By Kitrina Douglas BBC Sport Online golf columnist at the Solheim Cup

Patty Sheehan's masterplan came to fruition on Sunday to give the United States victory in the Solheim Cup.

Her tactic of placing her strongest players at the top and bottom of the playing order proved too much for the Europeans to handle.

Giving Juli Inkster top billing provided the US Open champion with the opportunity to play cheerleader once again.

It is a position she relishes.

Inkster has one of the most impressive matchplay records of any player on either team in both amateur and professional golf.

Her easy victory - 4&2 against Raquel Carriedo - played a crucial role in deciding the course of the contest.

It inspired the rest of the squad and seemed to breed the confidence the American team had lacked in Saturday's fourballs.

Sheehan's decision to put Rosie Jones out last up against Europe's inexperienced rookie Karine Icher of France also paid dividends.

Icher was no match for the American stalwart, who is one of the most awkward competitors on the women's tour.

For the European team, the disappointment will be great, particularly as they held a 9-7 lead going into the singles.

It will be worsened by having to sit through the American's victory celebrations during the closing ceremony.

As Britain's Laura Davies said shortly after the match was decided: "The next two hours aren't going to be much fun."

It was a typical understatement from the former world number one.