BERLIN — Europe’s Suzann Pettersen has apologized for her controversial behavior at the Solheim Cup Sunday.



Pettersen said that a putt on the 17th green had not been conceded when the USA’s Alison Lee picked up her ball, meaning the Americans lost the hole.



She was widely criticized and has now posted on social media to say “sorry for not thinking about the bigger picture in the heat of the battle.”



“I’ve never felt more gutted and truly sad,” added the 34-year-old Norwegian. Four-time major winner Laura Davies said she was “disgusted” by Pettersen’s action, while US captain Juli Inkster thought it was “disrespectful.”



Pettersen was playing in the fourballs with Charley Hull against Lee and Brittany Lincicome when the incident took place, the European pair going on to win the match.



The Americans thought the putt on the 17th hole had been conceded as Hull walked away after Lee rolled her ball close with the previous effort.



The US then recovered from 10-6 down to win eight and a half points from 12 singles matches to regain the trophy it last lifted in 2009.



Pettersen added: “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. I feel like I let my team down.



“I have learned a valuable lesson about what is truly important in this great game.”



Pettersen had Sunday said she had no regrets over her part in the incident. ” We are all trying to win,” the world No. 8 told reporters. “It was very clear from Charley and me that we wanted to see the putt (taken),” added Pettersen, a veteran of eight Solheim Cup campaigns.



European captain Carin Koch pointed out it was the Americans who had erred. “We didn’t feel like we did anything wrong,” said the Swede. — Agencies