I often tell people that if you’re considering getting into golf or want to watch more of it, match play is the perfect place to start, and this year’s Solheim Cup will be no exception.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia plays host to this year’s match between the USA and Europe. The USA holds a 10-7 advantage in Solheim Cup competition, with one draw last year when Europe retained the Solheim Cup after tying 14-14 with the USA at Finca Cortesin, Andalusia, Spain.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor the first time since 2002, the Solheim Cup returns to even-numbered years after the Ryder Cup switched to an odd-year schedule after 2020 due to the pandemic.
Held every two years, the Solheim Cup has become the most coveted trophy in women’s professional golf team competition.
Some of the sport’s most unforgettable moments have occurred during past Solheim Cups, and earning a spot on either the European or USA team is highly sought after by players from both sides.
The USA enters this year’s Solheim Cup as the clear favorite, with home advantage playing a significant role in match play golf. With an expected 90% American crowd, the atmosphere could be quite intimidating and isolating for European players on the course.
As Europe aims to retain the trophy for a fourth consecutive time, there’s no doubt the American crowd will be more supportive of their side than ever.
European Team:
Embed from Getty ImagesEurope’s captain, Suzann Pettersen, leads the team once again, as she did last year in Spain. Despite holding the trophy since 2017, Pettersen acknowledges that her team is the underdog heading into this year’s competition.
“Playing away is a tough task to get this done for the fourth time but the players are up for it.”
Pettersen’s European side certainly doesn’t lack experience, with 10 of her players having competed in the Solheim Cup before, many on multiple occasions. This seasoned lineup could prove crucial as they face the challenge of playing in front of a predominantly American crowd.
Celine Boutier (2019, 2021,2023), Carlota Ciganda (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), Linn Grant (2023), Georgia Hall (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), Charley Hull (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), Leona Maguire (2021, 2023), Anna Nordqvist (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 (playing vice captain)), Emily Pedersen (2017, 2021, 2023), Madelene Sagstrom (2017, 2021, 2023), Maja Stark (2023)
Esther Henseleit and Albane Valenzuela join the European team as the two rookies. Henseleit made history as the first European to win a medal in the Olympic women’s golf competition, earning silver in France.
Meanwhile, Valenzuela showcased her talent earlier this year with a stunning nine-under-par 63 in the final round to finish second at the Honda LPGA Thailand.
USA Team:
Embed from Getty ImagesThe USA team has a similar story, with 10 players having previous Solheim Cup experience. Rookies Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel will be making their debuts for Stacy Lewis’s side.
Coughlin has had a standout year on tour, claiming victories at both the Women’s Canadian Open and the Women’s Scottish Open. Meanwhile, Schmelzel has been a model of consistency, securing seven top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour this year, including a strong performance at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, where she also finished inside the top 10.
Both rookies bring impressive form to the USA team for the Solheim Cup.
Allisen Corpuz (2023), Ally Ewing (2019, 2021, 2023), Megan Khang (2019, 2021, 2023), Nelly Korda (2019, 2021, 2023), Jennifer Kupcho (2021, 2023), Alison Lee (2015), Andrea Lee (2023), Lexi Thompson (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), Lilia Vu (2023), Rose Zhang (2023)
American captain Stacy Lewis expressed her admiration for Lexi Thompson. Thompson’s experience and competitive spirit will be crucial as the USA aims to reclaim the trophy on home soil.
“The way she is with the crowd and the fans, this event is Lexi to a tee. She plays better golf here and gets more excited to play golf here. She’s going to do whatever it takes to win and I wish I had 12 of her.”
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth teams blend seasoned players with fresh talent, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
Following the conclusion of the AIG Women’s Open, the final major of the season, Team Europe’s form heading into this year’s Solheim Cup looks less promising.
Only two European players, Celine Boutier and Charley Hull, are ranked inside the top 20 in the women’s world rankings. Linn Grant and Leona Maguire are the only Europeans on the team to have secured wins this year, both on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
In contrast, the USA boasts five players in the top 20, with Nelly Korda, Lauren Coughlin, Rose Zhang, and Lilia Vu all claiming victories on tour this season, making it hard to bet against the Americans.
There are no guarantees in match-play golf, and anything can happen when you’re playing for more than just yourself. The excitement of the Solheim Cup stems from the team camaraderie, the passion of the crowd cheering for their side, and the unique thrill of match play golf, which we rarely get to see.
No doubt, this year’s Solheim Cup will continue the incredible rise of women’s golf. With both teams bringing formidable talent, the pairings and individual match-ups will be an intriguing watch all weekend. Fans can expect thrilling performances as these top players battle for supremacy on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
Swing and Hope 
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