2023 Solheim Cup Archives

Team USA at the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain

When taking a look at Team USA for the Solheim Cup 2023, one thing stands out immediately: Compared to Team Europe, the U.S. team is significantly younger and less experienced. An average age of 29 years and a total of 31 participations in the Solheim Cup by the Europeans contrasts with an average age of 25 years and a total of only 17 participations by Team USA. In addition, Stacy Lewis (38) is the youngest US captain ever. This makes the participation of an experienced player like Lexi Thompson, who plays a leadership role in the inexperienced team, all the more important.

There are five rookies competing for Team USA in this year’s Solheim Cup, Lilia Vu, Rose Zhang, Allisen Corpuz, Andrea Lee and Cheyenne Knight. But Vu and Zhang in particular have their work cut out for them: while Lilia Vu is ranked second in the Rolex Rankings after winning two majors, Rose Zhang qualified for the Solheim Cup just a few months after starting her professional career at the age of 20.

2023 Solheim Cup: Revenge thanks to statistical data?

The young rookies are joined by Team USA’s three most experienced golfers in Lexi Thompson (28), Danielle Kang (30) and Ally Ewing (30). Jennifer Kupcho, Megan Khang, Angel Yin and Nelly Korda – number three in the Rolex Rankings – complete the team. The deciding factor for potential success will certainly be which players captain Stacy Lewis pairs for the tournament. “As we get closer to the event, we’re starting to look into pairings, ’cause the data can, based on the course, simulate who’ll play well together,” Lewis said in an interview with Golf.com.

Statistical data in general plays a big role in the captain’s tournament preparation for the 2023 Solheim Cup, as she revealed in the interview, “When I was announced as captain, I started doing research and reading, including [Shane Ryan’s] book about the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. It talked a lot about analytics – what the guys do, the two different [analytics firms] the teams used.”

“Quirkly” golf course in beautiful Spain

The captain has an unusual opinion about the venue, the Finca Cortesin golf course in Andalusia: “Finca is beautiful. The resort is awesome. Five stars. So it’s gonna be great for players to stay on-site. The golf course itself is a little quirky. It’s got some funny holes, and you’re on the side of a mountain, so it’s hilly. It’s gonna be a tough walk for the players.” The question is whether the young star power around Lexi Thompson will be enough for Team USA to win the Solheim Cup on this course, or will the lack of experience prove to be a stumbling block?

The countdown to the 2023 Solheim Cup at the Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Andalusia, Spain, is on and preparations are in full swing. As far as Team Europe around captain Suzann Pettersen is concerned, there is at least already planning certainty. The mission to defend the title after the victories in 2019 and 2021 is apparently no longer in the way. A positive side note: Five of the seven European victories were celebrated on home soil.

Team Europe at the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain

Team Europe has a versatile lineup for its third consecutive Solheim Cup victory. For eight of the twelve golfers, the 2023 Solheim Cup will be at least their third participation in the prestigious tournament. In addition to the experienced Anna Nordqvist, who has won the tournament four times in seven appearances, Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda will be competing for Team Europe for the sixth time. Ciganda is the only Spaniard taking part in the tournament in Andalusia and thus has a special home match ahead of her.

The fact that the Solheim Cup is getting closer can also be felt by captain Suzann Pettersen: “I can definitely feel it’s getting closer because I’m having nightmares about it,” she jokes. “My head’s spinning at night. It’s been at a bit of an arm’s length distance until now but, yeah, with the clock ticking and the team starting to shape up, there are obviously a lot of challenges I have to rise to and questions I have to answer. They’re good problems to have but I’m starting to feel it, which is nice.”

Three debutants and a Swedish block at the 2023 Solheim Cup

As many as five players of the European team for the Solheim Cup 2023 come from Sweden, including the two debutants Maja Stark and Linn Grant. The experienced Anna Nordqvist and the two captain’s picks Madelene Sagström and Caroline Hedwall make up the rest of the Swedish block. Nordqvist, as the playing vice-captain, is also the oldest and most experienced player for Team Europe and certainly takes a leadership role for the young debutants.

Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh completes the trio of debutants as a Captain’s Pick. Also joining Team Europe as a fourth Captain’s Pick is Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen, whose performance will again play a major role for the European team after her decisive putt at the 2021 Solheim Cup.

Team Europe: Versatile to success?

For captain Suzann Pettersen, the goal with her captain picks was to create as versatile a Team Europe as possible around the eight qualified golfers. In addition to the vast experience of Nordqvist, Ciganda and Hull and rookies Grant and Stark, the addition of Céline Boutier, Georgia Hall and rookie record holder Leona Maguire already resulted in a balanced team. Maintaining the balance was accordingly the focus.

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Ciganda ??
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— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) August 22, 2023

Pettersen on her captain picks: “I’m very pleased with my team! Madelene [Sagström] was an obvious choice; she was right there in the pack with the rest of the eight qualifiers, has experience and is a great team player. It’s been great following Gemma [Dryburgh] and her performances over the past year, she has a very consistent game, is a great putter and has a great personality. Emily [Kristine Pedersen] is a fierce competitor especially in match play, she has the experience and I know what I’m going to get from her. I can’t think of a more competitive player than Caroline [Hedwall]. I’m very happy to have her on our team. She compliments the team perfectly with her game and records in the Solheim Cup.”