The US Solheim Cup team hopes Barack Obama’s words of encouragement can inspire them to complete “unfinished business” when they play Europe this weekend.
Obama was a surprise visitor at a Team USA dinner in Washington DC on Monday night. The 44th US president had the opportunity to offer some special insight; he has been a member of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, where the Solheim Cup is contested, since 2017. A relaxed Obama posed for photos with Stacy Lewis and her US team.
Europe defeated the US in 2019 and 2021. When the event was held in Spain last year, a draw allowed the Europeans to retain the trophy. “We have some unfinished business,” said Nelly Korda, the world No. 1 for the US team.
Megan Khang expanded on Korda’s point. “Some people have asked me what word would describe Team USA this year and I just say ‘hungry,'” she said.
“Nelly and I, drinking the same number of Solheim Cups and not getting the job done, doesn’t necessarily leave the best taste in your mouth. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait two years. We have this year to get back at it and I can tell you, we’re hungrier than ever.”
Obama made quite an impression. “He knew all our names,” Korda said. “He congratulated us all on all our successes.” Khang, the world No. 21, was even more effusive. “It was just super cool to have a former president show up at the team dinner,” she said.
“It’s really incredible that he took the time to come and meet all of us. I know he plays here. The appreciation for the time he gave up to come and see us is incredible.”
Suzann Pettersen, the European captain, denied that her team is a favorite because of the recent results. The world rankings would certainly point to a hasty success for the US.
“I think you’re always an underdog when you’re playing away,” said the Norwegian. “I think that’s how we’ve always looked at it. If you look at the last three Solheims, we’ve come out on top and we’re definitely going to try to keep that up. I’m very happy that I can take the pressure off the Americans to say they’re the favorites.”
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A notable name in Lewis’ team is Alison Lee. During her last Solheim Cup appearance, in Germany in 2015, Lee was involved in a hugely dramatic scene after she mistakenly thought a putt was allowed and picked up her ball. The European player who collided with Lee at that moment? Pettersen.
Lee indicated that she’s not quite ready to let sleeping dogs lie when asked about the current state of her relationship with Pettersen.
“I’m not going to lie, I haven’t really talked to her since,” Lee said. “I don’t think about it that much. It’s been a long time. I would say it was tough at the time.”