GAINESVILLE, Va. – The 19th version of the Solheim Cup begins Friday at Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership with 4 foursomes adopted by 4 fourballs. They’ll repeat that order on Saturday after which play 12 singles matches on Sunday.
Europe is the defending champion – although, not technically. Reigning can be a greater phrase as Europe tied the U.S. final yr in Spain to retain the cup, which it outright gained in 2021 and 2019.
The usually biennial competitors is being contested in back-to-back years as organizers get it on an even-year schedule (away from the Ryder Cup’s odd years).
So, there you go, a quick need-to-know. Need extra on the U.S. workforce, simply click on on the hyperlink. Similar for the Euros, the format and historical past, all of the previous winners and the way to watch.
However earlier than you get up early Friday morning to see that first ball struck, listed below are some huge questions (and some attainable solutions) for each side:
Who’s the Solheim Cup favourite?
First captain to the touch her nostril and say, “Not it!” will get to be the underdog.
Each Stacy Lewis (U.S.) and Suzann Pettersen (Europe) are returning as workforce leaders, and neither is staking declare because the one to beat.
“I believe enjoying away, you’re all the time an underdog,” Pettersen mentioned. “I believe that’s how we’ve all the time checked out it. Yeah, for those who take a look at the earlier three Solheims, we’ve come out on the excessive aspect, and we’re going to try to hold that going for certain. On the similar time, being away, I’m very comfortable to form of go away the strain to the People to say they’re the house favorites.”
Of that, there is no such thing as a ambiguity: The strain is on U.S. shoulders – even when they’re making an attempt to degree it.
The People haven’t held the cup since 2017. Lewis is making an attempt to keep away from turning into the primary U.S. captain to not win in a number of makes an attempt. And whereas enjoying at house can present an enormous benefit, it will possibly additionally up the expectation ante.
The U.S. wish to convey the team-room vibe onto the course.
“I believe this yr’s workforce chemistry has been actually nice thus far,” mentioned Andrea Lee, making her second straight look for the U.S. aspect. “I’ve by no means laughed tougher this week than I’ve in some other event week.”
There’s karaoke and dancing, Sarah Schmelzel in a bald-eagle onesie. It’s a free tone set by Lewis, whom vice-captain Angela Stanford says does a fantastic job of balancing foolish and critical.
“I don’t really feel any strain after I’m in that workforce room or after I’m across the ladies,” Lewis mentioned. “I don’t suppose they really feel strain. I don’t really feel strain.”
At the very least not on Wednesday.
So, who’s the favourite? It’s the U.S.
Residence groups are 12-5-1 in cup historical past, and this squad, once more, sports activities heavier paper weight:
- U.S.: 4 LPGA winners in 2024; Europe: None
- U.S.: 9 gamers within the prime 25 of the LPGA’s season-long Race to the CME; Europe: 1
Being the pre-tournament favourite issues little on Wednesday, Thursday and even Friday. However this isn’t an occasion the U.S. ought to win; it’s one they need to.
Who has the sting within the completely different periods?
Latest historical past tells us this: Europe has the benefit in all three codecs. Since ending the People’ run of three straight wins from 2005-09, Europe has outpointed the U.S. in foursomes six of the final seven cups and 4 instances in fourballs. In singles throughout that stretch, it’s Europe’s edge: 3-1-3.
It provides as much as Europe being 4-2-1, total, since 2011.
Final yr was a bit completely different, nonetheless, because the U.S. swept the morning foursomes and gained these two periods, 6-2. Europe gained fourballs, 6-2. They usually tied singles, 6-6.
When the U.S. has gained – or in final yr’s case, tied – it has finished so by dominating codecs, significantly singles. In 2017, the U.S. gained fourballs, 7-1. In 2015 (one other U.S. victory), it dominated singles, 8 ½ – 3 ½ (overcoming a 4-point Sunday deficit).
Throughout that threepeat within the aughts, the U.S. gained singles by a complete of 12 factors.
Are there any built-in pairings?
The general groups are predominantly the identical, yr over yr. There are three new U.S. gamers (Lauren Coughlin, Schmelzel and Alison Lee) in comparison with ’23 and two new faces for Europe (Esther Henseleit and Albane Valenzuela).
Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz went 2-0 in foursomes final yr as did Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang. Europe used the combos of Linn Grant-Maja Stark, Celine Boutier-Georgia Corridor and Leona Maguire-Anna Norqvist for each foursomes, and solely the Swedes produced a degree.
The fourball groups have been extra diversified for each side. Europe solely stored one workforce collectively for each better-ball periods and that duo of Grant-Carlota Ciganda went 2-0. The U.S. didn’t double up on groups within the format.
Who is that this yr’s Carlota Ciganda for Europe?
Ciganda was final yr’s Maguire, who was 2021’s Corridor and Boutier.
Enjoying in her house nation, Spain’s Ciganda went 4-0 to guide Europe to a retention. Two years prior, in her debut, Eire’s Maguire went 4-0-1 to assist Europe efficiently defend. And two years earlier than that, England’s Corridor and France’s Boutier every went 4-0 to wrest away the cup.
In case you’re searching for somebody new on the Euro aspect, it may very well be Grant. She’s grow to be extra comfy enjoying on the LPGA; has a fierce, aggressive mindset; and went 3-2-0 in enjoying all 5 periods as a rookie final yr. Her lone LPGA win was a runaway final yr in Ohio, and he or she’s twice claimed the Volvo Scandinavian Combined, beating each women and men within the DP World Tour-LET co-sanctioned occasion.
Who must step up for the U.S.?
Particularly, Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho, who mixed to go 0-4-2 final yr.
Zhang has one top-20 in 9 begins following her Could victory on the Founders Cup. She additionally carried out poorly with a fantastic shot to medal on the Olympics.
Kupcho has performed higher starting the summer time months, almost profitable the LPGA’s workforce occasion alongside Coughlin after which reserving top-10s in Canada and Boston. After being introduced as a captain’s decide, Kupcho gave an emotional interview with Golf Channel’s Amy Rogers, talking on the pressure of the season and the way grateful she was to be a part of this workforce. This may very well be the week Kupcho revives her amateur-dominating, major-winning self.
How does the RTJ course examine to Finca Cortesin?
“They’re so completely different, these two golf programs,” mentioned Korda.
“That is simpler to stroll,” mentioned Stark, “in order that’s good.”
After a couple of observe rounds, the gamers mentioned the course is enjoying pretty tender and receptive, although, temperatures will attain the low 80s every day and rain is just not anticipated this week.
Good scoring, nonetheless, is: “I really feel like perhaps there will likely be extra birdies right here,” mentioned Korda.
“Undoubtedly,” added Khang. “I believe the greens right here have somewhat extra undulations to them. As huge as they’re, they form of have little pockets, I’d name it, on the greens. As a result of for those who’re form of on the fallacious aspect of these pockets there are going to be some robust putts on the market. So it appears like your ball placing is absolutely going to must be on level.
“Total, each golf programs are wonderful, and we’re very comfortable to be right here enjoying on these lovely programs – however we’re hoping we now have somewhat extra luck right here.”
