It is just 12 months since Europe defended the Solheim Cup – claiming the trophy for the third time in a row with a draw in Spain – and they will be aiming to extend that run against the United States when they battle it out in Virginia.
Europe’s captain Suzann Pettersen is confident her team can become the first to win the Solheim Cup four successive times when the tournament starts today.
The foursomes pairings and tee times have been announced, see the details here.
“They’ve done it before and know what it takes. I’m confident the atmosphere and surroundings will help them rise to the occasion,” said Pettersen.
“The 12 players we have complement each other. I want them all to have each other’s back and be united because that’s the only way we can get this job done.”
The US have not lifted the trophy since 2017 but captain Stacy Lewis is hopeful a home crowd and wildcard pick Lexi Thompson can end Europe’s recent dominance.
Thompson, who announced earlier this year that she would retire from full-time golf at the end of 2024, has been involved in the Solheim Cup since 2013 when she was just 18 and Lewis believes her experience will be key.
“I know what Lexi can do at a Solheim Cup and that definitely helped her get a pick,” said Lewis. “She’s somebody who is going to help the team out a lot, on the golf course and also off.”
When is the Solheim Cup?
The competition comes after the major summer LPGA tournaments and runs for three days. It gets underway on Friday, September 13 and comes to a close on Sunday, September 15.
Where is it being held?
After being staged in Europe last year, the Solheim Cup has moved over to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Gainesville, Virginia in the United States.
The club only opened in 1991 but has a rich pedigree, hosting four Presidents Cups from 1994-2005.
How can I watch it on TV?
Sky Sports Golf will show the competition live. The matches will start from 7.05am local time (12.05pm BST) on the Friday and Saturday, while the matches on the Sunday start from 8.50am local time (1.50pm BST).
12.05pm BST: Charley Hull (Eng) & E Henseleit (Ger) v Nelly Korda & Allisen Corpuz
12.17pm: Celine Boutier (Fr) & Albane Valenzuela (Switz) v Rose Zhang v Lauren Coughlin
12.29pm: Emily Pedersen (Den) & Maja Stark (Swe) v Ally Ewing & Jennifer Kupcho
12.41pm: Linn Grant (Swe) & Carlota Ciganda (Sp) v Lilia Vu & Sarah Schmelzel
What is the Solheim Cup?
The Solheim Cup is a team matchplay competition in women’s professional golf that involves Europe and the United States, and happens once every two years.
Since 2003 it has taken place in odd-numbered years but following the Covid pandemic a change to the golf schedule means that it will be played in even-numbered years from now on, hence the fact it is happening twice in 12 months.
The competition derives its name from Karsten Solheim, a Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer who pioneered the idea in women’s golf. The format of the competition mirrors the men’s Ryder Cup.
Team Europe achieved their first three-peat in Solheim Cup history after they drew 14-14 with the United States in last year’s edition, as the Spaniard Carlota Ciganda made a heroic putt to secure a tie for the Europeans and dramatically retain the trophy.
