Kerr’s withdrawal meant that Stupples earned her first Solheim Cup singles point having lost to Meg Mallon at Crooked Stick, Indiana, in her only previous appearance in 2005.

Europe achieved its first Solheim Cup victory since 2003 thanks to a strong finish to the singles.

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen came from one down with birdies at the last three holes to beat Michelle Wie by one hole.

Caroline Hedwall of Sweden - two down with two to play - earned a crucial halved match to give Europe a 14-13 lead when rookie Ryann O’Toole bogeyed the 17th and 18th.

Spanish rookie Azahara Muñoz beat Angela Stanford by one hole in the final singles to give its Europe’s first victory since 2003.

The United States, which leads the series 8-4, will try to win back the trophy at Colorado Golf Club in Denver in 2013.