Author: Linus Goldemann

Categories
Highlights Tours

Augusta National: Statement On “Catastrophic Impact From Hurricane Helene”

The Augusta National Golf Club during the US Masters 2024 (Photo: Getty)
The Augusta National Golf Club during the US Masters 2024 (Photo: Getty)

Hurricane Helene reached the US mainland on Thursday. The storm, classified as a level four storm, raged through several of the coastal states in the south-east of the USA and also reached wind speeds of up to 130 km/h in Augusta, Georgia. Severe damage was caused throughout the region, with the Augusta National Golf Club – venue of the US Masters – not being spared.

Augusta National: “Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Everyone Affected”

More and more photos and videos are appearing on social media showing possible damage to the golf course. It can be seen that a large number of trees have been uprooted, with the famous Magnolia Lane also likely to be affected according to drone footage. Newly planted trees in particular are exposed to an increased risk as they are not yet strongly rooted. Last year, during the US Masters 2023, three pine trees collapsed in the middle of the spectators, but fortunately no one was injured.

Drone footage of Magnolia Lane at Augusta National:

In addition, images on social media show that the small Rae’s Creek, which flows through the golf course, has swollen into a raging river. The masses of water could cause considerable and lasting damage to the course.

The club’s chairman, Fred Ridley, issued a statement but added that the club’s main focus was on the community that had been devastated by the hurricane:

Understandably, the state of Augusta National is currently one of the lowest priorities of the club chairmen and the community. US media are currently estimating at least 52 fatalities and millions of people without power in the southeastern US.

Our thoughts are with the victims of the hurricane and their families.

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Highlights Tours

Presidents Cup 2024: Team USA Dominates the Saturday Matches

Patrick Cantlay celebrates after a putt on the 18th green during the Saturday Foursomes of the Presidents Cup 2024 (Photo: Getty)
Patrick Cantlay celebrates after a putt on the 18th green during the Saturday Foursomes of the Presidents Cup 2024 (Photo: Getty)

The Presidents Cup 2024 is turning into an up-and-down affair for the international team. After a disastrous 0:5 start to the tournament, the team fought back furiously the following day and went into Saturday’s fourballs and foursomes with a 5:5 score. There, however, the Americans dominated again and won both rounds 3:1. So the defending champions will go into the twelve singles matches on the final day with a score of 11:7.

Presidents Cup 2024: Team USA with 11:7 Lead Going Into the Final Day

There were not many positives for the international team in the Saturday fourballs and foursomes. The Americans got the day off to a perfect start with victories in the first two fourballs of the morning. The first point was secured by the duo of Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa against Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith (2&1), the second by Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele against Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes (3&2). In the third match of the day, Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim gave Team International some breathing space: the duo won against Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark with a comfortable 4&3 and the shot of the day. However, the next setback came in the fourth game of Saturday’s fourballs. There, the Americans in the form of Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns managed the third point of the day against Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im (2&1).

The afternoon’s foursomes were similarly modest from the international team’s perspective. In the first foursome, Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley increased the score to 9-6 for Team USA in the overall standings (3&2) in their clash with Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im. The rest of the afternoon was to develop into a thriller. All three remaining matches were decided on the last hole: First, Taylor Pendrith and Adam Scott took the second and so important point of the day for Team International. With a one-shot lead, they went up against Max Homa and Brian Harman on hole 18, where a par was enough to win the match (2 up). The international team failed dramatically on the last two holes: both the Conners/Hughes duo against Morikawa/Burns and the Kim duo against Cantlay/Schauffele were tied on hole 18, but in both cases the Americans held their nerve and won the two holes in front of their home fans. To euphoric cheers, Patrick Cantlay put the finishing touches to what was a bitter day for the international team.

So Team USA goes into the final day with an 11:7 lead. Despite the good starting position for the defending champions, everything is still wide open. After all, a whole twelve points are still up for grabs in the individual matches. It remains exciting in Canada.

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Equipment

WITB: Billy Horschel with Titleist to Playoff Victory in England

WITB: Billy Horschel at the BMW PGA Championship 2024 (Photo: Getty)
WITB: Billy Horschel at the BMW PGA Championship 2024 (Photo: Getty)

The BMW PGA Championship 2024 kept things exciting right up to the last shot. In the end, Billy Horschel prevailed in a triple play-off against Thriston Lawrence and Rory McIlroy to celebrate his second victory in one of the DP World Tour’s most prestigious tournaments after 2021. With the exception of a PING putter, Horschel relied on Titleist equipment.

WITB: Billy Horschel at the BMW PGA Championship 2024

(Photo: Titleist)
Image: Titleist

Fairwaywood (3&5): Titleist TSi2

The modern Titleist T100 Tour iron. (Photo: Titleist)
Image: Titleist

Irons (3&5): Titleist T100

Image: Titleist

Irons (6-9): Titleist 620 MB

Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 9 Wedge(Foto: Titleist)
Image: Titleist

Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM 10

Ping Sigma 2 ZB 2 Putter(Foto: Ping)
Image: PING

Putter: PING Sigma 2 Tyne 4

The new Titleist Pro V1x golf ball 2023. (Photo: Titleist)
Image: Titleist

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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LIV Tour

LIV Golf Team Championship: Cameron Smith and Ripper GC Celebrate in Dallas

LIV Golf Team Championship 2024: Cameron Smith and Ripper GC win in Dallas. (Photo: Getty)
LIV Golf Team Championship 2024: Cameron Smith and Ripper GC win in Dallas. (Photo: Getty)

After Jon Rahm was crowned ‘Individual Champion’ last week, the LIV Golf Tour in Dallas decided the Team Championship this week. Without the participation of the defending champions Crushers GC around captain Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, who was ill, the Australian team Ripper GC prevailed against the competition on the final day.

The Complete Leaderboard of the LIV Golf Team Championship 2024

LIV Golf: Ripper GC Wins the Team Championship in Dallas

On the final day of the LIV Golf Team Championship in Dallas, team captain Cameron Smith and Ripper GC lived up to their role as favorites. In addition to the two surprise teams 4Aces GC and Iron Heads GC, who only finished 10th in the season rankings and, in the case of Iron Heads, a distant 13th, Ripper GC also had to deal with second-placed Legion XIII in the final. However, without Jon Rahm, who was ill, the newly formed team was clearly weakened. While Tyrrell Hatton did everything in his power with a round of 68 to make up for the Spaniard’s absence, it was Kieran Vincent’s weak round of 73 that ultimately made the difference. The one stroke over par was the weakest score among the four final teams. At Ripper GC, captain Cameron Smith was able to rely on the performance of his teammates (Herbert 69, Jones 70, Leishman 70) and successfully led the team to the Team Championship (-11) with a joint best score of the day of 68 strokes. Second place was shared by 4Aces GC and Iron Heads GC with the two captains Dustin Johnson and Kevin Na (-8).

After the final round, team captain Cameron Smith was visibly relieved: “Yeah, it was pretty unreal. Yeah, so proud. There was something in me that was going to tell me that the boys were going to come through. The Gladiator, the last four of the five holes, pretty unbelievable. Really cool stuff. I mean, to be a part of this is unreal, especially with these guys.”

Categories
Highlights Tours

“I Was Pretty Nervous” – Andy Murray Celebrates Golf Debut at Pro-Am

Andy Murray at the BMW PGA Championship 2024 Pro-Am on the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Andy Murray at the BMW PGA Championship 2024 Pro-Am on the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)

“I played tennis. I now play golf” – With these words, Andy Murray announced that he would be switching to golf when his tennis career came to an end. A few weeks later, he was able to put his skills to the test for the first time in the Pro-Am of the BMW PGA Championship 2024 on the DP World Tour and gave a thoroughly respectable performance alongside Robert MacIntyre. Afterwards, Murray spoke about the event and his future as a golfer.

The Leaderboard of the BMW PGA Championship 2024

Andy Murray: “A Brilliant Experience For Me”

Q. How was that?

ANDY MURRAY: It was good. A brilliant experience for me. To be out there with one of the best in the world for me, it was brilliant.

Q. How nervous were you?

ANDY MURRAY: I was pretty nervous. I couldn’t really feel my arms and legs. I didn’t really hit any balls on the range beforehand. Yeah, I was feeling it. But it got better. It got better as the round went on.

Q. How does this compare to walking out at Wimbledon? More nervous?

ANDY MURRAY: It’s a different sort of nerves. Different sort of nerves because you are comfortable in the sort of tennis environment. I’m not thinking I’m going to walk out on the tennis court and forget how to hit the ball. You just, you want to perform well. Whereas here, you’re sort of nervous about — there’s people standing like five metres away from where I’m driving, and I’m like, I’m useless at this game.

Yeah, you just want to try and keep the ball in play and don’t mess up too much.

Q. Quite a group, wasn’t it?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, Anton is the entertainer out there. Jimmy was really, really nice. He can hit the ball miles. And obviously playing with Bob MacIntyre, being a Scot, is really special, yeah.

Q. Does this give you the bug? Do you want more of this? Possibly, who knows, Dunhill in a couple of weeks’ time?

ANDY MURRAY: I’m happy playing in front of nobody to be honest. But yeah, look, I really enjoy like playing. I’ve obviously got a lot of free time just now, so playing a few times a week. Yeah, having lessons and just enjoying having something to focus my attention on.

Yeah, like I said, lots of free time to do it.

Q. And in terms of having free time, Anton Du Beke, one of your partners today, your mother’s been on Strictly. Could we see another Murray there in 12 months’ time?

ANDY MURRAY: That’s highly unlikely. Don’t know what my brother will be doing. But it certainly won’t be me, that’s for sure.

Q. How many hours have you put in on the range since you retired?

ANDY MURRAY: I haven’t played loads weekends but during the week, probably a few hours, 2 1/2, three hours probably.

I think my expectations currently are pretty low. I’m not expecting to play very well. But yeah, I can see how if you’re playing a lot and practising a lot and getting better and better, that changes.

But no, I haven’t been hard on myself yet.

Q. Getting down to scratch, is that a real aim? How long will it take you?

ANDY MURRAY: A couple years probably. I think so. I mean, I’m obviously getting to practise a lot more than the average person. I obviously played a bit when I was younger, and if I can get the right sort of lessons and practise the right things, then yeah, I’ve got a chance of doing that I think in a couple years.

Will you the lessons have made a huge difference. That’s been the most important thing for me. I used to go down to the range and hit lots of balls, and I could hit a few good ones.

But if you have a fundamental flaw in your swing or what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter how many balls you hit on the range. So getting lessons and practising those things is helping.

Q. Your parents have a house in Dunblane. Fancy hitting a few balls up there?

ANDY MURRAY: That’s where we used to tee off on the second tee. In the evenings, we would go out with our parents or grandparents and start on the second tee and play four or five holes in the summers after tennis training or after school, and that’s how we sort of got into school as a family thing. Got to spend time with our dad or our grandparents which was really nice.

Yeah, I want to spend more time up in Scotland now that I’ve got more free time.

Q. Do you see a membership coming your way?

ANDY MURRAY: I have a membership there. I got a membership at Dunblane. There’s obviously so many amazing courses up in Scotland. Look forward to getting to play on some of them.

Q. Your father was on the bag today. Bob won the Canadian Open with his dad on the bag. Was that a topic of conversation?

ANDY MURRAY: My dad might be getting the sack after his performance today. He spent most of his time sort of following Bob around. Like, I need my clubs; I need to putt.

But no, it was brilliant. For me, it’s special, during my tennis career, I didn’t get to spend loads of time with my dad travel and everything. So getting to do that, it was a really cool day, as well. I don’t know if he’ll want to caddie for me again but I enjoyed having him here.

Q. What was the high point, your favourite shot, and more importantly, the low point, the worst shot?

ANDY MURRAY: The low point was I had an approach shot over water about 85 yards. For me, those distances, that’s the thing I found really difficult, the sort of 50- to 80-yard shots I found hard. We were talking on the build up to it. Me and Jimmy were like, “I hate these shots,” and both of us hit it right in the middle of the water completely fat.

So for me, that was — I hit one bad — like really bad drive. For the most part it was solid. It was better than what I was expecting.

Q. A few fist-pumps out there today?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I’ve not lost that. Still enjoyed scoring and hitting good shots and stuff. I’m not bothered whether I win or lose in an event like this, but I still want to try to do as well as I can and I still enjoy competing.

Obviously it’s never going to replace what you had on the tennis court, but being out there with your friends and competing with them and against yourself and stuff is fun.

So today, yeah, you hit enough bad shots in golf, you’ve got to give yourself a pat on back when you hit the odd good one.

Q. Have you lost weight?

ANDY MURRAY: I haven’t been to the gym for five weeks. I said to my wife, I was like, Look, I’m going to make sure when I stop, I’m going to make sure I stay in good shape.

And she said, Oh, if you’re just going to go and play golf, I don’t want that. I was — No, no, I’ll get myself in the gym, make sure I stay in shape.

I went to the gym three of the first four days after I stopped, worked really hard, and then went up to Scotland for a couple of days for a holiday, and haven’t been back since. It’s been five weeks I’ve not been in the gym, longest ever for me probably. I don’t know if it’s like appetite, if I’m not eating as much, but we obviously have like loads of the sport drinks have got lot of calories in them, and I only really drink water and coffee now.

So I don’t know, I think just less calories and probably loss of muscle. I’ve lost about 11, 12 pounds. It’s a lot. I was expecting the opposite to happen. It’s about five kilos, yeah.

Andy Murray at the Pro-Am of the BMW PGA Championship 2024

A look at Andy Murray’s highlights definitely shows a good disposition – especially knowing that the former tennis star has only been training for a few weeks. Murray hit the odd good shot alongside Robert MacIntyre.

In addition to compatriot MacIntyre, Murray also met Rory McIlroy.

The Scot responded to the countless comments on X (Twitter) about improving his golf swing with a wink: “Huge thanks to all the amateur golfers on social media for their constructive criticism of my golf swing. Much appreciated.”

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Highlights Tours

Rory McIlroy On LIV-Deal: “Half the Players Don’t Want the Deal”

Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)

A key topic at Rory McIlroy’s press conference ahead of the BMW PGA Championship 2024 was the potential deal between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. The 35-year-old spoke about the central role of the Ministry of Justice and the divided opinions of players on both tours. Popular PGA Tour pro Michael S. Kim, among others, commented on the topic on X (Twitter).

The Leaderboard of the BMW PGA Championship 2024

Rory McIlroy: “Would Benefit Some People For A Deal Not To Get Done”

Q. What do you think is the major stumbling block or blocks holding up any chance of a deal between LIV and PGA TOUR and the DP World Tour?

RORY McILROY: Department of Justice. Maybe different interests from the players’ side. I’d say — it’s pretty similar. I’d say maybe half the players on LIV want the deal to get done; half probably don’t. I’d say it’s probably similar on the PGA TOUR. Because just like anything, everyone’s looking out for themselves and their best interests. You know, it would benefit some people for a deal not to get done, but it would obviously benefit some people for a deal to get done.

Yeah, I think there’s different opinions amongst the players about what should happen, and I think when you have a members’ run organisation, it complicates things a little bit, especially when should of those players are having to make decisions on the business side of things. So those are the two. I think the tours want it to happen. The investors certainly want it to happen because they can see the benefit for themselves.

But right now, it’s DOJ and differing opinions of the players.

Q. You know much more about LIV and things but we heard in the last few days that the last meeting that was last week, or just before that, but there was a more optimistic or it there is a more optimistic mood about that as a result of that meeting. As I say, you know much more about this than we do. Is that your feeling, too?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I believe so. I wasn’t a part of those meetings, so I don’t — I may be know a touch more than you do but not a ton.

But yeah, as I said, I think one of the stumbling blocks is the Department of Justice, and I think — I think trying to approach that from a collaborative standpoint, I think seems to be the best way forward.

So yeah, I think to me it seems like the people that are really making the decisions are all rowing in the same direction, which is a really good thing. And even if they are all rowing in the same direction, it still doesn’t mean that a deal may get done because it’s just a very complicated set of circumstances.

But yeah, from what I hear, there’s optimism there, and that’s good to see.

Q. As you said, it’s a very complex scenario at the moment for the game in general. I just wonder what your feelings are with regard to the DP World Tour, the reports this week of potentially a deal being done that could have some kind of relationship with the PIF or with LIV, would that be in any way desirable in your opinion to in some way find a pathway out of this?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, you know, if things don’t materialise with the PGA TOUR, I think it would — you know, it would — I think it would maybe bring The European Tour back to like the ’80s and ’90s when there was like really two strong tours.

But it keeps the game divided and I don’t like that. You know, I really want the game to come back together. It would be Plan B. It would be maybe an alternative to the best solution.

And look, selfishly as a European, it would be wonderful to get that investment and to use that money in the right way for this tour. But it still keeps the game divided, which I just can’t quite get on board with, and I’d love to see everything and everyone come back together.

Michael S. Kim: “Do I want a deal? My short answer is No but I don’t care much”

On X (Twitter), PGA Tour pro Michael S. Kim was among those reacting to Rory McIlroy’s press conference. Kim, who is hardly known on the PGA Tour, now has almost 126,000 followers on X. The reason for this comparatively high number is his entertaining posts on the platform and his insights into life as a professional golfer. He wrote about McIlroy’s press conference: “Do I want a deal? My short answer is No but I don’t care much.” The 31-year-old explained that, in his opinion, a deal would only affect the top 30 golfers in the world anyway and would not have a major impact on the other players on the tours. He also doubted that the return of some LIV players to tournaments on the PGA Tour would have little impact on spectator numbers and therefore the financial aspect. A more sensible focus would be to improve the TV broadcasts.

Categories
European Tour

Rory McIlroy About Ryder Cup Captaincy: “Some I Wouldn’t Be Okay With”

Rory McIlroy at the press conference ahead of the BMW PGA Championship 2024 (Photos: Getty)
Rory McIlroy at the press conference ahead of the BMW PGA Championship 2024 (Photos: Getty)

The BMW PGA Championship 2024 is a season highlight on the DP World Tour. After his narrow defeat last week in Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy is playing another of his “favorite tournaments of the year” this week. Ahead of the event, McIlroy answered questions from the press at Wentworth Golf Club and spoke about Jon Rahm’s participation in the Ryder Cup 2025, as well as his requirements for a European captain.

The Leaderboard of the BMW PGA Championship 2024

Rory McIlroy: “Jon Rahm Is A Wonderful Addition to the European Team”

MATTHEW JOULE: World No. 3, Rory McIlroy.

Rory, Royal County Down last week, BMW PGA Championship this week. How nice to be on the DP World Tour this time of year where the big events just keep oncoming?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it’s amazing. Yeah, I mean, in all honesty, I was really excited to get back and play — obviously play last week. Play this week and the Dunhill in a couple of weeks’ time as well. You know, three of my favourite events of the year.

Yeah, here at Wentworth, the sun is shining and so many people out there on a Wednesday. There’s not many better places to be. So excited to be here. Looking forward to getting back on the horse after what happened last Sunday and giving it another go.

Q. May I ask the same question that I asked Justin yesterday, and that is, can you conceive of a Ryder Cup Team without Jon Rahm?

RORY McILROY: Yeah. He could be injured; his game could go off.

But Jon Rahm, the way he’s playing right now and the way he’s played since he turned pro in 2016 or ’17 or whatever it is, Jon Rahm is a wonderful addition to the European Team.

Q. I meant ruled out because of an inability to follow the rules. That’s what I meant.

RORY McILROY: Well, from my understanding, he is following the rules. He appealed the decision or whatever it is that he did. So that makes him eligible, as long as he plays his minimum number of events, like Members of the Tour have to do to be eligible for the Ryder Cup.

So I wouldn’t expect someone that as a Member of the Tour, you know what the rules are to be able to play a Ryder Cup and be eligible, and as long as you meet that criteria, then you’re okay to play.

McIlroy Sets Clear Requirements For A Ryder Cup Captaincy

Q. Back on the Ryder Cup theme again just for a second if you don’t mind. You may or may not have seen quotes related to Ian Poulter over the last couple of days saying that he still harbors hopes of being a European captain at some point. Is it plausible, or given everything is there too much water gone under that bridge, do you think?

RORY McILROY: I think it’s hard because we don’t really see them anymore, especially — I’m not sure if Poults gave up his European Tour Membership. You know, you need someone around that’s comfortable. You look at what Luke has done the last few years, he’s really made an effort to come over. He played in Czech Republic. He was in Switzerland.

He’s making an effort to be around the players and be — make the players feel comfortable with him, the up-and-comers that haven’t had a chance yet to be on a team or trying to make a team.

With the guys that left, Poulter, Westwood, we don’t — how can these young up and comers, you know, build a rapport with them when they are never here? You can’t see them. I think that’s a really important part of a Ryder Cup and a Ryder Cup captaincy.

I’m not saying that Poulter doesn’t have the credentials to be a Ryder Cup Captain, but I just think with the current state of where everything is, you need someone that’s around and showing their face as much as they can. Right now, that honestly just can’t be them because they are elsewhere.

NB: Under current DP World Tour regulations, any Member who fails to comply with the minimum Counting Tournament Regulation in any one Official Season or who does not take up Ranked Membership in an Official Season in which he is so eligible (ie: falls out of Membership) will be ineligible thereafter to be selected as the European Ryder Cup Captain or Vice Captain.

Q. On a personal level, would you have any objections to being captained by Ian Poulter or Lee Westwood or whoever else could potentially be?

RORY McILROY: It’s such a gray area. There’s some that I would be okay with and others I wouldn’t be okay with. Sorry to put them all in the same bucket.

Categories
Travel

Experience Golf Club Bellosguardo: Top Course and Friendly Atmosphere

The Golf Club Bellosguardo in Italy. (Photo: Golf Club Bellosguardo)
The Golf Club Bellosguardo in Italy. (Photo: Golf Club Bellosguardo)

The Golf Club Bellosguardo is situated in Vinci, Florence, within the region of Tuscany, Italy. This location provides an excellent setting for golf enthusiasts who wish to experience both the game and the scenic views unique to this part of Italy.

Golf Club Bellosguardo: Precision Is Essential on the Fairways

The Golf Club Bellosguardo is known for its friendly atmosphere and well-maintained course. It accommodates all types of players by providing different tee boxes. This flexibility allows golfers to choose a start that matches their skill level. One critical aspect to note is the layout of its fairways. Although they are relatively wide, precision remains essential to a successful game. A notable feature is the seventh hole, which involves a right dogleg around a lake, posing a challenging aspect for players.

Analyzing the course conditions, it becomes clear that maintenance is a priority at Bellosguardo. This commitment to upkeep ensures that the playing surface and overall environment are in excellent condition for all visitors. The club offers green fee packages, including a set of 10 green fees, which can be advantageous for regular players.

In conclusion, GC Bellosguardo in Vinci, Florence, provides a versatile golfing experience suited to various playing levels. Its emphasis on well-maintained fairways and challenging layouts, coupled with a friendly atmosphere, makes it a noteworthy destination for golf enthusiasts in Tuscany.

Categories
Highlights Tours

Solheim Cup 2024: “The Most Fun I’ve Had on a Golf Course” -Team USA’s Winner Press Conference

Team USA at the Press Conference after winning the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Team USA at the Press Conference after winning the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photo: Getty)

The Solheim Cup 2024 seemed to have been decided after the first two days of the tournament and after the first singles matches at the latest. However, Team Europe fought their way back into the competition in impressive fashion and ensured excitement on the final day, which was ultimately decided by Lilia Vu in favor of the Americans. Afterwards, a visibly relieved and happy Team USA answered questions from the media. The winners’ press conference.

Solheim Cup 2024: Proud US fans and European criticism of Pettersen

Solheim Cup 2024: “Maybe she’ll make another one” – Thompson-Farewell?

THE MODERATOR: Hello, everyone, and welcome to the media center for the 2024 Solheim Cup. I am joined by the victorious United States team. Stacy, just talk about how proud you are of this team and the week you all have had.

STACY LEWIS: Yeah, it was an amazing week from the start. We started the week off Monday going around D.C. and we had a great day.

From the moment this team was together, they were together. There was no we needed a couple days or anything like that. The vibe in the team room was amazing, the way they got along, the way they support each other. Our group of caddies were off-the-charts keeping the team room loose, making sure everybody had fun, and it showed. It showed in the golf that was played.

I’m just so proud of them. I’m proud that they get this moment where they get to celebrate tonight and win this Cup.

Q. Megan, you went back-to-back years undefeated in the Solheim Cup, a huge feat. Heck yeah. Just talk about how important both those experiences were for you.

To be able to go undefeated for both Solheims, it’s been incredible and a dream come true. Hopefully keep the streak alive and make the next Solheim Cup in 2026 in the Netherlands.

Q. Rose, you went 4-0 this week. I believe you never saw the 16th hole. Talk about your week and how awesome it was.

ROSE ZHANG: Oh, it’s been absolutely incredible. I feel like starting off the beginning of the week, I just felt so comfortable with everyone. The whole team has just been — they’ve just been so friendly, and everyone has had a good time in the team room, on the golf course. Like Stacy said, it translated over to the golf course.

I felt a lot more loose than I did last year, and it was good vibes all around.

Q. Lilia, you earned the point to capture the victory for the U.S. Team. How important was that for not only yourself but for the team?

LILIA VU: It was so important. I felt like in the middle of the match the wheels were kind of falling off. 16 I hit it through the green and into the bunker and I knew I had to make up-and-down.

And then somehow birdied 17 and was able to hit it really close on 18. I knew — I looked at the leaderboard, saw we had 14 points, and like Stacy said at the beginning of the week, half points matter. I only had one goal was to get it close and get that birdie.

Q. Stacy, when you accepted the captaincy in 2022, you said that the team needed you now. What did the team need back then, and do you think you met what the team needed?

STACY LEWIS: They needed to have fun and they needed to enjoy this. This needed to do that but also needed to play good golf. I think there was a lot of tension of trying to play perfect golf and not enjoying it in the process.

This team enjoyed this week more than the golf itself. They had so much fun together. They picked each other up when they needed it. They did whatever I asked of them. They were great, offering feedback on pairings.

Q. Lauren, I’m curious of the experience of playing in your home state and winning in your home state was like for you?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: I mean, it was my first Solheim so I don’t really have anything else to compare it to, but it was an amazing week. I wouldn’t change anything. I had an absolute blast with everybody out here, the caddies, my teammates, captains, our families that were around. It was a very special week.

Q. Lexi, potentially that was your final moment with your teammates out there. What did it mean to get a win in your potential final Cup?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it was very special. It meant the world to me just to be here and to be part of this team. These girls are incredible.

Words can’t really describe just the personalities on this team and the talent that each and every one of them has. Like they’ve all said, from the beginning of the week, there was just something about this team that was different, the atmosphere, the energy from the team rooms to the bus rides to the first tee experience.

There was nothing like it, and just how we all came together and had fun and played some amazing golf on top of it. It was just great to be part of it.

Q. Stacy, you turned and you passed the Cup to Lexi, kind of reminded me of the Stanley Cup in hockey when players do that. Why was it important for her to have that moment?

STACY LEWIS: Because she deserves that moment. I think she was kind of one of those first players to really get that first tee going loud and going crazy, and I think the Solheim Cup is what it is because Lexi started that, and she started with that energy.

All of my favorite Lexi memories are at the Solheim Cup. I’m just super proud of her. I know today was hard. It was a hard day for her emotionally, I think. Just proud of her fight.

She’s been a leader of this team for a long time. On and off, she leads by the way she prepares and the way she goes about her business. Who knows, maybe she’ll make another one.

Q. Rose, we asked you earlier this week what is it about playing in this air that fits your comfort zone. After going 4-0 here, do you think it might be the grass, the air? Any thoughts after another win outside D.C.?

ROSE ZHANG: Maybe the grass and the air. I’d like to say — it’s just been really comfortable to be playing on bentgrass and playing on these types of golf courses. The fans, I’ve always just thought about how great the fans were.

When they came out and just represented USA and how loud they were, it was just so cool to witness and to feel that inside the ropes.

The first time that I really played back in 2020, it was still COVID, and it was the U.S. Amateur. I don’t really consider that a full-on experience. I’d only consider that the golf course.

Other than that, this week has been just incredible with the golf course and the fans.

STACY LEWIS: I will add that in my day she had the highest course fit rating of anybody on this team, so there’s that part, too. The golf course was made for you, Rose.

Solheim Cup 2024 – Nelly Korda: “Probably the most fun I’ve had on a golf course ever”

Q. Nelly, I’m curious where this week ranks on the fun scale for you over the course of your career.

NELLY KORDA: This was probably the most fun I’ve had on a golf course ever. Just the team, the team environment, the caddies, everyone getting along, the fans. Everyone was so incredible. We all vibed really well off of each other. This is probably the most I’ve laughed and the most I’ve fist pumped ever on a golf course. It was just an amazing week and a dream come true.

Q. Where are the big bottles of champagne?

STACY LEWIS: We haven’t even been back to the team room yet. I think there were a couple. I think they drank them already.

Q. That was a little bit of a joke, but you look a little bit drained up there. You look very relieved. Do you feel like a burden has been lifted and you can just exhale?

STACY LEWIS: I feel that way. I don’t know how the rest of them feel. How do you guys feel?

MEGAN KHANG: I got some choice words that I’m not going to say, but we feel good.

ANGELA STANFORD: We feel like a million dollars, because we got the Cup.

Q. Do you feel like you celebrate in a more mature way than the guys?

STACY LEWIS: We haven’t gotten a chance to yet.

MEGAN KHANG: Have them bring the bottles out and we’ll see.

LAUREN COUGHLIN: We haven’t gotten to celebrate yet.

Q. Lauren, you mentioned that I think you came here four times beforehand. In any of those times did you ever practice a putt to win the Cup?

LAUREN COUGHLIN: So Terry, my caddie, came up the week before Canada, and on the 18th hole he put a putt down and he said, this is to win the Solheim Cup, and I made it.

Q. Suzann was in here just a little while ago and she was a little emotional. Have there been moments since you won that it’s been a little overwhelming for you or that the emotions have really hit you?

STACY LEWIS: Right now, no. Similar to her, in Spain, it didn’t really hit me until I got on the airplane and I was sitting on the airplane with my daughter and she was sleeping and I just lost it and I started crying.

I was like, we did all this work for these girls to play to a tie, and that was literally the only moment. From that point though on it was right back to work because I don’t want that to happen again.

There were parts of this journey that were hard. It was busy. There was a lot of work at times. There were frustrating things at times.

But that’s part of it, and just to watch them celebrate and to see Lilia pull off that shot in that moment was just really, really special.

Q. Do you think now after you leave here you’ll be able to finally, like you said, exhale and enjoy the moment?

STACY LEWIS: Yeah, the shoulders are already down, so we’re going to enjoy the moment. We’re going to celebrate. This has been seven years in the making for a lot of the women on this stage.

There’s a lot — actually 10 that haven’t had this celebration yet, so we’re going back to the team room to celebrate.

Q. Knowing how much you love analytics, now that the matches are over, can you share some of the specific metrics you were using to help determine some of the pairings?

STACY LEWIS: No. No. I mean, a lot of it, it’s got to stay within this team. The assistants know it. We know what works, and I think I’ve got the buy-in now from this team, as well.

But yeah, we’re going to keep a lot of that to ourselves. But I’ll tell you one thing is this team played really, really good this week. It doesn’t matter the pairings or any of that. If you play really, really good golf, you’re going to win.

Q. Stacy, the business is now finished. Can you just speak to what that means?

STACY LEWIS: It’s a little strange, to be honest. I don’t know what I’m going to do next week now.

Yeah, I mean, the job was to get the Cup, and we finished the job. I don’t know what we do now. I hadn’t thought past this moment, to be honest.

Other than we celebrate, I’ve got to get my daughter back home to go to school on Tuesday, but past that, I don’t know what’s next.

MEGAN KHANG: But that’s Tuesday, and it’s Sunday.

STACY LEWIS: Exactly. That’s my point.

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Solheim Cup 2024: Proud US Fans and European Criticism of Pettersen

Team USA wins the Solheim Cup 2024 in front of a home crowd. (Photo: Getty)
Team USA wins the Solheim Cup 2024 in front of a home crowd. (Photo: Getty)

The Solheim Cup 2024 was deservedly won by Team USA. The hosts were particularly impressive on the first two days in the Foursomes and Fourballs and their triumph created a great atmosphere among US fans on social media. While a large proportion of European fans were proud of their team’s performance, there was also a lot of criticism of Solheim captain Suzann Pettersen on social media – with Leona Maguire in the middle.

Team USA wins the Solheim Cup 2024

Solheim Cup 2024: Much criticism of captain Pettersen’s decisions

Alongside many positive reactions to Team Europe’s performance, much of the criticism from European fans on X (Twitter) was directed at captain Suzann Pettersen. At the center of the discussions surrounding Pettersen’s decisions regarding playing times and pairings was Ireland’s Leona Maguire. She had only played one fourball match on Friday (6&4 USA) and did not play at all on Saturday. According to Maguire, she played her singles match on Sunday with “extra motivation” and impressed with a dominant victory against Ally Ewing (4&3). After losing the Solheim Cup 2024, the Irishwoman was a little frustrated about the few appearances: “I feel like I’ve been playing really great golf all week in practice and it was a bitter pill to swallow to be sat out for as many sessions as I was. [Pettersen] didn’t give much reason, to be honest.” Maguire also responded to a post on X about her singles win by saying “form is temporary, class is permanent” – a possible dig at captain Suzann Pettersen’s decision.

Leona Maguire was definitely not alone in her frustration on social media. For example, X-user @poconnell383 wrote: “Very bizarre selections – no Leona all Saturday.” A similar sentiment was shared by @ColmMurf: “Pleased to see Leona’s one-on-one proved her captain inept. How she was picked for just one game was outrageous.” And @NeilFonda also expressed surprise at the European captain’s decisions: “It’s absolutely outrageous that Pettersen hasn’t explained why Leona McGuire was left out of 3 sessions!”

It is therefore not surprising that some European fans are calling for a new team captain for the 2026 Solheim Cup in the Netherlands. X-user @HoundDogBedtime, for example, also blamed Pettersen’s decisions for the defeat: “I hope they pick up on the mistakes Pettersen made: Captain’s picks and match compositions were extremely poor.” Users like @john_cross4 and @mantom62 even spoke openly in favor of a new captain.

Alongside all the criticism, however, there are also countless comments from European fans who are proud of Team Europe. Posts like the one from X user @Ursina70 piled up: “Great team, what a battle in the singles! I enjoyed every moment and almost lost my voice shouting “GO Europe” in the middle of that huge US crowd…”

Solheim Cup 2024: Euphoria among US fans and praise from the European camp

Unsurprisingly, there is euphoria among US fans on social media now that the Solheim Cup is back in the hands of Team USA for the first time since 2017. There are countless comments like @golfrichmar under posts on the US women’s X account: “Way to make it interesting ladies and thanks for bringing the Cup back home where it belongs.”

But many European fans like @reid1234576 also praised the performance of the American golfers: “Devastated for Europe, but USA played amazing”

In two years’ time, Team Europe will have the opportunity to regain the trophy in the Netherlands. Possibly again with Esther Henseleit and Leona Maguire and without team captain Suzann Pettersen.