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Highlights Tours

Solheim Cup Captain’s Picks: Team Europe Is Now Complete

Suzann Pettersen named her four captain’s picks for the 2024 Solheim Cup on Sky Sports on Monday. Albane Valenzuela, Anna Nordqvist, Emily Kristine Pedersen and Georgia Hall will complete the 12-strong team. After the picks, it is also clear that the European team has only two changes compared to the 2023 Solheim Cup. Albane Valenzuela and Esther Henseleit are the two rookies in the team for the competition at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Prior to the picks, eight players – including Charley Hull– had already qualified with their performances. Team Europe:

Player Nation Qualification
Albane Valenzuela Switzerland Captain’s Pick
Anna Nordqvist Sweden Captain’s Pick
Carlota Ciganda Spain World Ranking
Celine Boutier France World Ranking
Charley Hull England LET-Ranking
Emily Kristine Pedersen Denmark Captain’s Pick
Esther Henseleit Germany LET-Ranking
Georgia Hall England Captain’s Pick
Leona Maguire Ireland World Ranking
Linn Grant Sweden World Ranking
Madelene Sagström Sweden World Ranking
Maja Stark Sweden World Ranking

Playing vice-captain Anna Nordqvist and fifth consecutive appearance for Georgia Hall

Anna Nordqvist will take on the role of playing vice-captain, as she did in 2023. It will be Nordqvist’s ninth appearance – the most ever by a Swede. Emily Kristine Pedersen from Denmark will be playing a Solheim Cup for the fourth time overall, while it will be Georgia Hall’s fifth in a row.”I love being part of Team Europe, this will be my fifth Solheim Cup and it’s always great to be able to represent Europe,” said Hall.

Solheim Cup 2024

The Solheim Cup 2024 will take place from September 13 to 15, 2024 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, USA. The Europeans are aiming to claim the trophy for the fourth time in a row when they visit the States. The Europeans have won two of the last three editions and retained the Cup with a draw as defending champions in 2023.

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Ladies Tours

Olympics 2024: Charley Hull and Georgia Hall Represent UK

The golf qualification for the Olympics 2024 is complete. After the men’s qualification phase ended last Monday, the women’s participants have now also been decided. While Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick represent the men, Charley Hull and Georgia Hall will compete in the women’s event. A look at the two female participants from the UK.

Olympics 2024: Charley Hull and Georgia Hall form UK’s Olympic Duo

Charley Hull currently travels to Paris in eighth place in the world rankings (Rolex Rankings). After two second places on the Ladies European Tour and consistently good performances, the Englishwoman is currently in good form and can therefore hope for a top ranking at the Olympics 2024. Although the 28-year-old’s last victory was almost two years ago, four top-ten finishes this calendar year and a recent good shared 16th place at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship confirm Hull’s form.

Hull is accompanied by Georgia Hall, who is also 28 years old. She is currently ranked 36th in the world and is currently struggling a little with her form. The Englishwoman has yet to secure a top ten finish this year and her best results were T12 at the Meijer LPGA Classic two weeks ago and the Aramco Ladies International. Georgia Hall celebrated the biggest success of her career in 2018 with a major victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Olympics 2024: Qualification Process and Criteria

The Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) determines qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from August 1-10 at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The top 15 golfers in the OGR automatically qualify, with a maximum of four players per National Olympic Committee (NOC). Beyond the top 15, the highest-ranked players are selected until the 60-player field is complete, ensuring no more than two players per NOC unless they are within the top 15.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is igf.jpg
The qualification criteria for the Olympic Golf Tournament. (Photo: IGF)

Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick have secured their tickets for Paris in the men’s competition.

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Highlights Tours

British Golfers Set for Olympics 2024 as Qualification Period Ends

The Olympic qualification period for the men golfers has ended, with Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick leading the charge for the Paris Olympics.

Fleetwood’s Performance Leading Up to The Olympics 2024

Tommy Fleetwood, ranked 10th in the Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) and 13th in the World Golf Ranking (OWGR), has demonstrated consistent performance over the past few years. His significant achievements include winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2022 and playing a pivotal role in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in 2023. Fleetwood also secured a top-five finish at the 2024 Masters Tournament, solidifying his position as a key contender for the upcoming Olympics.

Fitzpatrick’s Steady Rise

Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked 11th in the OGR and 18th in the OWGR, has also shown remarkable consistency. The 2022 U.S. Open champion has maintained his presence within the top 50 golfers globally for the past seven years. Notable victories for Fitzpatrick include the 2023 RBC Heritage and the 2022 U.S. Open.

Qualification Process and Criteria

The Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) determines qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from August 1-10 at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The top 15 golfers in the OGR automatically qualify, with a maximum of four players per National Olympic Committee (NOC). Beyond the top 15, the highest-ranked players are selected until the 60-player field is complete, ensuring no more than two players per NOC unless they are within the top 15.

The qualification criteria for the Olympic Golf Tournament. (Photo: IGF)

Women’s Qualification Period Nearing End

The qualification period for women golfers will conclude on June 24, 2024, a week after the men’s. Charley Hull and Georgia Hall are the top British hopefuls. Hull, ranked 9th in both the OGR and OWGR, recently won the Volunteers of America Classic, ending a six-year wait for an LPGA Tour title. Hall, ranked 23rd in the OGR and 36st in the OWGR, has also shown impressive form, including a win at the Aramco Team Series in London. Their performances will determine their positions in the final Olympic lists.

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Professionals

Road to the Olympic Games 2024: British Golfers Eye Qualification

The qualification process for the 2024 Olympics is in full swing, and British golfers Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Charley Hull, and Georgia Hall are among the top contenders aiming for a place in Paris.

Men’s Olympics Qualification

Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are leading the British men’s golf contingent. Fleetwood, currently ranked 9th in the Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR) and 11th in the World Golf Rankings (OWGR), has had a successful few years. He won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2022, played a key role in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in 2023, and recently secured a top-five finish at the 2024 Masters Tournament.

Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked 10th in the OGR and 14th in the OWGR, is also a strong contender. Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, has consistently remained within the top 50 golfers worldwide over the past seven years. His notable victories include the 2023 RBC Heritage and the 2022 U.S. Open, showcasing his readiness for Olympic competition.

Women’s Olympic Qualification

On the women’s side, Charley Hull and Georgia Hall are the top British hopefuls. Hull, ranked 7th in both the OGR and OWGR, recently ended a six-year wait for an LPGA Tour title by winning the Volunteers of America Classic in Texas. Her consistent performance, including five top-10 finishes this year, makes her a strong candidate for Olympic success.

Georgia Hall, ranked 23rd in the OGR and 31st in the OWGR, has also shown impressive form. The former Open champion looks forward to competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hall’s recent appearances include a win at the Aramco Team Series in London.

Olympic Qualification Process

The Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) determines the qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place from August 1 -10 on Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The top 15 golfers in the OGR automatically qualify, with a maximum of four players per National Olympic Committee (NOC). Beyond the top 15, the highest-ranked players are selected until the 60-player field is filled, ensuring no more than two players per NOC unless they are within the top 15.

The men’s qualification period ends on June 17, 2024, while the women’s ends on June 24, 2024. The final lists will be published shortly after these dates, confirming the golfers who will compete in Paris.

The qualification criterie for the Olympic Golf Tournament. (Photo: IGF)

With their strong performances and current rankings, Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick, Hull, and Hall are well-positioned to represent Great Britain at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Highlights Tours

Solheim Cup 2023 – Leona Maguire: “Mission accomplished”

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.

(This article was written with the help of AI)

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European Tour Ladies Tours Live LPGA Tour PGA Tour Top Tours

British Weekend Recap: Matt Fitzpatrick and Charley Hull gave it all at the European and LPGA Tour.

PGA Tour: RSM Classic

The RSM Classic took place in Georgia, at the Sea Island Seaside Course. The tournament ended on Sunday, 21st of November 2021. The RSM is part of the PGA Tour in the season 2022. All players competing for a total prize money of 7,2 Mio. US-Dollar.

Justin Rose (T12)

As it was mentioned in the previews, the appearance of European Tour players in the PGA event is less notorious that in the previous tournaments. Justin Rose started off strong, shooting a first round of 5-under par at the RMS Classic.

Rose completed a second day free of bogeys, but two birdies were not enough to climb in the leaderboard as much as he expected. After the third round, Justin Rose fell some positions. However, that did not stop the Englishman to give it all during the last day, when Rose made a comeback with 5-under par to finish T12.

Aaron Rai (T16)

Aaron Rai played four consistent rounds of (68-67-68-68) for a tota of 11-under par, only one stroke behind Justin Rose. Nevertheless, golf is the way it is, and one shot makes a big difference. Rai finished the RMS Classic in a T16 position.

David Skinns (T29)

Our third best golfer from England was David Skinns. Skinns began with a top free-bogey round of 6-under par, and followed up with a good second day of 3-under par. The last two rounds did not come along well and Skinns dropped some positions in the leaderboard. The Englishman finished T29 with a total of -8.

Luke Donald and Callum Tarren did not make the cut last weekend. They have one last opportunity to make up for it next weekend at the Hero World Challenge, hosted by Tiger Woods.

PGA Tour RSM Classic
Course Sea Island Seaside Course Georgia, USA
Prize Money $7,200,000
Champion Talor Gooch
English players Luke Donald, Callum Tarren, David Skinns, Matt Wallace, Justin Rose, Aaron Rai

LPGA Tour: CME Group Tour Championship

The LPGA is over! The CME Group Tour Championship meant the end of the season for the women. Tiburon Golf Club – Gold Course hosted the last event of the LPGA calendar for the year.

Charley Hull (T15)

Our English golfers kept the excitement throughout the weekend. When the hard work was not showing up as it should, Charley Hull made a 180 degree turn. Hull was even-par after the second round, but giving up was never an option. The English lady re-emerged to finish T15 with an incredible last round of 8-under par, eagle included. Now, it is time to have some rest and set the goals for the upcoming year. “Just sometimes struggle in my rounds, but, yeah, good form going on to next year.” – Hull explains.

Georgia Hall (T24)

On the other hand, Georgia Hall struggled to save the pars. Hall finished T24 with a total of 10-under par. Hall sinked some middle-long putts for birdies, but yet that was not enough to catch up with the top leaderboard. From the amount of bogeys, her long game was not at its finest, and the English golfer found some difficulties to make up & down successfully. The season reached its end, and it is time to reconnect from the scratch to a better season next year.

LPGA Tour CME Group Tour Championship
Course Tiburon Golf Club – Gold Course
Prize Money $5,000,000
Champion Jin Young Ko
English players Georgia Hall, Charley Hull

European Tour: DP World Tour Championship

It’s a wrap! The European Tour celebrated the Race to Dubai Grand Final at the georgeous golf course of Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth Course, in Dubai. This time, only the Top 50 of the Race to Dubai Rankings competed at the Final.

Matt Fitzpatrick (T2)

The Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick finished T2, while Collin Morikawa made history becoming the first American to win the European Tour’s season-long contest. Fitzpatrick tied the last round with Morikawa with a round of 6-under par. Unlucky to the Englishman, that was not enough to defend Champion, and Fitzpatrick stayed 3 shots behind the leader at the end. ” I was really pleased with the way I played and it was nice to make some putts compared to the first couple days.” – Fitzpatrick explains.

Ian Poulter (T6)

Next from England on the leaderboard was Ian Poulter. With a total of 12-under par, Poulter finished T6, only 5 shots from the leader. After an opening round of 1-over par, the English golfer caught up the pace and played some good consistent golf during the last three days.

Other English players within Top 20

Paul Casey and Sam Horsfield tied at T9 with a total of 11-under par. Neither one of them had it easy last weekend, but they fought like warriors. Nevertheless, Casey played very consistent, while Horsfield dropped some positions after the last day. Marcus Armitage and Tyrrell Hatton struggled to hole in more putts, and finished T16 with a total of 9-under par.

EU Tour DP World Tour Championship
Course Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth Course Dubai, UAE
Prize Money $9,000,000
Champion Collin Morikawa
English players James Morrison, Sam Horsfield, Marcus Armitage, Ian Poulter, Danny Willett, Laurie Canter, Tommy Fleetwood, Richard Bland, Paul Casey, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton

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Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours Live

Charley Hull: “I prefer playing links when it’s windy.”

AIG WOMEN’S OPEN

August 18, 2021

Charley Hull

Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland, UK

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are joined by Charley Hull here at the AIG Women’s Open. You’ve had a chance to go out and see Carnoustie. How much are you looking forward to play this weekend and hopefully contending?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, I played this morning in the Pro-Am. It was really fun. It was in great condition. It’s good. It’s playing a good length, like it’s not too long either. Even though it’s playing nearly 400 yards longer than they played it last time, gets. I like it. It’s in great condition.

THE MODERATOR: The challenge, is that something you relish?

CHARLEY HULL: Usually I find them very challenging but after last week I feel like I’m in a good head space. Last week’s golf course was good and felt it was a great warmup for this week. I feel confident in my game at the minute.

Q. Wanted to get your view on Nelly Korda’s performances this summer and how do you feel getting drawn with her? Is that a good thing, recognition of your profile? How do you see it?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, played with her quite a few times this year. She’s playing really good. It’s really good what she’s doing for the game. She’s good fun to play with. I really enjoy it. It’s great.

Q. What do you mean, just raising the profile of the game?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, like winning. It’s good to see like an American player like playing really well. I just think it’s good. Like she’s a nice girl.

Q. We saw there that the prize fund for the competition has gone up quite significantly. Obviously this is a great thing for women’s golf, but how much do you feel that women’s golf’s is on the rise, and is getting that recognition?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, I think it’s brilliant. Obviously I think the prize fund has gone up, what is it — what has it gone up to? Next year it’s going to go up to 6.8. I think that’s brilliant, and a bit this year. I think it’s great. It’s getting a lot more recognisation [sic] which is good. I think it deserves that. Yeah, I think it’s brilliant.

Q. You spoke about going out with Nelly Korda. How significant could that be for your game in terms of raising your game this week?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, like I said, I don’t really take too much notice of who I play with, as long as they are not slow, I enjoy it, and Nelly is a fast player, so it will be good fun.

Q. You’ve had a chance to get a bit of a feel for Carnoustie. What do you make of it overall, the course, and it’s reputation? What have you made of it so far?

CHARLEY HULL: It’s really good. Great condition. The fairways are playing firm and the greens are playing soft. Be nice if they could get the greens a bit more firmer. Yeah, I just think it’s in great condition. It’s nice. Hopefully the wind stays up as well. I prefer playing links when it’s windy.

Q. And what are your hopes for this week?

CHARLEY HULL: Obviously I would like to go and win. I feel like my game is in good condition. My main goal this week is to go out and have fun. I play my best golf when I’m having fun and smiling. That’s my main focus.

Q. Just picking up on the prize money, do you think the women’s game is closing in on the men’s game or sticking at the same feel? How is that dynamic working?

CHARLEY HULL: I think it’s getting better and better and better definitely. I don’t actually take too much notice of it myself, but yeah, I think it’s definitely getting better. Obviously because it’s shown, more media is coming towards it and once you get more media and show it more on TV it’s going to generate more money for sponsors to want to, like, sponsor it. I think it’s good.

Q. In terms of the growth of the women’s game, is visibility the key? Is that what you think is the key to drive people to follow it and participate?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, 100 per cent. I think especially for young girls, as well, because they obviously think it’s an old man’s sport and it’s boring, and it’s really not. I feel like this new breed of players that’s all coming through, it’s all helping the growth of the game.

Q. And do you enjoy that, allowing people to get to know you more and showing your personality?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, definitely. I feel like I’m quite a bubbly personality. Say what I think. Just go out there and have fun and I feel like more people should be like that. It’s nice to see that, you know, like interact with the crowds and stuff, and that’s what I’ve been doing a bit more lately and I think it’s fun — well, when we do have crowds, because of COVID, but it’s coming back to normal.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you very much for your time and very best of luck.

Interview Transcript by ASAP Sports

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Ladies European Tour

Charley Hull: “I think I played really aggressive”

Q. What a fantastic day out there, what a way to end the Women’s Scottish Open, how do you feel after the final round?

CHARLEY HULL: I actually haven’t played well at The Scottish Open before. Definitely nice to be able to kind of finish on a high. The wind was a lot calmer today, so made it a little bit more gettable.

I think I played really aggressive — well, I tried to stay pretty aggressive, and that’s been the mindset feeding off last week. So yeah, just kept it to that and definitely nice to cap this week on a high and hopefully good momentum going into next week.

Q. Reminded me of the final round at ANA where you came back there. How comfortable were you feeling and when did the momentum start kicking in for you?

CHARLEY HULL: I actually hit the ball really well on the first day and I couldn’t really hole anything, and today I holed a few good putts. Made a few good up-and-down. I had two really good looks for eagle and one I converted and one I didn’t. But all in all, you know, I played solid and I think all you can do is just trust your game and I feel like a lot of good things are there.

So you know, I was just trusting it all day like I thought on the last day of the Olympics, and what’s meant to be is going to be. So yeah, I think with that mindset, it definitely putts a lot less pressure on it and I’m just out there playing golf and not trying to do — like trying to get extra out of something that I can’t control.

Q. Last two rounds, bogey-free, that’s got to help your confidence heading into the major.

CHARLEY HULL: I think overall, having a good finish here, that gives me good momentum heading into next week. This was a great golf course leading up to Carnoustie. This is a true links and we know what Carnoustie is like. I’m super excited for next week and learn from this week and take the positives and work on the things that I feel like needs to be worked on and have fun out there and see what happens.

Interview transcript by asapsports.com

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Ladies Tours

Charley Hull: “I’m not a fan of links, but I love this golf course”

Q. Charley, how satisfied are you with your first round here at the Scottish Open?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, it was good. A shame I bogeyed the last hole, but just come up a bit short. And, yeah, no, it’s good. I love the golf course. I’m not a fan of links, will but I love this golf course. I think it’s great.

Q. What is that you’re not a fan of?

CHARLEY HULL: I like links, but I just find it hard to play in a tournament. I just love tree line-type golf courses, where links I find is find very, very there in front of you. Can’t really visualize it very well, but I really like this golf course.

Q. What is it that you do like about it? Because it does seem very different, it’s modern but —

CHARLEY HULL: I don’t know, it’s just — I don’t know what it is, but I just like it.

Q. And how do you feel about your form then generally over this summer?

CHARLEY HULL: Yeah, feels good. I feel in good form at the minute. I think I’ve played — by the end of this, next week, I’ve played 10 weeks out of 12, so that’s a lot of golf. So I’m just getting tired. I’m turning up to events quite late. Didn’t get here till Tuesday night. So just playing. Quite like that attitude actually.

Q. It could work, could be just about feel rather than preparation?

CHARLEY HULL: 100 percent. I prepared well winter and all throughout the year. So I’m coming to the event prepared, just a bit late, turn my mind off on the Monday.

Q. And what about this field? This is a strong field. Is it good to test yourself against that?

CHARLEY HULL: Yes, a normal LPGA field. It’s good to have some of the girls here to join the Tour, so it’s good.

Q. Good luck tomorrow.

Interview transcript by asapsports.com

Post round interview with Charley Hull after round one fo the Women’s Scottish Open