Category: Ladies Tours

Categories
Ladies Tours

US Masters: Annika Sorenstam joins Augusta National

Annika Sörenstram becomes a member of Augusta National the venue of the US Masters. (Source: Getty)
Annika Sörenstram becomes a member of Augusta National the venue of the US Masters. (Source: Getty)

Augusta National Golf Club was founded in 1932 as a men-only club and has hosted the prestigious US Masters tournament since 1934. Augusta National is considered one of the most elite clubs in the world with only about 300 members. Among them are personalities from the world’s wealthiest and most powerful businessmen. Women have only been admitted as members since 2012.

Annika Sorenstam becomes first female professional player to join US Masters venue

Multiple sources reported this week that Annika Sorenstam, a 72-time winner on the LPGA Tour, has been accepted as a member at Augusta National Golf Club. However, a spokesman for Augusta National Golf Club declined to comment, and Mike McGee, Sorenstam’s husband and manager, also declined to comment. Membership in Augusta National Golf Club has traditionally been considered a private matter, and the club has always sought to keep its membership list private.

Twenty years ago, women’s activist Martha Burk of the National Council of Women’s Organizations protested the lack of women members at Augusta National. Nearly a decade passed before Augusta National’s then-chairman Billy Payne added former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore to the club in 2012. Other confirmed female members at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia include Heidi Ueberroth, co-chairwoman of Pebble Beach Co; former USGA President Diana Murphy; former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty; and Ana Botin, executive chairwoman of Santander Group. Golf legend Annika Sorenstam is now the first professional player to be inducted as a member of the country’s most prestigious golf club. Sorenstam has been a trailblazer for women’s golf. She has collected a total of 10 Major titles during her unique career. In 2008, she became the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour event since 1945 when she competed in the tournament then known as the Bank of America Colonial. When Augusta National Golf Club introduced the Augusta Women’s National Amateur in 2019, Sorenstam was one of the first starters.

“I wish we had done it sooner”

A decade after the first female members were admitted, Fred Ridley, the current club chairman, reflected on that decision during his pre-tournament press conference at the Masters. “I don’t know about you, but when anything happens or any idea that you had turns out well and you’re pleased about it, initiative, whatever, you might always say, well, why didn’t we do that sooner?  And that’s a fair, that’s a fair thought. And so I wish – I wish we had have,” he said.

He added: “Women members are a very important part of our membership, and you will continue to see over the years, if you look, more green jackets that are women. I’m going to make sure of that.

“We have a number of women members who we are delighted are part of our organization. I think you know, certainly, who some of them are. They have been great contributors to our organization, both I would say substantively and things they are doing to help us, both with the Masters and otherwise.”

Categories
Ladies Tours

Pettersen’s Dream: Europe Retains Solheim Cup in 14:14 Draw

Suzann Pettersen celebrates the third consecutive victory with Team Europe at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Credit: Getty)
Suzann Pettersen celebrates the third consecutive victory with Team Europe at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Credit: Getty)

The Solheim Cup 2023 at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Andalusia, Spain, has concluded with Team Europe retaining the trophy, marking their eighth win in the history of the competition, with the USA holding ten victories. The intense competition ended in a thrilling 14:14 tie, with Team Europe triumphing as the reigning champions.

The renowned Solheim Cup represents one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s golf, pitting the finest players from Europe against their counterparts from the United States. This year’s event was enveloped in drama and heightened emotions, with both teams displaying unparalleled skill and tenacity throughout the competition.

Solheim Cup 2023 “A Dream Come True”

Suzann Pettersen, the winning captain for Team Europe, expressed her elation at her team’s triumph, describing it as “a dream come true.” “Does it get any better than this?” she pondered, enveloped in the euphoria of victory. “We had a massive challenge ahead of us today. We’ve created history yet again in the Solheim Cup, and these girls are legends.”

Pettersen remarked on the rocky start and the character her team exhibited, highlighting the significant role of resilience and character in their victory. “You get knocked down, you stand back up… It really shows the character of this team sitting here,” she noted. Giving due credit, she pointed out the pivotal role of Caroline Hedwall in turning around the match, teeing it up nicely for Carlota Ciganda to secure crucial points on holes 16 and 17.

Reflecting on her journey as captain, she acknowledged the preparation leading up to the event and how fate might have played its part in the initial challenges faced by her team. Speaking on her experience, she stated, “Well, it’s been a lot of preparation leading up to this… We’ve all been on a pretty much high road for a few years now… I believe in fate, so maybe that was meant to happen.”

When asked about the closing minutes of the game, Pettersen depicted a roller coaster of emotions and momentum shifts, comparing her role as a captain to the helplessness felt by a spectator cheering from the sidelines. “You feel so helpless sitting there on the sideline trying to cheer them on as they one go by after another… They’re basically out there on their own,” she said. She elaborated on the tense moments, revealing her initial belief that they were half a point short until confirmation of their victory came.

This cup has been a testament to the fortitude and spirit of Team Europe, underlining their ability to rise to the occasion and showcase their formidable golfing skills. As the players and fans rejoice in this hard-fought victory, the anticipation builds for the 2024 Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.

Pettersen’s leadership, coupled with the unyielding determination of her team, has etched another glorious chapter in the annals of the Solheim Cup, immortalizing the resilience, grit, and unmatched passion of Team Europe in the face of immense pressure and competition. As we look forward to future clashes and historic moments, the legacy of Team Europe in the Solheim Cup 2023 will be remembered as a beacon of collective strength and individual brilliance in the world of golf

Categories
Ladies Tours

Stacy Lewis Reflects on Solheim Cup 2023: A Passionate Battle and a Promising Future

Stacy Lewis looks ahead after the loss of Team USA at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Credit: Getty)
Stacy Lewis looks ahead after the loss of Team USA at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Credit: Getty)

The Solheim Cup 2023 came to a historic draw at 14:14, a tremendous feat of tenacity and resilience from both Team Europe and Team USA at the Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Andalusia, Spain. However, it was Team Europe that emerged victorious, retaining the title due to their status as defending champions.

Stacy Lewis, the captain of Team USA, radiated a sense of pride and fulfillment in the post-match interviews. The final moments of the match were crucial for women’s golf and resonated with undeniable excitement, particularly for Carlota of Team Europe. “Just what a moment for Carlota and women’s golf,” said Lewis. Her team, she reflected, played with incomparable heart and persistence. “My team played their hearts out. Just so proud of ’em, the way they fought,” Lewis remarked.

Stacy Lewis Makes Her Entire Solheim Cup Team Cry

Throughout the week, Team USA showcased a relentless spirit, particularly on the back nine, which they played better all week, according to Lewis. Lewis was keen to emphasize that the tie wasn’t a loss and that there was substantial growth and learning throughout the week, particularly for the rookies. “It was a tie and there was so much to build off this week,” she stressed. The reflection sessions were emotional, with Lewis making her team cry as she conveyed her pride and encouraged them to hold their heads high for representing their country commendably and being classy opponents.

The determined grind of players like Megan Khang, Danielle Kang, and Lilia Vu was acknowledged, their patience and fight being pivotal in the critical phases of the game. “They just kept fighting and kept fighting, and they literally did everything I could have asked of them this week,” noted Lewis.

A positive outlook for the future was palpable in Lewis’s remarks, with a focus on the invaluable experience gained by the younger, less experienced players. This experience is expected to be instrumental in the upcoming matches. “This week was really, really good for them,” said Lewis about the younger players. She emphasized that the process and progress meant more than the results, describing the overall experience as a win considering where the team started from.

Despite the shifting tides in playing foursomes and four-balls, Lewis seemed content with the pairings and wouldn’t consider doing much differently. A hopeful undertone enveloped her reflections, highlighting the strong spirits and evolving dynamics of the team.

For Lewis and her team, the week in general feels like a win, marking significant progress from their starting point. The emotional response of the team symbolized the substantial meaning and attachment they had to this journey, fulfilling Lewis’s objective of instilling passion and commitment within her team. This Solheim Cup epitomized not just the competitive spirit but also the deep emotional connection and the boundless potential for the future of women’s golf.

Categories
Ladies Tours

Team Europe Wins Third Consecutive Solheim Cup Title

Team Europe wins the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Credit: Getty)
Team Europe wins the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Credit: Getty)

Team Europe wins the Solheim Cup 2023. On a highly exciting final Sunday, Carlota Ciganda, of all people, holed the decisive point at the first Solheim Cup in her home country. The Spaniard was subsequently carried on her hands by her teammates.

Team Europe wins the Solheim Cup 2023

The singles at the 2023 Solheim Cup could hardly have been more exciting. Almost all duels were close, alternately the teams secured the points in the beginning, before matches 5 and 6 were split. But even after that, neither the USA nor Europe could pull away and the following four matches went half to half to both teams. So the score was 13:13 with two matches still open. One of them was played by Carlota Ciganda, the only Spaniard in the team at her home match.

And it was she who took the decisive point. In the duel with Nelly Korda, which she had already led by 3 after eight holes, the tide seemed to turn on the back nine. The American picked up three holes and it went all square on the 16th. Here Ciganda, who kept firing up the fans in between, showed her nerves. She regained the lead with a birdie and one hole later attacked the flag of the par-3 with a precise tee shot. Korda missed the green on the left and the Spaniard had no trouble with a short putt to get the 14 point for her team.

With Europe competing as defending champions, the eventual tie was enough for a third straight victory. The outcome of the last match did not matter. Already next year the next Solheim Cup will be played. Then the tournament, which is played regularly every two years, will take place at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville (Virginia), USA.

Sunday’s Singles in Detail

Europe vs USA
14 14

17 – Megan Khang (USA) def. Linn Grant (EUR), 1-up

Megan Khang grabbed the early lead with an opening birdie on No. 1 and she did not lose that lead once in 18 holes of play. Linn Grant, who played all five matches in her Solheim Cup debut, tried to cut into the lead on several occasions but Khang answered each time. The best Grant was able to do was bring the score down from 2-up to 1-up on holes 7, 12 and, finally, on 16. The match went dormie when both made par on 17, but Khang was able to close it out with a par putt to tie the match and earn the U.S. their second point of the day.

“Super proud,” Khang said about how she feels she’s performed this weekend. “When the draw came out and I had Linn first off, you know Linn was going to bring it, and I knew I had to do the exact same and hopefully come out on top. I took it all the way to 18 and she definitely made me work for it.”

18 – Leona Maguire (EUR) def. Rose Zhang (USA), 4 and 3

Rose Zhang struck first, carding her first birdie of the day on the opening hole. But Leona Maguire, the hero of the 2021 Solheim Cup, quickly answered with birdies on two and three to take control of the match. The two went back and forth until No. 7., when Maguire took the lead again and only expanded on it from there. She went 2 up, 3 up, then 4 up on holes 12, 13 and 14 before the match ended on 15 when the two halved that hole. Maguire’s quick victory was the first point of the day for Team Europe and overall.

“Suzann handed me a job this morning,” Maguire said. “I knew it was going to be tough. It was going to be a very tough opponent. It was important to get blue on the board early and it’s great.”

19 – Danielle Kang (USA) def. Charley Hull (EUR), 4 and 2

After the third group teed off, Danielle Kang became the third American to take a 1-up lead after the first hole. She held it for the next two holes before Charley Hull tied the match with a birdie on No. 4. Another seemingly deadlocked match, Kang caught fire after going 1-up on hole 6. She got to 3-up on No. 12 and made it 4-up with a birdie on 16, earning her the 4 and 2 victory and the first point of the day for the United States

“It means a lot, honestly,” Kang said about how much it means to earn a point for the United States. “We had great leadership this week and Stacy just told me to keep trusting my game. And you can’t reach any of the par-5s or the par-4s, but she says, You’re one of the best wedges, so that’s what I did, stayed focused, played my game, and she wanted me out early to put a point up there, so I’m glad that I did my job.”

20 – Anna Nordqvist def. Jennifer Kupcho (USA), 2 and 1

It took five holes before the stalemate between Jennifer Kupcho and Anna Nordqvist was broken. On 5, playing assistant captain Nordqvist carded her first birdie to give the Swede the lead over Kupcho. From there, Nordqvist took the next two holes building a 3-up lead over the American, but she would not go down easily. Kupcho brought the match down to 1-up with a birdie on 14 and the two kept battling, tying the next hole before the vice-captain took a 2-up lead on 16 with a birdie of her own. Dormie heading onto 17, the match ended there with a par from each player. Nordqvist’s win became the second point of the day for Europe.

“Suzann had trust in me and she put me out pretty early, so obviously it was a huge honor,” Nordqvist said. “I’ve been playing well this week. I played really well yesterday. I just couldn’t get anything going, couldn’t make any putts. It was a pretty hard golf course yesterday, but I had a lot of friends and family and team supporting me and pulling me through. It’s been a really hard year for me, and I just put every last bit of heart I had left in me to go out there today. It’s blowing really hard and I hit some amazing golf shots today. It was really hard.”

21 – Andrea Lee (USA) tied. Georgia Hall (EUR)

Georgia Hall struck first, carding a birdie on the opening hole in the final day. She would go on to hold that lead for the next four holes until Andrea Lee made par on No. 6 to tie the match after a bogey from Hall. A birdie from Lee on the very next hole put her at a deficit again, but she made up for it with another par on 8 to tie it again. It would stay tied for the next three holes before Hall went 1-up on 12, then 2 up on 14. Though Hall had opportunities to close the door, Lee fought back and eventually brought the match to a tie on No. 17. The two parred the final hole, halving the match for the United States and Europe.

22 – Cheyenne Knight tied Gemma Dryburgh

After not seeing any action in day two, Gemma Dryburgh came out swinging and carded her first birdie on the par-3 No. 3 to take a one up lead. Her lead grew to 3 up over the next two holes, looking like she would take control and earn Europe another point. Slowly but surely, Cheyenne Knight worked herself back into the mix with birdies on No. 8 to get the score down to 2-up, another on No. 15 to close the gap to 1-up and, finally on 16, she tied the match up. It stayed that way for the last three holes, giving the U.S. and Europe another half a point each.

“Yeah, I was 3-down early on 7 and just, like, things were not going my way and I was getting pretty frustrated and Stacy came and told me on 13, after I hit my approach shot she said, ‘Are you ready to fight today?’ I was like, ‘I am.’ And I won (that hole),” Knight said. “Her giving me kind of a pep talk on 13 was really helpful and I have so much respect for her. It was just so awesome that she’s my captain.”

23 – Angel Yin (USA) def. Celine Boutier (EUR), 2 and 1

Only one of three Europeans to take a lead after the first hole, Celine Boutier took advantage of the early par 4 to go 1-up on Angel Yin. But the American tied it right back up after a bogey by Boutier on 2. Yin followed that up with a birdie on 3 to take her first lead of the day and carried it until No. 11. Boutier made another birdie on 11 to tied it up and then took advantage of a bogey from Yin on No. 12 to retake a short-lived lead. Yin won the next two holes, going 1-up, then lost a point on 15 to bring things back to a tie. A great drive on 16 and a long birdie put gave Yin her final lead of the day, as she followed with another birdie on 17 to win 2 and 1.

“Definitely for me in my favor, but it wasn’t the end game,” Yin said about her eagle on No. 14. “It wasn’t, like, okay, now the match is for Angel. No, it was still up in the air. Holes coming in were difficult, especially since Celine hit that beautiful shot in 15, and I just got caught in the rough, and I was like, shoot. I mean, to me, if I make a par, that was really good.”

24 – Caroline Hedwall (USA) def. Ally Ewing (EUR), 2 up

American Ally Ewing led nearly the entire match, going all the way to 3 up on No. 12 having not been down a hole before then. But Swede Caroline Hedwall, well rested after playing just one match on Friday and Saturday, did not give up, winning holes 13, 14 and 16 to tie the match near the very end. With the momentum and the crowd strongly in her favor, Hedwall won her last two holes with a birdie and an eagle, staging an important come-from-behind victory to earn a whole point for the Euros.

‘I don’t know, to be honest,” answered Hedwall when asked how she turned the match around. “It was something in me. You know, I never give up, and I showed that today. I mean, I’m just so proud of myself and, wow, that was awesome.”

25 – Lilia Vu (USA) def. Madelene Sagstrom (EUR), 4 and 3

One of the more dominating wins of the day, Lilia Vu took her early lead on No. 1 and never looked back. Growing her lead hole by hole, Vu got to 5-up on No. 6 thanks to three birdies and a couple of errors by Madelene Sagstrom. Trying to bring the match back in favor of the Europeans, Sagstrom managed to cut the lead to 3-up with a birdie on No. 8. With the momentum starting to shift, Vu took advantage of a double-bogey from the European on No. 11, effectively sealing the deal for the Americans with a 4 and 3 victory.

“I mean, I’m sad that I wasn’t able to get a point for our team the first three matches that I played in, but I was really happy to kind of drive off of DK’s energy yesterday. Our match against Carlota and Linn, we were 7-under through nine and they were 8-under through nine. It was insane, and I think I just ran off the energy we had yesterday afternoon into today,” Vu said.

26 – Maja Stark (EUR) def. Allisen Corpuz (USA), 2 and 1

The tightest match of the afternoon, it stayed deadlocked for the first six holes until Maja Stark struck first with a birdie on No. 7. Allisen Corpuz could not find an opening from the Swede, trailing 1-up most of the back nine with the score even creeping into 2-up territory on Nos. 13 and 14. Corpuz tried her best and brought the gap back down to 1-up heading into No. 17, but the American faltered on No. 17 allowing Europe to take the 2 and 1 victory.

“Yeah, I totally did. I was looking at the scoreboard the whole day and it wasn’t looking good,” she said when asked if she knew how important her point was. “It was looking very tight though. But I knew that (background noise) I tried to do everything I could to bring it home and I feel like it looks like that’s what we’re doing right now.”

27 –. Carlota Ciganda def. Nelly Korda, 2 and 1

Arguably the most important match of the day, points were all tied up between the U.S. and Europe as the penultimate match was coming to an end. Playing on home soil, Spainard Carlota Ciganda led from the second hole until the 15th, increasing her lead to as high as 3 up on No. 8. American Nelly Korda was able to slowly chip away at Ciganda’s lead on with a birdie on 9, a par on 10 and another par on 15. Heading onto No. 16, the signature hole surrounded by grandstands, Ciganda felt the home field advantage as her theme song was sung throughout the European crowd. Korda stuck her approach shot close, withing 4-feet, but missed her short put before a birdie from the Ciganda sent a roar throughout the course. On 17, it was Cignada’s turn to stick one close and, after Korda found the bunker and nearly chipped in, the Spainard drained her birdie put to earn Europe’s final point of the day and retain the Solheim Cup for the team.

“I don’t have many feelings right now. I’m so happy just to do this for Suzann and for Spain,” Ciganda said following the match. “I’m just so proud. I’m just so happy. Everyone here is a family. The Spanish crowd is just amazing.”

28 – Lexi Thompson def. Emily Pedersen, 2 and 1

Lexi Thompson and Emily Pedersen took the stage anchoring the singles play as two of the best performers at the 2023 Solheim Cup. Pedersen took the early lead going 1-up on the first hole thanks to an early birdie. She grew her lead to 2-up on No. 3 after Thompson bogeyed the par-3 No. 3. Not allowing the European momentum to continue, Thompson rattled off back-to-back birdies to square the match up on No. 6. The tides began to turn and the American grew to a 4-up lead looking poised to end the match early. Pedersen tried as best as she could to bring the score down closing the gap to a 2-up lead for the American heading into the final holes. Back-to-back pars effectively ended the match, giving America their 14th point.

(Match reports by LPGA)

Categories
Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

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

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup
Categories
Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

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.

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup

“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.”

Categories
Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

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.

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup

(This article was created with the help of AI)

Categories
Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2023: Sweden’s Stark & Grant keep Team Europe alive

The morning in Andalusia saw exciting duels at the Solheim Cup 2023! Two Swedes thrill the spectators. (Photo: Getty)

The Solheim Cup 2023 stays vivid. Ahead of the Fourballs Team Europa keeps the hopes alive with a stunning performance by two swedish players. The intermediate 5:7 promises suspense for the rest of the weekend.

Solheim Cup 2023: Ciganda & Pedersen make the start for Europe

In the first match of day two, Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen were fired up from the start, notching the lead with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5 and 6 to go 2-up. Jennifer Kupcho tied the match with her putt at No. 8, after struggling with her putter through the first seven holes. Europe regained the match lead on No. 10 after Ciganda’s birdie putt was short enough for a conceded par to win the hole. With Europe 2-up heading to the 15th tee, the U.S. team attempted a comeback after a clutch birdie putt on No. 15, but it was two no avail, as Ciganda and Pedersen came out on top, 2 and 1, to add another full point to the European total.

“I think it’s important because you don’t want to give too much to the Americans,” Ciganda said about how important it was carrying over the momentum from yesterday’s afternoon matches. “I mean, they are tough to beat. They are really strong and they are really good, so we can do this, but we have to play good golf, and we have to be very present and hopefully that’s enough.”

The European duo of Anna Nordqvist and Leona Maguire led the majority of the front nine in their match with Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang. But the Americans kept things tight, never letting their opponents pull clear by more than two holes. Maguire’s bogey putt at No. 9 pulled the Americans back within one, and another European bogey at No. 10 brought the match back to even. The U.S. Team grabbed its first lead when Thompson put her birdie putt to tap-in range, going 1-up with the conceded par. The back-nine was all Team United States taking the 1-up lead and holding it for six of the last eight holes, securing the win for the Americans.

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup

“I think this week is just purely adrenaline,” Kang said when asked if the crowds help keep her going. “If you feel like you’re tired, you forget about it because the crowd’s right there picking you up. You have your partner looking at you going like, Let’s go. Lexi is literally like, Come on, we can do it. I’m like, I can do it. My little legs can keep up.”

Korda and Corpuz show their skills

The American duo of Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz got off to a hot start on Saturday morning, with Korda winning the first two holes with birdies to build a 2-up lead. They extended the advantage to 3 up when Corpuz dropped a par putt at No. 7 after Celine Boutier drained a long bogey putt, forcing the Americans to win the hole outright. Korda and Corpuz extended the lead to 5 up with a par at No. 13, but Hall won the 14th with a 15-foot birdie putt to stay alive. Two holes later, Korda sealed the 5-and-3 victory with a 25-foot birdie putt, punctuated by a big fist pump.

“I think Nelly is really calm, which is kind of what I need,” Corpuz said about how her and Korda compliment each other. “I play pretty low energy. Obviously she has the experience as well. So just knowing that having someone like her by my side has helped me a lot to get comfortable.”

Solheim Cup 2023: A stunning swedish pair

It was the Swedish twosome of Maja Stark and Linn Grant that would strike first going 1-up on the first hole where it would be held for the first three holes. The Americans, Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee, kept the pressure on the Swedes tying the match up on 4 where it stayed until 8. Grant sunk a clutch birdie putt for a quick one hole lead before the U.S. tied it right back up again. Finding themselves 1-down on 12, Kang sunk a winning putt met with roars from the U.S. fans and praise with Captain Stacy Lewis and Vice Captain Natalie Gubles. Back and forth the match went with Europe taking 1-up leads on 13 and 15 before Stark took the air out of the Americans sails with a go ahead birdie putt on 17. With the Americans looking to force a tie, Grant was not going to let that happen sinking her own birdie putt to clinch the point for Team Europe.

“It’s unbelievable,” Stark said about getting to play on this stage with her good friend Grant. “It’s so much fun, especially getting that confidence growing with Suzann putting us together. I mean, two rookies, that’s got to be a little hard for her to be out in the first group yesterday. I think there were a lot of nerves involved yesterday on the first few holes and then getting to play with her again it’s just amazing and I knew that we could do it. It was just, yeah, letting loose and just doing it.”

Categories
Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2023: Pedersen and Ciganda Rally to Gain Point for Europe

Solheim Cup 2023 Foursomes with Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen. (Photo: Getty)
Solheim Cup 2023 Foursomes with Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen. (Photo: Getty)

In a riveting morning at the Solheim Cup 2023, the United States retains a leading edge with a 7:5 scoreboard. However, the resilient European duo, Emily Kristine Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda, clawed back to secure a crucial point for Europe on Saturday morning.

Solheim Cup 2023: Carlota Ciganda on their Foursome

Playing on home turf, Spanish native, Carlota Ciganda, expressed her elation at being part of the tournament in Spain. “Very happy to play here in Spain. That first tee, I mean, it’s so nice,” Ciganda remarked, likening the ambiance to that of a disco. She shared her contentment at partnering with Emily Pedersen, praising their consistency and the advantageous pairing in terms of playing style. “I want to play with Emily. We hit it pretty similar,” Ciganda stated, underscoring the duo’s synchronicity on the course.

The pair exploited the small mistakes made by their counterparts during the foursomes, capitalizing on opportunities to get ahead. “They made a few mistakes, and we just took advantage, so very happy to get that point for Europe,” Ciganda recounted with fervor.

Solheim Cup 2023: Emily Pedersen praises team’s focus

The fightback from the European side was evident from the preceding afternoon, and Emily Pedersen noted the team’s focus and determination that morning, “We knew what the job is, to go out and get points.” She highlighted the team’s ability to remain present and overcome mistakes, maintaining high spirits throughout the round. “We were really good at staying present… we just kept on fighting, kept the spirits high.”

The momentum shift from the previous day was palpable, with the European duo aiming to mitigate any further advancements by the Americans, who are renowned for their strength and competence in the sport. Ciganda emphasized, “They are tough to beat. They are really strong and they are really good, so we can do this, but we have to play good golf, and we have to be very present.”

The Europeans were determined to start early and secure points ahead of the Americans, a sentiment echoed by Pedersen, “It felt good to go out early… so we can get up and get ahead of the Americans.” The duo manifested relentless vigor, with Ciganda acknowledging that despite the Americans’ steady play and the fast greens that morning, they never let up. “They did make a few putts. The greens are tricky. They were fast this morning, so I think speed was key.”

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup

With her sixth Solheim Cup appearance, Ciganda, bolstered by enthusiastic home support, shared her love for playing in Spain and emphasized her enjoyment of every moment. “I love Spain. This is home for me and it’s just so special to play here with friends, with family.”

In summary, the dynamic European pair of Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda showed resilience and focus to secure an essential point for Europe amidst the charged atmosphere and relentless pressure from the strong American side. The home crowd’s support elevated the experience for Ciganda, making it a memorable round, imbued with determination and national pride. The United States, however, maintains a delicate lead in the Solheim Cup, making the upcoming matches decisive and highly anticipated.

(This article was created with the help of AI)

Categories
Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2023: European point winners Leona Maguire and Georgia Hall

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

Leona Maguire and Georgia Hall made the first point for Team Europe at the Solheim Cup 2023 when they won their fourball match against Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu.

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup