Author: Laura Gailus

Categories
Highlights Tours

Solheim Cup 2024: The Players for Team Europe

Solheim Cup 2024: Get to know the twelve players of Team Europe. (Image: Getty)
Solheim Cup 2024: Get to know the twelve players of Team Europe. (Image: Getty)

The Solheim Cup 2024 promises another exciting duel between the best female golfers in Europe and the USA. Under the leadership of captain Suzann Pettersen, Team Europe will compete with a strong selection of experienced and up-and-coming players. Here is an overview of the players who will be competing for the title against the American team, led by US captain Stacy Lewis, in Gainesville, Virginia.

Solheim Cup 2024: Team Europe

Player Qualification criteria 1 fact
Charley Hull LET Solheim Cup Points Four Top-10-finishes on the LPGA Tour in 2024
Esther Henseleit LET Solheim Cup Points Won the silver medal at the Olympic Games 2024
Celine Boutier Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Six wins on the LPGA Tour
Carlota Ciganda Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Six appearances in the Solheim Cup
Linn Grant Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Four Top-10-finishes on the LPGA Tour in 2024
Leona Maguire Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Won the Aramco Team Series – London in 2024
Madelene Sagstrom Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Three Top-10-finishes on the LPGA Tour in 2024
Maja Stark Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Three Top-10-finishes on the LPGA Tour in 2024
Georgia Hall Captain’s Pick Won the AIG Women’s Open in 2018
Anna Nordqvist Captain’s Pick Three-time major winner
Emily Kristine Pedersen Captain’s Pick Three Solheim Cup appearances
Albane Valenzuela Captain’s Pick Two Top-10-finishes on the LPGA Tour in 2024

Get to know Team Europe

Charley Hull

Charley Hull, one of the best-known faces in Team Europe, qualified via the LET Solheim Cup points. The Englishwoman is an experienced player who is taking part in the Solheim Cup for the sixth time. Hull has achieved considerable success in her career, including four top-10 finishes in the 2024 season on the LPGA Tour.

Esther Henseleit

Esther Henseleit from Germany secured her place in the team via the LET Solheim Cup points. She is one of the two rookies in Team Europe this year. Henseleit earned her first starting place in the Solheim Cup through her consistently strong performances on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, including several top 10 finishes and a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Celine Boutier

Frenchwoman Celine Boutier qualified via the Rolex World Ranking and brings an impressive record to the team. Boutier has played in three Solheim Cups and has been part of the last two winning teams. In the 2023 season, she scored a significant victory at the Amundi Evian Championship, which further strengthens her position in Team Europe.

Carlota Ciganda

Carlota Ciganda from Spain also qualified via the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. She is one of the most experienced players on the team and has already taken part in six Solheim Cups. Ciganda has won titles on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour in her career and is known for her consistency in the match play format.

Linn Grant

Linn Grant from Sweden is an up-and-coming player who qualified via the Rolex World Ranking. This is her second Solheim Cup, having been part of the team in 2023. In the 2024 season, she celebrated a victory at the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed, showing her potential for Team Europe.

Leona Maguire

Leona Maguire from Ireland secured her place on Team Europe via the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Maguire, who made her debut in 2021, has quickly become a permanent fixture on the team. In the current 2024 season, she won the Aramco Team Series event in London.

Madelene Sagstrom

Madelene Sagstrom from Sweden qualified via the Rolex World Ranking and is competing in the Solheim Cup for the third time. Sagstrom has already achieved several top-10 finishes in her career.

Maja Stark

Maja Stark, also from Sweden, qualified via the Rolex World Ranking and is taking part in the Solheim Cup for the second time. Stark has already won six titles on the Ladies European Tour in her career and has already recorded three top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour in the 2024 season and is one of the young, up-and-coming talents in European golf.

Georgia Hall

Georgia Hall was selected as captain’s pick by captain Suzann Pettersen. The Englishwoman has already played in four Solheim Cups and brings valuable experience to the team. Hall won the AIG Women’s Open in 2018 and achieved a top-10 finish on the LPGA Tour this season.

Anna Nordqvist

Anna Nordqvist, one of the most experienced players in Team Europe, was also selected as captain’s pick and will take on a dual role in the team as vice-captain. The Swede has already played in eight Solheim Cups and has already celebrated three Major victories in her career.

Emily Kristine Pedersen

Emily Kristine Pedersen from Denmark was selected as the third captain’s pick by captain Pettersen. Pedersen has already taken part in the Solheim Cup three times and achieved several top-10 finishes in the 2024 season. Her success on the Ladies European Tour makes her an important pillar of the team.

Albane Valenzuela

Albane Valenzuela from Switzerland, another captain’s pick, will make her Solheim Cup debut in 2024. Valenzuela has achieved two top-10 results on the LPGA Tour this season and is the second rookie player on Team Europe.

Captain Suzann Pettersen – The architect of success

Suzann Pettersen, captain of the European team, has made her selection for the 2024 Solheim Cup and is relying on a mix of experienced players and talented newcomers. With her extensive Solheim Cup experience, Pettersen is ideally equipped to lead Team Europe in this prestigious competition and defend the title.

Categories
Highlights Tours

Solheim Cup 2024: The Players for Team USA

Solheim Cup 2024: Meet the US Team (Image: Getty)
Solheim Cup 2024: Meet the US Team (Image: Getty)

The 2024 Solheim Cup will once again bring together the best female golfers from the USA and Europe. Captain Stacy Lewis has nominated a balanced mix of experienced players and up-and-coming talent to lead Team USA into the competition and prevail against the European team. Here is an introduction to this year’s American team:

Player Qualification criteria 1 fact
Nelly Korda US Solheim Cup Ranking World Nr. 1
Lilia Vu US Solheim Cup Ranking Two-time major champion
Lauren Coughlin US Solheim Cup Ranking Two Top-5-finishes in the majors in 2024
Ally Ewing US Solheim Cup Ranking World Nr. 17
Allisen Corpuz US Solheim Cup Ranking Won the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach in 2023
Megan Khang US Solheim Cup Ranking Fourth appearance in the Solheim Cup
Andrea Lee US Solheim Cup Ranking Second appearance in the Solheim Cup
Rose Zhang World Ranking Second appearance in the Solheim Cup after turning pro in 2023
Alison Lee World Ranking Legendary golfer Fred Couples is her biggest fan
Lexi Thompson Captain’s Pick Seventh consecutive appearance in the Solheim Cup
Jennifer Kupcho Captain’s Pick Married to the caddie of Allisen Corpuz
Sarah Schmelzel Captain’s Pick Makes her debut in the Solheim Cup

Meet the US Team for the Solheim Cup 2024

Nelly Korda

Nelly Korda, who qualified through the US Solheim Cup Rankings, leads the US team. As the world number one and multiple winner on the LPGA Tour, she is one of the strongest players in the world. Korda brings her extensive experience and six tournament wins -including one major title- from the 2024 season to the team.

Lilia Vu

Lilia Vu, also qualified via the US Solheim Cup rankings, has established herself as one of the strongest players on the team thanks to her outstanding performances in recent years. With victories at the Chevron Championship and the AIG Women’s Open 2023, she has established herself as one of the best female golfers in the world.

Lauren Coughlin

Lauren Coughlin qualified through the US Solheim Cup Rankings and will make her debut at the 2024 Solheim Cup. Coughlin had a successful 2024 season in which she recorded two tournament wins and five other top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour.

Ally Ewing

Ally Ewing, who qualified via the US Solheim Cup rankings, is one of the most consistent players on Team USA. In the 2024 season, she achieved six top-10 finishes, demonstrating her consistent performance. With her experience from multiple Solheim Cup appearances, Ewing will be a key asset to the team and will look to lead Team USA to victory.

Allisen Corpuz

Allisen Corpuz secured her place on the US Solheim Cup Ranking and won the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach in 2023. She brings her major experience to the team and is competing in the Solheim Cup for the second time.

Megan Khang

Megan Khang, who also qualified via the US Solheim Cup rankings, will be competing in the Solheim Cup for the fourth time. With three top-10 finishes in the 2024 season, she brings valuable experience and consistency to Team USA.

Andrea Lee

Andrea Lee, who also qualified via the US Solheim Cup rankings, will take part in the Solheim Cup for the second time in 2024. With several top 10 finishes this season and an LPGA tournament win, she is one of the up-and-coming players in the US team.

Rose Zhang

Rose Zhang, who secured a place on the team via the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, is one of the biggest talents on the US team. Although she only turned professional in 2023, she has already won two tournaments on the LPGA Tour.

Alison Lee

Alison Lee, who is returning to Team USA after a nine-year absence, qualified via the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Her experience and abilities could make her an important addition to the team.

Lexi Thompson

Lexi Thompson, who was selected as captain’s pick by captain Stacy Lewis, has extensive Solheim Cup experience. She will be making her seventh consecutive appearance for the US team. With eleven LPGA tournament wins in her career, Thompson is one of the most experienced players on the team.

Jennifer Kupcho

Jennifer Kupcho, also a captain’s pick, brings her experience from two Solheim Cups. Her four top-10 finishes in the 2024 season make her a reliable pillar for the team.

Sarah Schmelzel

Sarah Schmelzel, another captain’s pick, will make her debut in the Solheim Cup. With six top-10 finishes in the 2024 season, she shows her potential and will strengthen Team USA with fresh talent.

Stacy Lewis – captain and golfing legend

Stacy Lewis, the captain of the US team, has already made history in her career. With 13 LPGA victories, including two majors, and two Player of the Year titles, she is one of the most successful golfers of her generation. Lewis has topped the world rankings twice and has played in four Solheim Cups. After serving as co-captain in 2021, she took on the responsibility as captain for the 2023 and 2024 tournaments. Under her leadership, Team USA will do everything in its power to win the 2024 Solheim Cup on home soil in Gainesville, Virginia.

Categories
Panorama

Rory McIlroy to Shorten Tournament Schedule: “It’s Been a Long Season”

Rory McIlroy plans to cut back on his tournament schedule in the 2025 season. The Northern Irishman talks about a "U.S. Open hangover." (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy has announced plans to significantly reduce his tournament schedule beginning in 2025. The Northern Irish golf star revealed that he intends to participate in only 18 to 20 tournaments per year. McIlroy shared this decision following the conclusion of the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where he finished in ninth place.

He described this season as particularly challenging, especially after hitting a “wall” following the U.S. Open and still feeling the lingering effects of that intense stretch. “It’s been a long season, and I’m going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year and going forward because I felt like I hit a bit of a wall sort of post-U.S. Open, and still feel a little bit of that hangover,” McIlroy explained in a post-tournament interview in Atlanta.

Rory McIlroy to Adjust 2025 Season Planning

The golf professional, who has regularly competed in over 20 tournaments per season in recent years, emphasized that the current season has pushed him to his limits. In the past, the PGA Tour star would typically participate in about 22 events a year, but this number is no longer sustainable given his current life circumstances. I’m usually sort of like a 22 sort of person. But again, that was when I was sort of in my 20s and didn’t have the responsibilities that I do now,” McIlroy said. As a result, he plans to limit his tournament participation to 18 to 20 events in the coming years.

This decision follows an especially dense tournament schedule. Over the past eight weeks, McIlroy has competed in six major events, including the Olympic Games in Paris and the British Open. This intense period, combined with his appearances in all three FedEx Cup Playoffs, has left him physically and mentally exhausted, according to McIlroy.

Future Outlook and Upcoming Tournaments

Although Rory McIlroy intends to reduce his tournament calendar in the future, he still faces several important tasks this season. He will compete in the Irish Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship before concluding the DP World Tour season with two final events in Dubai in November. McIlroy currently leads the Race to Dubai standings on the DP World Tour and will aim to finish the season strong before implementing his planned reduction in tournament appearances.

Categories
Uncategorized

Nostalgic Video Shows Young PGA Tour Stars Spieth, Scheffler, Zalatoris

PGA Tour players Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and Will Zalatoris in a nostalgic video flashback. (Photo: @GolfingBrock)

There are moments that feel like little time capsules—memories that show just how far someone has come. A recently shared video on the Twitter account Golfingbrock does just that, offering a nostalgic journey back to the early days of Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, and Will Zalatoris, long before these three became some of the biggest stars on the PGA Tour.

Back in 2009, at the age of just 15, Jordan Spieth made a bold prediction: that Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris would be “incredibly good” in a few years. This foresight has proven to be spot on. Will Zalatoris claimed victory at the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship, and Scottie Scheffler now sits atop the world rankings.

The video is accompanied by the ironic comment, “I hope these kids can reach their potential one day”—a nod to the fact that all three have already cemented their status among the PGA Tour’s elite.

The footage highlights Spieth’s commanding victory at the HP Byron Nelson Junior Championship, where he won by 11 strokes. Alongside him, a 13-year-old Scheffler impresses by holding his own against older competitors, while a 12-year-old Zalatoris had already qualified for the US Junior Championship.

Categories
Highlights Tours

Prize Fund Announced for the AIG Women’s Open

The prize fund for the AIG Women’s Open, which is being played this week at the Old Course, St Andrews will be $9.5 million. (Source: The R&A)

The prize fund for the AIG Women’s Open, which is being played this week at the Old Course from 21-25 August 2024, St Andrews will be $9.5 million, an increase of $500,000 on the previous year.

First established in 1976 and now owned by The R&A, the AIG Women’s Open is one of five major championships in women’s golf. The Championship is the showpiece for The R&A’s commitment to growing women and girls’ golf via the Women in Golf Charter, and aims to champion the changing face of women’s golf; to inspire, engage and provoke in order to challenge perceptions that will shape the future of the sport. Each year 144 players compete for the championship trophy with the low amateur, who plays 72 holes, awarded the Smyth Salver. 

The prize fund for the championship has tripled since before The R&A’s partnership with AIG began in 2019. This year the Champion will take home $1,425,000, the highest amount in the AIG Women’s Open’s 48-year history.

The growth in the AIG Women’s Open prize fund

  • 2024 – $9.5 million
  • 2023 – $9 million
  • 2022 – $7.3 million
  • 2021 – $5.8 million
  • 2020 – $4.5 million
  • 2019 – $4.5 million (beginning of The R&A and AIG partnership)
  • 2018 – $3.25 million

Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said, “With the outstanding backing we have received from AIG as our title sponsor we have been able to achieve a step change and take this Championship to new levels. We greatly appreciate AIG’s support and are proud that they share our goal to elevate the AIG Women’s Open still further and ensure it remains at the pinnacle of the women’s game. The increased prize fund and our enhancements to the staging and the spectator experience this year reflect our shared commitment to making the AIG Women’s Open a world class championship for players and fans alike.”

Categories
Brands

Under Armour Launches Footwear Optimisation

Under Armour launches 2-hour footwear optimisation. (Photo: Under Armour)

Under Armour has announced the launch of its unique Footwear Optimisation Process in collaboration with Stoke Park and Biomecaswing at the new Under Armour Golf Footwear Performance Centre. 

Under Armour’s Footwear Optimisation Process

Designed to offer golfers the pinnacle of custom fitted footwear across its Award-Winning Drive Pro Series, customers will experience a 2 hour, four-step footwear fitting like no other in the game. 

The Four-Step Custom Footwear Fitting Process

The first step is an initial assessment with the golfer wearing their own footwear. An initial kinetic and kinematic assessment is carried out using the BiomecaForce system. At this point key data metrics such as club speed, ball speed, spin rate, strike location and carry distances are recorded with TrackMan.

From this initial assessment the player will be recommended one of the game-changing Drive Pro Series spiked or spikeless models based on peak force, rotation, translation figures and in line with their swing signature.

Once the selected footwear, further assessment will be conducted on the BiomecaForce system to demonstrate the measured gains in both kinetic and kinematic data and alongside the TrackMan data.

In step three, golfers receive an assessment of their feet using the market-leading SIDAS Podiatech system to better understand the foots anatomy and its impact on their own golf swing. Once completed, custom insoles are built on site to promote optimised stability and an increased ability to create higher peak forces – in turn taking the performance of their footwear even further.

Once the custom insoles are built and fitted into the Drive Pro shoes, final assessment is conducted to highlight the performance gains achieved throughout the session.

Insights on the Footwear Optimisation Process

Richard Palmer Jones, Under Armour Golf UK, said: “The Under Armour Footwear Optimisation Process utilises a unique and proprietary combination of the most advanced athlete performance tracking technology in golf. This allows golfers to understand the importance and impact of their footwear to their on-course performance in simple terms through the data improvements that we see time and again when putting people through our fitting processes. The addition of SIDAS Podiatech technology allows us to take the fitting process further through the use of custom insoles – producing the ultimate experience for any golfer looking to maximise their potential.”

Chris Murtagh, Head of Instruction at Stoke Park, said: “The opportunity to launch the Footwear Optimisation Process at Stoke Park with Under Armour is incredibly exciting. Having fit customers into the Drive Pro Series since it launched in February, we’ve seen how these products have consistently improved golfers. Utilising the BiomecaForce system alongside SIDAS Podiatech technology is the natural progression to deliver the ultimate in performance footwear. Under Armour’s mission to make athletes better has established golf footwear as an essential piece of golf equipment for the first time.”

Each session costs £500 and includes 2 hours of Biomechanical analysis, both pre and post-testing, 1 pair of Drive Pro Series Spiked or Spikeless shoes, and 1 set of custom insoles.

To find out more or book a session please contact Chris Murtagh at Stoke Park on 01753 717184 or via email at [email protected].

Text provided by Under Armour

Categories
Equipment

Motocaddy continues to support popular Mercedes-Benz events

MotoCaddy announces support for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz After Work Golf Cup. (Photo: MotoCaddy)

Motocaddy, Germany’s #1 electric trolley brand*, is continuing as a premium sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz After Work Golf Cup (AWGC), along with providing a number of game-changing models for golfers taking part in the prestigious MercedesTrophy German Final in September.

The AWGC is the luxury vehicle manufacturer’s most popular domestic event with up to 2,500 tournaments a year on over 200 golf courses throughout Germany. Specially designed for golfers who are looking for a sporting challenge, but rarely have time for day-long rounds of golf, the tournaments are held from May to October, played exclusively over nine holes, are only played on weekdays and start in the afternoon at the earliest.

“We have a long-standing and successful partnership with Mercedes-Benz and we’re looking forward to supporting more than 30,000 golfers that take part in the AWGC throughout the summer,” said
Thorsten Kück, Managing Director of Motocaddy EMEA based in Bochum. “Our premium electric trolleys can help golfers play nine-holes without taking too much time, while keeping the enjoyment
levels high,” he added.

Annual, monthly and weekly prizes, as well as leaderboard and daily prizes at each AWGC tournament are on offer for the 2024 season with a total value of over €250,000.

The brand that leads global sales in electric trolleys with over 600,000 sold worldwide is also
supporting the MercedesTrophy German final at Öschberghof in September, providing a fleet of high-tech electric trolleys for enthusiastic golfers to use while competing for the prestigious title and the chance to compete in the world final at the same venue.
An exclusive series of invitational golf tournaments conducted worldwide for Mercedes-Benz owners, the MercedesTrophy is competed in by more than 60,000 players from over 60 countries.

“The MercedesTrophy is such a prominent event in the German amateur golf calendar and we’re delighted to be able to have our game-changing electric trolleys available to those taking part in the
National final,” added Kück. “Much like Mercedes cars, our trolleys are innovation pioneers in their field along with leading the way in producing environmentally friendly models,” he added.

For more information about Motocaddy trolleys and other products including bags, batteries and accessories, please visit www.motocaddygolf.de or follow @motocaddy_de on Facebook and
Instagram.

*Source: Golf industry research specialists, Datatech. Market share based on units sold July 2023 to June 2024.

Categories
Panorama

Junior Golfer AJ Ramos Achieves Historic 59 in Arizona

The 59-round by 14-year-old golfer AJ Ramos is making waves. (Photo: Facebook@Junior Golf Association of Arizona)

AJ Ramos, a prodigious 14-year-old golfer, has etched an extraordinary chapter in the annals of the Arizona Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Over the past weekend, Ramos achieved an astonishing feat by shooting a round of 59 at the Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Arizona. This score marks the first instance of such an achievement in the AJGA’s history.

Breakthrough at the Tucson City Junior Championship

It was July 25, 2024, at the Tucson City Junior Championship when young golfer AJ Ramos from Tucson delivered a flawless 59, making it the first of its kind in the tournament’s history.

Held annually at the Randolph Golf Complex, the Tucson City Junior Championship is renowned for attracting talented young golfers from across Arizona. AJ Ramos surpassed all expectations by reaching this historic milestone. With precise shots and outstanding focus, he played an almost perfect game that ultimately led him to this record-setting performance and a new membership in the exclusive 59 Club. Membership in this club is so rare that even players on the PGA Tour or LPGA Tour seldom achieve it.

A Milestone in Junior Golf

The historic moment occurred during the final round of an AJGA tournament. Ramos started his round with a birdie on the first hole and continued his successful streak tirelessly. After nine holes, he was already eight under par. On the back nine, he maintained his impressive performance, finishing the round with an eagle on the 18th hole. His round’s total? Eleven birdies, one eagle, and six pars.

This remarkable achievement not only highlights Ramos’s exceptional talent but also sets a new standard in junior golf, underscoring the bright future that lies ahead for this young golfer.

Categories
Highlights Tours

Scottie Scheffler: “Toughest Nine Holes of My Career”

Scottie Scheffler at The Open Championship 2024 in Troon. (Photo: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler articulated what many of the remaining The Open Championship participants were likely thinking after Moving Day – except for Justin Rose, of course. “I can think of a couple days with some crazy high winds that may have been more challenging, but overall the back nine, I think that was probably the hardest nine holes that I’ll ever play,” said the world number one, before slightly revising his statement: “I shouldn’t say ever. Who knows what the next few Opens will bring? But it’s definitely the hardest that I’ve played to this point in my career.”

The Open Championship 2024 – All Scores

The two-time Masters champion held his own with an even-par round, hitting 13 out of 14 fairways. However, his putter once again let him down, failing to capitalize even from short distances. If he can manage to improve this aspect today, the third major of the year remains within reach.

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Golf Digest (@golfdigest)

Categories
Highlights Tours

Shane Lowry’s The Open Championship 2024: Drama on the 11th Hole

Shane Lowry's second round at the Open Championship 2024 was marked by a controversy at the 11th hole. (Photo: Getty)

Shane Lowry temporarily lost his lead at the The Open Championship 2024 due to rule disputes. The former Open champion faced unexpected challenges and rule decisions on the second day of the tournament.

The Open Championship 2024 – All Scores

Lowry’s Lead at The Open Championship 2024

Shane Lowry started strong at the The Open Championship 2024. The 2019 champion led after the second round at the Royal Troon Golf Club, having navigated the first ten holes with three birdies and one bogey, securing a two-stroke lead.

The Controversial Incident on the 11th Hole

The 11th hole, one of the course’s most notorious par-4 holes known as “The Railway,” proved troublesome for Lowry. His second shot veered left into a gorse bush. Distracted by a photographer, Lowry claimed his shot was disrupted. Declaring his ball lost, he took a penalty and played a new ball onto the green. However, a spectator found the original ball, forcing Lowry to continue play with it.

The Open Championship 2024 – Live Blog

The Ruling and Its Consequences

According to the golf rules, Lowry had to play the found ball. Despite his protests and frustration towards the photographer, the decision stood. Lowry incurred another penalty for an unplayable ball and played his fourth shot onto the green. He finished the hole with a double bogey, losing his sole lead and tying with England’s Daniel Brown. Despite the setback on the 11th hole, Lowry fought back to regain the solo lead by the end of the day.