Kerr concedes singles match due to injury

• By Randall Mell
• Sep 25, 2011 7:29 AM ET

DUNSANY, Ireland – With Cristie Kerr unable to play because of a wrist injury Sunday morning, the Americans conceded her singles match to Karen Stupples at the Solheim Cup.

Kerr was in obvious pain hitting balls on the range before the match, where her right wrist was examined. She walked off the range in tears. The concession was announced to the crowd after Kerr failed to show at the first tee.

"I did all that I could do," an emotional Kerr told Golf Channel. "I played through a considerable amount of pain and gave it all I had." 

U.S. captain Rosie Jones said Kerr informed her that her right wrist was bothering her after Thursday’s opening ceremony. According to the captain’s agreement, players cannot be replaced once the opening ceremonies begin.

Kerr isn’t sure how she hurt herself. Her husband, Erik Stevens, told GolfChannel.com Saturday that they speculated she might have hurt it while carrying luggage on the way to Ireland. Kerr, however, said after her concession that she doesn't believe she hurt it that way. Stevens described it as a strain. Still, Kerr played in all four matches Friday and Saturday, going 2-1-1 in those matches.

Kerr said the she was in constant contact with Jones regarding her injury, telling her before and after each session that she was capable of playing, even stating Friday that she believed the wrist was getting better.

“I was checking her every day to see if she could go,” Jones said. “I was checking, checking and checking.

“We have worried about her playing since Friday morning. She started inflammatories on Friday night and she felt better. I checked with her every day to see if she could go. The wrist is just fatigued, and it’s too painful. She can’t pick up the club.”

Stupples was disappointed.

"I'm gutted for her, and I'm gutted for me," Stupples said. "I think we would have had a fantastic game."

European captain Alison Nicholas added: "It's devastating for both Karen and her, because Karen's not very experienced in the singles, you know. But I had no idea Cristie was injured. So, obviously, I'm sorry for her."

The concession gave Europe a 9-8 overall lead. Europe needs to win 14 1/2 points to win the Cup while the U.S. needs 14 points to retain the trophy.