Europe's hopes of a first ever victory on American soil disappeared in a desperately disappointing final day for Dale Reid's team in the Solheim Cup at Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota yesterday.

Leading 9-7 overnight, the visitors never really got a glimpse of the five points required for an historic triumph as the Americans romped home by 15½ to 12½.

It was just like the Ryder Cup at Brookline in 1999 when Europe led 10-6 going into the final day, but lost the singles 8½ to 3½.

And it was desperately disappointing for Reid, who had steered the side to victory at Loch Lomond two years ago.

Juli Inkster, the US Open Champion, provided her side with the perfect lead with a 4 and 3 win over European number one Raquel Carriedo at the head of the order, while the winning moment came when Rosie Jones went dormie three up against Karine Icher in the final match.

With seven points already in the bag, the Cup had been regained and America had stretched the lead to 5-2 in the seven meetings.

Europe's points came from Iben Tinning and Sophie Gustafson, while Norway's Suzann Pettersen, the youngest ever European Solheim player, came from dormie five down to claim an extraordinary half-point against Michel Redman and Carin Koch shared the honours with Beth Daniel.

European captain Reid reflected on a bitterly disappointing final day. "We did what we wanted to do yesterday, we wanted to be ahead. But it was a tough week on the rookies."

United States 15½ bt Europe 12½

J Inkster (US) bt R Carriedo (Europe) 4 and 3, L Diaz (US) bt P Marti (Europe) 5 and 3, E Klein (US) bt H Alfredsson (Europe) 2 and 1, I Tinning (Europe) bt K Kuehne (US) 3 and 2, M Redman (US) and S Pettersen (Europe) halved, W Ward (US) and A Sorenstam (Europe) halved, K Robbins (US) bt M Hjorth (Europe) 5 and 3, S Gustafson (Europe) bt C Kerr (US) 3 and 2, M Mallon (US) bt L Davies (Europe) 3 and 2, Pat Hurst (US) bt M McKay (Europe) 4 and 2, C Koch (Europe) and B Daniel (US) halved, R Jones (US) bt K Icher (Europe) 3 and 2.