Solheim Cup: expect fireworks in Europe’s bid for historic triumph

SUzann Pettersen’s Solheim Cup experiences suggest her captaincy is unlikely to be boring. At Finca Cortesin, Pettersen leads a European team that aims to make history by winning the transatlantic jousting three times in a row for the first time. The Norwegian exudes a level of confidence that will come back to bite her when those in the stars and stripes turn the tables. Interestingly, this bullish approach from the hosts is largely fueled by the success of their players on the US-based LPGA Tour. Legitimate questions remain about the strength of the Ladies European Tour, which has recently been quietly boosted by Saudi Arabian riches.

Spectators must prepare themselves for theater. Pettersen spent the Sunday evening of the 2015 Solheim Cup crying in her hotel room after being involved in a rules debacle. Four years later, Pettersen knocked in the winning putt for Europe at Gleneagles, immediately before declaring her retirement from professional golf. She has remained true to her word; Pettersen assisted Catriona Matthew in 2021, but has otherwise kept her distance from the frontline of this sport. Her status is such that no one begrudges her.

“I know everything about these players, probably more than they know,” said Pettersen. She sees no need to tell her twelve golfers that a three-timer is unheard of.

“I don’t really need to tell the players what we are planning,” the Europe captain added. “I think the players are really into it. I always love having a possible dream to pursue. That is amazing. But there is so much golf to be played from where we sit today until the end of Sunday that I don’t urge the players to do that at all. We will see how each session goes and we will try to adjust from there.” Small margins usually determine the outcome of the Solheim Cup.

With Stacy Lewis, Pettersen has a formidable opponent. Both captains are known for their ruthlessly competitive nature. Each is a two-time major champion. They are also different in approach; Lewis seems much more focused on statistics than Pettersen. Lewis used numbers to defend her selection for the opening session of Lexi Thompson, who struggled for individual form.

“We started the week and a few people on our team, between caddies and helpers, came up to me and just said, ‘She’s hitting it really well,’” Thompson’s Lewis said. “Every day there are more and more people telling me this. With the data and the analysis that we have, I actually got their strokes from the last two days of training, and she’s off the charts right now.

Ludvig Åberg will experience a Solheim Cup before a Ryder Cup. The Swede is expected here on the first tee on Friday morning to show his support for Team Europe – including close friends Linn Grant and Maja Stark – before heading to Rome for the men’s equivalent.

The location itself will present challenges. The mountains of Andalusia provide a beautiful backdrop, but an estimated 10,000 spectators per day will find it difficult to complete the course on foot. When numerous matches last close to 18 holes, there will be a genuine question about the daylight finish. Tournament officials have a target time for fourballs of no less than five and a half hours.

Åberg will watch Grant and Stark lead Europe in the foursomes. “They asked for this, so here we go,” Pettersen said, with a nod to the player power. The Swedes will face Thompson and Megan Khang. Céline Boutier and Georgia Hall take on Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee. Leona Maguire, who excelled in Ohio two years ago, will partner Anna Nordqvist against Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz. In game four, Charley Hull and Emily Pedersen play Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight. Hull has been nursing a neck injury but insists she is fit to play. “I told the girls these combinations on Monday evening so they had all week to prepare,” said Pettersen. It’s a good thing, then, that Hull has declared himself up for the task.

Lilia Vu, a two-time major winner in 2023 and world number 2, will surprisingly sit out the opening day celebrations for the US. This also applies to rising star Rose Zhang. “I don’t see anyone playing all five sessions,” Lewis said. The US, which finds itself in the unusual position of the underdog, could use a flying start.