Solheim Cup – Everything You Need to Know
The Solheim Cup is the ladies equivalent of the Ryder Cup; Team Europe and Team USA face off every two years in a battle for this prestigious trophy. Though just because it is played in a similar format as the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup is entirely individual with its own history, drama and standout moments.
Established in 1990, The Solheim Cup began when the creator of PING golf clubs, Karsten Solheim, decided that lady golfers deserved the same spectacle that men get. More than three decades on and it is still one of the most highly regarded competitions in women’s golf.
How is it played?
Just like the Ryder Cup, the Solheim cup is played over three days of match-play battles
There are 28 points available, so a team needs 14.5 points to win. If they tie 14-14, the current trophy holders get to keep it.
Brief Overview of Winners
Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, Team USA dominated the competition. However, in recent years Team Europe have made a spectacular comeback…
Europe had their first win on US soil
2019, Suzann Pettersen holed a brilliant putt and secured victory for team Europe
2021, Europe thrashed team USA at Inverness Golf Cub
2023, the first ever Solheim Cup tie (14-14) meaning Europe kept their claim on the cup
Where is The Solheim Cup Held?
The Solheim Cup has been held at a number of venues across Europe and the US, alternating between the two destinations each time. Some of the most famous venues include..
Solheim Cup – Notable Names
While the Solheim Cup (and Ryder Cup) is played as a team sport, there are a few standout individuals who deserve their own turns in the spotlight.
Annika Sorenstam
Annika is one of the most successful players in Solheim Cup history. She made her debut appearance in 1994 and has played in 8 tournaments. Sorenstam has had 22 wins, 11 losses and 4 draws, scoring a total of 24 points for Team Europe during her career
(Dame) Laura Davies
Laura debuted for the Solheim Cup in 1990, the inaugural event, and made 12 appearances over the years. She has 22 wins, 18 losses and 6 draws on her roster and earned 25 points in total for team Europe. This makes her the leader for points on Team Europe and one of the highest in the Solheim Cup. Davies is the only European to have played in all 12 of the first Solheim Cup’s and was even inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.
Cristie Kerr
Cristie first appeared in the Solheim Cup in 2002 and has made 9 appearances. Achieving 18 wins, 14 losses and 6 draws with 21 points earned for team USA across these, securing her the title of most-points-earned by an American player (as of 2023).
One To Look Out For: Leona Maguire
Despite only debuting in 2021, Leona is quickly becoming a Solheim Star known for her steely composure and impressive putting. Maguire has just two Solheim Cup appearances (2021 u0026amp; 2023), with team Europe taking home the trophy on both occassions. In 2021, Europe won 15-13, and in 2023 they tied 14-14 but retained the cup. During her debut she finished with 4 wins, zero losses and 1 draw which is a record-breaking performance of most points ever by a European rookie. A the first Irishwoman to play in the Solheim Cup, she has made a brilliant debut so far and is certainly one to keep an eye on.
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