The top LPGA players from the United States and Europe will tee it up this week at Robert Trent Jones GC in Gainesville, Virginia for the 19th edition of the Solheim Cup.
Team Europe enters the match-play tournament with a chance to win a record four consecutive Solheim Cups.
With the Euros taking the last three editions, the United States’ once seemingly insurmountable series lead has been shaved to just a deuce: now 10-8 all-time in the biennial series.
The Skinny
Tournament: Solheim Cup
Tournament Debut: 1990
Dates:Â Sep. 13-15, 2024
Where: Gainesville, VA
Venue:Â Robert Trent Jones GC
Distance: 7500 Yards, Par 72
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1991)
Format: Team Match Play
Field Size: 24 (12 per team)
Trophy: Solheim Cup
Captains: Stacy Lewis (USA), Suzann Pettersen (EUR)
2023 Champion:Â Europe
How to Follow the Solheim Cup
Television/Streaming:
Thu, Sep 12
Opening Ceremonies
4-6 p.m. (GOLF)
Fri, Sep 13
Morning Foursomes (4 matches)
7 a.m.-12 p.m. (GOLF)
Afternoon Fourball (4 matches)
12-6 p.m. (GOLF)
Sat, Sep 14
Morning Foursomes (4 matches)
7 a.m.-12 p.m. (GOLF)
Afternoon Fourball (4 matches)
12-3 p.m. (GOLF)
3-6 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
6-6:30 p.m. (GOLF)
Sun, Sep 15
Sunday Singles (12 matches)
8:45 a.m.-12 p.m. (GOLF)
12-3 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
3-4 p.m. (GOLF)
Links:
Website | Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Solheim Cup History
The event is named after the Karsten Solheim, the golf equipment manufacturer, and founder of PING Golf, who was the brainchild of the event.
The Norwegian immigrant was working as an engineer at General Electric when he took up golf at the age of 42 and brought science to the game, coming up with the idea of perimeter weighting, first with the putter then with irons, eventually establishing the revolutionary equipment company PING.
A staunch supporter of women’s golf and the LPGA, Solheim saw the rise in popularity of the Ryder Cup after Europe ended America’s long domination with victories in 1985 and ’87 and a halve in 1989. In 1990, he put his name and his money behind the women’s version of the Ryder Cup. The first competition was thrown together in less than six months and held at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club with no TV coverage, and sparse galleries.
The inaugural U.S. team was captained by Kathy Whitworth, leader in career LPGA victories (88). The American team was comprised of five future Hall of Fame members: Betsy King, Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley, Beth Daniel, and Patty Sheehan — each of whom would go on to captain an American Solheim Cup team. The U.S. women won in a blowout, 11.5 to 4.5.
The Americans dominated the Solheim Cup matches early on, winning eight (8) of the first eleven (11) editions. But the Euros have claimed the trophy in five of the last seven, including three straight victories.
History: Recent Winners
2023: EUR 14-14 (Spain)
2021: EUR 15-13 (Ohio, USA)
2019: EUR 14.5-13.5 (Scotland)
2017: USA 16.5-11.5 (Iowa, USA)
2015: USA 14.5-13.5 (Germany)
2013: EUR 18-10 (Colorado, USA)
2011: EUR 15-13 (Ireland)
History: Records
Largest Margin of Victory
8 – 18-10 Europe (2013)
Closest Margin of Victory
Tie – 14-14 Europe retains (2023)
Appearances
12 – Laura Davies (EUR) 1990-2011
Career Points
25 – Laura Davies (EUR) Total
11.5 – Cristie Kerr (USA) Fourball
11.5 – Annika Sorenstam (EUR) Foursome
7 – Juli Inkster (USA) Singles
Oldest Player
51Y/91D – Juli Inkster (USA) 2011
Youngest Player
17Y/149D – Charley Hull (EUR) 2013
2024 Solheim Cup Teams
The 2024 Solheim Cup will feature the same two captains from 2023: Stacy Lewis (USA) and Suzann Pettersen (EUR).
Both Lewis and Petterson will captain rosters bolstered with ample Solheim Cup experience – as each squad will carry just two rookies: Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel for Team USA and Albane Valanzuela and Esther Heneseleit for the Euros.
American stars with the most Solheim Cup experience include Lexi Thompson (6), Nelly Korda (3), Ally Ewing (3) and Megan Khang (3).
The European squad, though, has even more experience, with a whopping seven players appearing in at least three prior Solheim Cup matches: Anna Nordqvist (8), Charley Hull (7), Carlota Ciganda (6), Georgia Hall (4), Celine Boutier (3), Madelene Sagstrom (3) and Emily Pedersen (3).
In total, the Euros have 38 Solheim Cup starts under their belts while the Americans have 20. In terms of match wins, the Europeans combine for 61 victories while the Americans can claim only 30.
In terms of a winning percentage, the Euro players boast an impressive 56.1% W clip, while the U.S. roster’s collective victory percentage barely hits 40% (41.049%).
For those looking for some positivity relative to Team USA, the red, white and blue will be on home soil where they have compiled a 7-2 record when playing stateside. Further, they feature the two top-ranked players in the world: Nelly Korda (No. 1) and Lilia Vu (No. 2). In total, the U.S. team includes seven (7) players who are ranked in the Rolex’s world top 25. The Euros, meanwhile, have just two players ranked in the top 25: Celine Boutier (9) and Charley Hull (10).
Team USA Roster
Captain Stacy Lewis
- Second consecutive year as captain; tied 14-14 in 2023
- 13-time winner on LPGA Tour, 2 major wins
- Has appeared in four (4) Solheim Cups as a player
- Asst Captains: Morgan Pressel, Angela Stanford, Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome
Nelly Korda (26)
Cup Experience: 3 (2019-)
Record: 7-4-1
Rolex Rank: 1st
Native: Bradenton, FL
College: N/A
Lilia Vu (26)
Cup Experience: 1 (2023)
Record: 1-3-0
Rolex Rank: 2nd
Native: Fountain Valley, CA
College: UCLA
Allisen Corpuz (26)
Cup Experience: 1 (2023)
Record: 2-1-1
Rolex Rank: 28th
Native: Honolulu, HI
College: USC
Lauren Coughlin (31)
Cup Experience: 0
Record: Rookie
Rolex Rank: 14th
Native: Minneapolis, MN
College: Virginia
Lexi Thompson (29)
Cup Experience: 6 (2013-)
Record: 9-7-7
Rolex Rank: 46th
Native: Coral Springs, FL
College: N/A
Andrea Lee (26)
Cup Experience: 1 (2023)
Record: 1-2-1
Rolex Rank: 43rd
Native: Los Angeles, CA
College: Stanford
Sarah Schmelzel (30)
Cup Experience: 0
Record: Rookie
Rolex Rank: 61st
Native: Phoenix, AZ
College: South Carolina
Jennifer Kupcho (27)
Cup Experience: 2 (2021-)
Record: 2-3-2
Rolex Rank: 53rd
Native: Littleton, CO
College: Wake Forest
Rose Zhang (21)
Cup Experience: 1 (2023)
Record: 0-2-1
Rolex Rank: 10th
Native: Arcadia, CA
College: Stanford
Alison Lee (29)
Cup Experience: 1 (2015)
Record: 1-3-0
Rolex Rank: 25th
Native: Los Angeles, CA
College: UCLA
Megan Khang (26)
Cup Experience: 1 (2019-)
Record: 4-3-3
Rolex Rank: 21st
Native: Brockton, MA
College: N/A
Ally Ewing (31)
Cup Experience: 3 (2019-)
Record: 3-8-1
Rolex Rank: 17th
Native: Tupelo, MS
College: Mississippi State
Team USA: By the Numbers
Average Age: 27.33
Combined Points: 29.5
Combined Record: 30-36-17
Combined Winning Pctg: 41.05%
Combined Appearances: 20
Average Rolex Ranking: 26.75
Highest Ranked Player: Nelly Korda (1)
Solheim Cup Rookies: 2 (Lauren Coughlin, Sarah Schmelzel)
Team Europe Roster
Captain Suzann Pettersen
- Second consecutive year as captain; tied 14-14 in 2023 to retain Cup
- 15-time winner on LPGA Tour, 2 major wins
- Has appeared in ten (10) Solheim Cups with 18-12-6 record
- Her 22 matches ties her with Laura Davies for most all time, and her 24 points earned is second all time behind Davies
- Asst Captains: Anna Nordqvist (playing vice-captain), Laura Davies, Caroline Martens and Mel Reid
Charley Hull (28)
Cup Experience: 6 (2013-)
Record: 12-7-3
Rolex Rank: 11th
Native: Kettering, ENG
Nationality: England
Esther Henseleit (25)
Cup Experience: 0
Record: Rookie
Rolex Rank: 30th
Native: Varel, GER
Nationality: Germany
Céline Boutier (30)
Cup Experience: 3 (2019-)
Record: 12-7-3
Rolex Rank: 9th
Native: Montrouge, FRA
Nationality: France
Maja Stark (24)
Cup Experience: 3 (2023)
Record: 2-1-1
Rolex Rank: 26th
Native: Skurup, SWE
Nationality: Sweden
Linn Grant (25)
Cup Experience: 3 (2023)
Record: 3-2-0
Rolex Rank: 27th
Native: Helsingborg, SWE
Nationality: Sweden
Leona Maguire (29)
Cup Experience: 2 (2021-)
Record: 7-3-1
Rolex Rank: 33rd
Native: County Cavan, IRE
Nationality: Ireland
Carlota Ciganda (34)
Cup Experience: 6 (2013-)
Record: 11-8-4
Rolex Rank: 34th
Native: Pamplona, ESP
Nationality: Spain
Georgia Hall (28)
Cup Experience: 4 (2017-)
Record: 8-7-2
Rolex Rank: 41st
Native: Bournemouth, ENG
Nationality: England
Madelene Sagström (31)
Cup Experience: 3 (2017, 2021-)
Record: 3-5-1
Rolex Rank: 39th
Native: Uppsala, SWE
Nationality: Sweden
Anna Nordqvist (37)
Cup Experience: 8 (2009-)
Record: 15-13-3
Rolex Rank: 71st
Native: Eskilstuna, SWE
Nationality: Sweden
Albane Valenzuela (26)
Cup Experience: 0
Record: Rookie
Rolex Rank: 62nd
Native: NYC, NY
Nationality: Switzerland
Emily Kristine Pedersen (28)
Cup Experience: 3 (2017, 2021-)
Record: 5-6-1
Rolex Rank: 56th
Native: Copenhagen, DEN
Nationality: Denmark
Team Europe: By the Numbers
Average Age: 28.75
Combined Points: 53.5
Combined Record: 61-56-17
Combined Winning Pctg: 56.1%
Combined Appearances: 38
Average Rolex Ranking: 40.5
Highest Ranked Player: Celine Boutier (9)
Solheim Cup Rookies: 2 (Esther Hensleit, Albane Valenzuala)
Sources/Credit: LPGA Communications, Getty Images
