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Ryder Cup 2023: Sepp Straka talks about not feeling his arms

Sepp Straka wants to learn from veterans Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)
Sepp Straka wants to learn from veterans Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)

Sepp Straka, the golf prodigy from Austria, shared his delightful experiences from Team Europe’s at the Ryder Cup 2023 locker room, emphasizing the immense bonding and camaraderie the team has developed. “Starting with the practice trip we had here a couple of weeks ago, and even during Wentworth… today was a great day. The team bonding has been incredible,” Straka shared.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

A Journey through Cultures

Straka delves into his personal journey, sharing insights about his cultural assimilation after moving to the States at 14. While he acknowledges the American influence, he harbors a deep connection to his Austrian lineage, “My dad is Austrian. Always made sure I spent a lot of time going back.”

Reflecting on his childhood vacations, he recalls with nostalgia the family trips to Italy, specifically Venice and Legnano,  “it was always our number one destination for trips as a kid. We always drove down to Venice, Legnano. We also did a lot of our junior camps over winter in Legnano. Yeah, always brings back memories coming back to Italy.”

His Austrian roots mixed with his American upbringing have brought a distinctive aura in the team, echoing his multifaceted identity. “I’ve grown up kind of split… I’ve always felt really close to my Austrian heritage,” Straka remarks, emphasizing his dual allegiance. Straka’s enthusiastic participation in team dinners and practice rounds highlights his commitment to fostering unity and building strong connections within the team.

Confronting the pressures at the Ryder Cup 2023

The intense pressure synonymous with the first tee is a topic many players converse about, and Straka is no exception. He reveals his strategy for managing the stress, “You’ve just got to stick to your routine in that situation,” he states, emphasizing the importance of maintaining normalcy in high-pressure environments.

His curiosity and enthusiasm are evident as he seeks advice from veterans like Justin Rose and Rory, aiming to gather insights and perspectives to navigate through his first Ryder Cup experience: “Yeah, definitely, you’ve got to lean on those guys. It’s incredible how many Ryder Cups they have been a part of and been successful in. Yeah, a typical question like, ‘What do you on the first tee box when you can’t feel your arms,’ kind of thing. But yeah, overall the goal is you’ve just got to play golf. But yeah, just sharing stories and hearing stories from them has been helpful.”

“What do you do when you can’t feel your arms?”, the interviewer asked “Hope, I guess. Yeah, maybe just stick to the routine and hope you make a good swing”, Straka responded laughing.

Fourballs or Foursome?

Straka shares his neutrality when it comes to choosing between fourballs or foursomes, citing the different mentalities required for each. He sheds light on the challenges of maintaining rhythm in foursomes, “It’s hard to get into rhythm sometimes, just because you’re only hitting every other shot.”

Straka didn’t hold back in expressing his admiration for the course, finding it highly suitable for match play.  “It’s a good course. It will be great for match play. There’s a lot of high-risk reward shots and a couple drivable par fours and reachable par fives. I think that will be really fun to watch and really fun to play.” Straka’s favorite, number five, stands out as a cool reachable par four, highlighting his penchant for strategic play. Alltough he mentioned the rough as quite a challenging part of the Ryder Cup course. “It’s very thick (…) the blades are really thick and it’s very different than anything you see almost anywhere.”

(This text was created with the help of AI)

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Ryder Cup 2023: “Obviously we enjoy to beat the Americans” – Viktor Hovland

Viktor Hovland hopes to secoure the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)
Viktor Hovland hopes to secoure the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)

Viktor Hovland, the golf sensation from Team Europe, has had a remarkable individual season. As he steps into the much-anticipated Ryder Cup 2023, he expresses his eagerness to translate his individual accomplishments into a unified team victory. Despite the exceptional year, Hovland maintains a team-first perspective, emphasizing that personal achievements “go out the window” when it comes to the Ryder Cup. The motivation to bring the Cup back to Europe, especially after the events of two years ago, remains high among all team members.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Hovland eyeing a turnaround from last Ryder Cup

Hovland reflected on his experience at Whistling Straits two years ago, acknowledging the challenges Team Europe faced against a strong U.S. Team: “I felt like I played okay, but I lacked the special things in the matches to where you really flip the momentum around and you can build on a big putt or an up-and-down or maybe a chip-in or something like that. That just wasn’t there”. This year, he brings a more refined game, supplemented with improvements in the short game and a series of accomplishments throughout the year, fostering a belief and confidence that he can extract himself from any situation.

Sharpening the Short Game

The acknowledgment of his limitations around the greens led Hovland to seek guidance from Joe Mayo at the start of the year. With Mayo’s insights into the physics of the short game, Hovland has been working meticulously to enhance his capabilities, understanding the essential differences in approach needed for long drives and short games. “He basically just explained the physics of why I didn’t have a great short game before. It wasn’t because I wasn’t talented enough or I didn’t have the “hands” to do it. I was essentially just getting a little too shallow into the ball and getting way behind it.”

Hate at the Ryder Cup 2023

Hovland was asked about the changing of the rivalry at the Ryder Cup. The reporter reffered his question to former players like Paul McGinley: “Talking to guys like Paul McGinley, he speaks a lot about the rivalry that used to be more clear in the way that Europeans played in Europe, Americans played in America. Nowadays, you guys pretty much all play together. You’ve grown up with Collin Morikawa. How does it affect the rivalry of the Ryder Cup, in your opinion?”

“I can’t speak for the guys that played in the past,” Hovland said, “but it seems that we probably hate each other less than guys used to in the past. “But sure, hate is a big motivator to do well. That’s just a fact. But I think where we are now, we’re more motivated maybe to win for our country and continent. We want to win for Europe. It’s not so much to — obviously we want to beat the Americans. We enjoy that. “But it’s not because we hate the other team. It’s because we love Europe and we want to do well for the people that support us.”

The Role and Impact of Rankings in the Ryder Cup

Despite being one of the highest-ranked players in Team Europe, Hovland downplayed the emphasis on World Rankings: “It just goes out the window this week. Whatever technically the 12th ranked player on the team could be the best player on their team right now, so just because someone is ranked a little bit higher on the World Rankings doesn’t mean that they’re going to be tougher to beat this week.”

(This text was created with the help of AI)

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Ryder Cup 2023 – Jon Rahm: “I would pay to play”

Jon Rahm said he would pay to play in the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)
Jon Rahm said he would pay to play in the Ryder Cup 2023. (Source: Getty)

The Ryder Cup 2023 is going to be the third appearance at the prestigious tournament for Jon Rahm. The experienced spaniard, a pivotal figure for Team Europe, radiates an infectious enthusiasm about the Ryder Cup. The camaraderie, the competition, and the collective commitment to victory are elements that Rahm emphasized during a press conference on Tuesday.

Leaderboard of the Ryder Cup 2023

Jon Rahm love the team feeling at the Ryder Cup 2023

Jon Rahm of Team Europe brought forth his views and experiences associated with the Ryder Cup. “It’s incredible,” he shares, speaking about his anticipation and enjoyment at the prestigious event, highlighting the special bonds created amongst the elite golfers. Rahm reveals, “The greatest thing of the Ryder Cup… is going in that team room and seeing all these great golfers come together.” He paints a vivid picture of the unity and enduring relationships that blossom through shared victories and defeats within the team room, enriching the sport’s landscape.

“I don’t have to get paid to come here and perform in front of people.”

While discussing the commercial aspect of the sport, Rahm makes it clear that his passion for golf transcends material gain. Unaware of the financial perks, he admits, “I didn’t even know we got any money… Me, yeah, I don’t have to get paid to come here and perform in front of people.” It’s the love for the game and the joy derived from it that drives him. He even humorously entertains the idea of paying an entry fee to be part of the team: “Probably, yes,” Rahm said, when asked about, if he would pay to play in the Ryder Cup 2023. “This week is a lot of fun, so yeah, I think as long as it’s manageable for everybody on the team, because we have one that was in college like two days ago”, he joked about Ludvig Aberg, who notably, was playing college golf as late as May.  

With new talent like Aberg integrating into the team, Rahm shares insights on the challenges and adaptations involved in transitioning from college to professional golf. He commends Aberg’s potential and advises rookies to stay curious, seek advice, and learn from experienced players. Rahm confesses his introverted nature made his first Ryder Cup daunting, but the subsequent experience was easier and more enriching.

No extra pressure despite ranking

Rahm’s humility and team-centric approach shine through as he dismisses the pressures of being one of the top-ranked players in Team Europe. “It shouldn’t really impact how we prepare for this week,” he stresses, emphasizing that personal achievements should not overshadow the collective goal. It’s the game’s match play nature that resonates with Rahm, where individual focus aligns with the team’s success.

Reflecting on the event’s historical significance, Rahm denotes the ‘87 Ryder Cup victory on American soil and the emotion-laden ‘06 Ryder Cup as monumental moments that fuel his motivation. These moments, coupled with individual accomplishments like Sergio Garcia becoming the all-time leader in points for Europe, showcase the myriad of inspiring stories within the Ryder Cup’s rich history.

(This text was created with the help of AI)

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Foursome format – the rules in match play

Foursome is one of the forms of play at the Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Foursome is one of the forms of play at the Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

In foursomes, two teams (usually two players each) compete against each other. Within a team, players take turns stroke by stroke: Player “A” tees off. Once at the ball, player B takes the second shot with the same ball. This continues until the respective team has holed the ball in team work.

A tactically extremely important decision is made by the team before the match even begins: the two team members agree on who will tee off on the even holes and who will tee off on the odd holes. Depending on who feels confident with their driver or irons, the par 3 and par 5 holes can be divided accordingly.

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Foursomes – Matchplay with your partner

Foursomes can be played both as stroke play and as match play. Alltough the match play variant is the most common and is also played in this form at major team events such as the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup. In English, the foursomes format of play is also often referred to as the “Alternate Shot”.

The Foursome Teams at the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup

In major tournaments such as the Ryder Cup or the Solheim Cup, the captains of both teams have to take great care in deciding their lineups for the foursomes format. Playing strength and current form must be factored into the decision on pairings, but equally the captains would have to pay attention to the human element in the lineup – the players must function as a team.

Ryder Cup 2023: Rules and Format

In addition, golfers should ideally complement each other in many ways. For example, a popular option is to pair rookies, who are on the team for the first time in a major tournament, with an experienced player. Some pairings have already proven themselves in previous events and have a strong record together – so it is logical not to change anything. In the end, gut feeling certainly plays a not insignificant role in the pairing of the captains.

Ryder Cup 2023 Tee Times
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Ryder Cup 2023: Rules and Format

The Ryder Cup is played in a match-play format. Here are the rules and formats. (Image: Getty)
The Ryder Cup is played in a match-play format. Here are the rules and formats. (Image: Getty)

The Ryder Cup is the most prestigious team event in golf. Every two years, the twelve best golfers from the United States and Europe face off against each other. The Ryder Cup was first held in 1927, and since then, this top event alternates between the European and American continents.

Ryder Cup 2023
Date September 29 – October 1, 2023
Location Marco Simone GCC, Rome, Italy
Participants Team USA vs. Team Europe
Format Matchplay (Fourball / Foursome / Single Matches)

Tournament Format and Match Formats

The Ryder Cup takes place over three days in a match-play format, where golfers compete head-to-head. A total of 28 matches are played over 18 holes during the tournament. Three different game formats are used over the three tournament days.

On Friday and Saturday, four Foursome matches are played each day. In Foursomes, the same ball is played alternately by a two-player team until it is holed. Ryder Cup Foursomes feature two Europeans against two Americans in a flight of four. If a team takes fewer strokes to complete a hole than their opponents, they go “1 up.” If a team leads by more points than holes remaining, the match is finished, and the winning team earns a point. If both teams have won the same number of holes, the match is halved, and each team gets half a point.

Additionally, on Friday and Saturday, four Fourball matches are played. In Fourballs, two European golfers compete against two American golfers in a flight of four. However, unlike in Foursomes, all four players play their own balls, and only the best score per team on each hole is counted. The same match-play rules apply. The choice between starting with Foursomes or Fourballs on each day is determined by the hosting team.

To conclude the Ryder Cup, on Sunday, the 28 matches are completed with twelve Singles (individual matches). The team captains determine in what order players will compete in the Singles matches, as well as the pairings for Foursomes and Fourballs. Before the match pairings are announced, the captains do not know who their players will be facing.

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Scoring in the Ryder Cup

For each win in a match, the winning team earns one point that contributes to the overall team score. In the case of a tie, each Ryder Cup match is awarded half a point. A team needs 14.5 points to win. If the Ryder Cup ends in a tie, the defending champion retains the title. This year, this would mean victory for Team USA.

One unique aspect of scoring in the Ryder Cup is the concept of “dormie.” Dormie occurs when a player or team is leading with the same number of points as there are holes left to play. In this situation, the trailing team can only level the match and tie it but cannot win it.

One of the most memorable Ryder Cup moments in recent history was the 2012 edition, which showcased how thrilling and close the contest between Team USA and Team Europe can be. Team Europe secured a dramatic victory with a stunning putt by Martin Kaymer, winning 14.5 to 13.5 points after an incredible comeback.

So, as golf fans eagerly await the Ryder Cup 2023 at Marco Simone GCC in Rome, Italy, they can look forward to witnessing the intensity and excitement of this prestigious event, where the finest golfers from the United States and Europe battle it out for pride and honor.

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Solheim Cup 2023: Suzann Pettersen “We’re not there yet”

Suzann Pettersen at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Suzann Pettersen at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Suzann Pettersen praises the comeback of her European equip at the 2023 Solheim Cup but also stays cautious. “There’s still 12 points up for grabs”, she knows. Still she is blow away by the level of golf only a Solheim Cup produces.

Suzann Pettersen after Suaturdays Fourballs

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Solheim Cup 2023: Team Europe shines in spain and catches up

Day 2 of the 2023 Solheim Cup thrills Team Europe fans. Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant lay the foundation for the title defense. (Photo: Getty)

The Solheim Cup 2023 continues with a sensation from Team Europe. Linn Grant und Carlota Ciganda pave the way for a comeback on saturday in Spain. Now only the Singles are left.

Solheim Cup 2023: Charley und Leonia start the catch-up on the fourballs

Charley Hull/Leona Maguire (EUR) def. Nelly Korda/Ally Ewing (USA), 4 and 3

After tying the first hole, Charley Hull and Leona Maguire took the 1-up advantage at No. 2 and held that lead for the rest of the match, gradually increasing it to 4 up as the match went on. Ally Ewing and Nelly Korda did not go down without a good fight, trying as hard as they could to even the match, and even closing the European gap slightly down to 3 up for a few holes. Ultimately, they  could not close it any further. Coming down to a long Ewing putt to prolong the match, the American barely missed and opened the door for Hull to win with two-putts. The Englishwoman slammed it shut on the Americans, earning her 12th career Solheim Cup match win.

“Yeah, I like it, because we’re both not really like hyper, how do I explain it, hype-to-the-crowd people, we just kind of go along with our business, not too massive fist pumps and stuff,” Hull said about why her and Maguire are such good partners. “We make a birdie, yup; we make a bogey, yup, move on to the next hole and forget about it and I feel like we both do that quite well.”

Cheyenne Knight/Angel Yin (USA) def. Anna Nordqvist/Caroline Hedwall (EUR), 2-up

Europe struck first during match 14 thanks largely to a well-rested and fired up Caroline Hedwall, making her first appearance at the 2023 Solheim Cup. The Swede made birdie off the bat, setting up what could be another European victory. Angel Yin tied it up with a birdie on 3, but the Euros went 1-up, then 2-up on Nos. 5 and 8, thanks again to Hedwall. Cheyenne Knight did her best on No. 7 to dwindle the European lead with from 80 feet out, but Hedwall matched it with a long birdie putt. With the momentum definitely favoring Team Europe, things began to change after the turn. On No. 11, Yin brought the match back within one with a monster drive and long birdie putt. Knight tied things up with a close approach on 12, then Yin sank another long one on 12 to take the lead in just three holes. The Americans held onto that lead with all they could for the next four holes, walking onto 18 still 1-up. On the final par-5, Yin hit another long drive and got it onto the green in two, almost assuring an American victory after it took both Hedwall and Nordqvist three shots to get on. Yin’s eagle putt missed just right of the hole and rolled just three feet past, good enough to earn the Americans their only point of the afternoon after the Swedes each missed long birdie putts.

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“It was so difficult because they were playing great. Hedwall was, like, giving us no opportunities. Then as soon as Hedwall, like — let’s just say she makes a little bit of a mistake, not even a big mistake, Anna is right next to the pin, and so it never really created any room for error,” Yin said of the match. “I think on each side we only had one bogey. We had one bogey, they had one bogey. So that just tells you how good of golf we’re playing. We only had to make birdie to win the hole and the pars didn’t even do anything. So, I mean, it’s just tough.”

Madelene Sagstrom/Emily Pedersen (EUR) def. Rose Zhang/Andrea Lee (USA), 2 and 1

The United States took the early lead after Rose Zhang drove the green on the opening par 4 and sinking the eagle putt to take the early momentum. The lead stood for just another hole until Europe took the lead on 4. Madelena Sagstrom and Emily Pedersen would hold that lead for 13 of the final 14 holes. Not going down easy, the Americans tried to bring the match back down to a tie with a clutch Zhang birdie putt on 9 but Pedersen matched it with a birdie putt of her own to keep the European edge. The dagger for the Americans came on No. 14 when Pedersen sunk a birdie putt from off the green to take the 2-up lead the rest of the way.

“I think everyone got frustrated with yesterday morning. Nobody wanted that outcome. But at the same time, we all knew that good golf was in us and we fought back really good yesterday afternoon, and I think this morning was also a good fight back,” said Sagstrom of earning closing the points gap between the U.S. and Europe after their 0-4 fourball loss Friday morning. “I think we were happy with a 2-2 this morning and now coming out, I mean, our goal is always to grind our match out and we did a good job from the start.”

Solheim Cup 2023: Ciganda and Grant lead Team Europe

Carlota Ciganda/Linn Grant def. Danielle Kang/Lilia Vu (USA), 2 and 1

Carlota Ciganda won her 10th career Solheim Cup match on home soil alongside partner Linn Grant, defeating Lilia Vu and Danielle Kang 2&1. It was a tied match through five holes, thanks to a barrage of birdies from each team, before the Spainard put the Euros 1-up on No. 6. Kang tied it up again with a solid birdie on the par-3 10th, but Grant and Ciganda quickly fired back with a birdie each on 11 and 12, respectively. On 13, Vu stuck her approach shot 18 inches from the cup, closing the gap to 1-up again, advantage Europeans. On 16, in front of the largest crowd on the course, Ciganda drained a solid birdie that produced a roar heard across the grounds of Finca Cortesin. The match was dormie heading onto 17, but the Americans had a good look to force one more hole and potentially tie the match. However, Kang’s putt missed just right on 17, giving the Europeans their final point of the day and bringing the overall score to 8-8 with just singles matches still to play.

“Yesterday and today, but certainly today in the afternoon I knew we were doing good, because I could hear the people cheering pretty loud. So amazing feeling. I just can’t believe we’re playing here in Spain and so happy to be a part of this amazing team,” said Ciganda. “Very happy to play with Linn. She’s such a great player. Just, yeah, very comfortable, very confident. I can’t wait until tomorrow.”

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Solheim Cup 2023: Pedersen and Sagstrom put Crucial Point on the Board

Emily Pedersen and Madelene Sagstrom at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Emily Pedersen and Madelene Sagstrom at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Emily Pedersen and Madelene Sagstrom kept the much-needed momentum of Team Europe’s 2023 Solheim Cup campaign on Saturday afternoon going, putting a crucial point on the board. Both players reflected on the day, indicating their satisfaction with their play and the newfound energy in the European team.

Emily Pedersen: “We backed each other up”

Pedersen emphasized the enjoyment she experienced playing alongside Sagstrom, saying, “It was a lot of fun. We backed each other up, playing pretty solid golf all the way around.” A 10-under result highlighted the duo’s superior gameplay, with each complementing the other perfectly, especially when one faced difficulties.

The team’s unity was pivotal following a frustrating start, with Sagstrom stating, “We all knew that good golf was in us.” The team collectively managed to reset their mindset after an initially disappointing performance on Friday morning, and the subsequent sessions have seen a more resolute and coherent European team. Pedersen echoed this sentiment, feeling proud of the team for “picking ourselves up” and maintaining a positive mindset.

Solheim Cup 2023: Team Europe turned the tide

The duo credits the team’s mental toughness for turning the tide after the initial setbacks. Pedersen had a personal moment of resolve after hitting a remarkable 3-wood on the 11th, committing to a more decisive and aggressive approach. This unwavering belief in their abilities and the motivational push from their captain, Suzann, played a crucial role in the team’s reinvigorated performance.

Madelene Sagstrom: “The past is in the past”

Sagstrom highlighted the importance of focusing on the present and learning from past mistakes, saying, “the past is in the past. All we can focus on is what we’re doing this afternoon and today.” Both players agreed on staying present and not tracking the scoreboards, focusing primarily on their matches and maintaining a constant aggressive approach.

Both players harmonized well in their strategies and club selections, offering mutual support and complementing each other’s playstyles. Sagstrom remarked, “Emily and I play extremely similar. It was a different feeling for me today. It was great.” The mutual understanding and alignment in strategies marked a different yet fruitful experience for both players.

Their meticulous preparation, unyielding spirit, synergy, and focus on the present moment propelled them to deliver a pivotal point for Team Europe, setting the stage for an intriguing finale at the Solheim Cup.

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(This article was created with the help of AI)

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Solheim Cup 2023 – Leona Maguire: “Mission accomplished”

Charley Hull and Leona Maguire at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Charley Hull and Leona Maguire at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)

In a compelling show of skill and partnership, Team Europe’s Leona Maguire and Charley Hull dominated Saturday afternoon, leaving no room for the Americans to claw back, reinforcing Europe’s presence on the 2023 Solheim Cup leaderboard.

Solheim Cup 2023: Interview with Leona Maguire and Charley Hull

Leona Maguire showcased great reverence and respect for opponents Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing, acknowledging their prowess from previous encounters. “We knew we had to bring our A games this afternoon. So, just played really solid and didn’t really give them a chance to fight back at all,” reflected Maguire on the scintillating performance she delivered alongside Hull.

Charley Hull echoed her partner’s sentiments, citing the harmonious synergy and the composed demeanor they both share as crucial elements in their match play. “I’m not really a player that gets the crowds going like this or big fist pumps, neither is Leona, and we kind of just jell and do our own thing and we work well together,” said Hull, pleased with putting more blue on the board.

The mutual admiration between the pair was evident, with Hull labeling playing alongside Maguire as an “honor” and applauding her “unbelievable” play. Maguire reciprocated, expressing her anticipation for this pairing, “I think this was a pairing, me and Charley, I’ve been looking forward to for awhile.”

Despite a slightly rough morning, Maguire managed to recalibrate, reinforcing her determination and focus for the afternoon session. Maguire and Hull’s refreshing chemistry and alignment in approach were critical in maintaining control, and their performance was a testament to their resilient spirit and unwavering fight.

Leona Maguire: “Mission accomplished”

The match’s strategic significance was not lost on them. “Suzann was pretty clear of what our job was today, so mission accomplished so far, and we’ll go cheer on the rest of the girls and hopefully they can bring it home,” Maguire stated, underscoring the influence their match could have on the subsequent groups.

Team Europe’s Captain, Suzann Pettersen, had evidently set clear expectations for the duo—attaining a point was paramount. The succinct directive resonated with Maguire, “Come out, get your point, simple as,” was the order of the day, one that they successfully fulfilled, subduing the Americans from the get-go.

Charley Hull, despite struggling with a neck sprain, dubbed a “facet sprain,” displayed remarkable resilience, adapting her swing and continuing to display high levels of energy and gameplay. Her exemplary courage, coupled with Maguire’s relentless pursuit of excellence, fortified Team Europe’s standing.

As Team Europe extends its grasp on the Solheim Cup, the camaraderie and relentless spirit showcased by Leona Maguire and Charley Hull have not only fortified the morale within their ranks but have also painted the leaderboard with more shades of blue, promising an exciting showdown as the tournament progresses.

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(This article was written with the help of AI)

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Ryder Cup 2023: Nicolai Hojgaard – A Twin alone in Rome

Nicolai Hojgaard will be one of the rookies at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Nicolai Hojgaard will be one of the rookies at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

The man from Denmark was only born in 2001 and at 22 will be the youngest player at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. Nicolai Hojgaard played his way back into Ryder Cup consideration in the last minute and was nominated as one of Luke Donald’s ‘Captain’s Picks’ in the end. The Dane has two wins on the DP World Tour to show for his career. His twin brother Rasmus Hojgaard is also a professional golfer and has already celebrated success. Both set themselves the goal of going to the Ryder Cup together, but only one of them has made it. But an event from last year on the DP World Tour makes the two inseparable despite Rasmus not being nominated.

Nicolai Hojgaard at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Nicolai Hojgaard was only 25th in the Ryder Cup rankings before the final announcement of Team Europe. He collected 942 points in the rankings by the beginning of September, while Yannik Paul, who missed the qualification in the end, had a whole 1731 points. But this ranking was only secondary in Hojgaard’s nomination, because the Dane played his way onto Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald’s note with the performance in the last decisive tournaments.

Before that, the Dane played a season with ups and downs on the DP World and PGA Tour. Placements in the top ten were often followed by missed cuts. From the beginning of June to the end of July, he had to say goodbye after the cut in three of four tournaments. Then a strong shared sixth place at the Scottish Open 2023 and a shared 23rd place at The Open 2023, his best performance to date at a major after T50 at the PGA Championship this year, came as a surprise. But Hojgaard’s biggest exclamation mark this year came at the end of August when he finished third at the D+D Real Czech Masters and followed that up with a strong shared fifth place at the Omega European Masters a week later.

The European captain obviously wants to benefit from this form at the 2023 Ryder Cup in the Italian capital: “He’s a young superstar. The world is at his feet when it comes to golf. We are seeing the beginning of what he has already achieved at such a young age. With Nicolai, it was important for me to have six players in good form and what he’s done in the last two weeks has been very special.” When the Danish golfer found out about his good fortune, he could hardly believe it. The call from Luke Donald was an emotional one for the young Dane: “To be honest, I was hoping for it, but after today it was a bit mixed. I can’t describe how this call feels!”

Nicolai Hojgaard as a Rookie to the Ryder Cup 2023

Although Nicolai Hojgaard has no experience of the Ryder Cup so far, the Northern European can look back on other comparable competitions. At the Hero Cup earlier this year, the continental Europeans faced off against the team from Great Britain and Ireland. Because his brother Rasmus was injured, Nicolai stepped in and was promptly convincing. In the duel with Seamus Power he won his singles match and contributed 2.5 points to the victory of the continental Europeans in Abu Dhabi.

Together with brother Rasmus Nicolai Hojgaard won the Eisenhower Trophy in Ireland in 2018. The pair, along with John Axelsen, took the title to Denmark at the World Amateur Team Championship with a one-stroke lead over the USA, who fielded Colin Morikawa among others. In the same year, the pair were to be less fortunate, losing the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup to the Americans.

The career of Nicolai Hojgaard so far

Nicolai Hojgaard’s success story is directly linked to his twin brother Rasmus. The two brothers share a record that is unlikely to be broken in the near future. In September 2021, Rasmus Hojgaard first won the Omega Masters in Switzerland, only for Nicolai to match him a week later and win the Italian Open with a birdie on the last hole and a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood and Adrian Meronk. It had never happened before that two brothers won in a row on the European Tour. For the Ryder Cup rookie, it was his first title on the DP World Tour at the time, before he celebrated his next success five months later in February 2022 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship with 24 strokes under par.

The youngster, who is still at the beginning of his career, could bring in about four million US dollars so far and seems to be one of the European players for the future. Therefore, it should also be a nomination with a view to upcoming editions of the Ryder Cup. But now the next challenge in the Dane’s young career awaits at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Can Hojgaard catch fire again, as he did in Abu Dhabi, and help his team to victory in Rome?

A look inside Nicolai Hojgaard’s bag for the 2023 Ryder Cup

Since this year, both Nicolai and his brother Rasmus Hojgaard are under contract with Callaway. Like his colleague and team member Jon Rahm, Nicolai tees up with the Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond Driver. When it comes to the woods, he then relies on the Rogue ST Max model with 16.5 degrees of loft, slightly more than the 14 to 15 degrees that are usual on the Tour. As a transition to the irons, Hojgaard, like many of his Tour colleagues, chooses a utility iron, more precisely the Callaway X21.
He completes his long game with the 2021 Apex MB (Muscle Back) irons. He takes the Players irons of the well-known Apex series from the 4-iron to the pitching wedge into his golf bag.

Nicolai Højgaard’s wedges ??❤️#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/WNRQQxYbEG — Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 12, 2023

In keeping with the Ryder Cup, the Dane had a special version of the Callaway Jaws wedges forged. The three wedges bear various allusions to Team Europe and, of course, the venue of the Ryder Cup in Rome. With 50 degrees, 56 degrees and 60 degrees, Hojgaard covers the entire width of the “usual” wedges and additionally leaves many possibilities of use around the green open with different sole grinds.
The Odyssey Toulon putter makes it into his bag with the Chicago Blade design and, together with the Callaway Chrome Soft X, completes the Ryder Cup rookie’s equipment choice.