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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.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Jon Rahm – Woods Conqueror and Europe’s Key Player

Jon Rahm will be at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Jon Rahm will be at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

World number 3 Jon Rahm is already one of the most successful Spanish golfers of all time. With two Major titles already won and a total of 30 weeks at the top of the world rankings, the 28-year-old golfer manifests his impressive presence on the international stage. Over the course of 2023, Jon Rahm continues on his path of success. A highlight of this year was undoubtedly his victory at the US Masters, where he claimed the coveted Green Jacket. There is no doubt that Jon Rahm will also play a key role in the European team at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Jon Rahm at the Ryder Cup 2023

Rahm qualified for the 2023 Ryder Cup via two routes and was one of the first confirmed members of Team Europe early on. After closing the 2022 season with victories at the Acciona Open de Espana and the DP World Tour Championship, Rahm continued that impressive form in 2023. The year began for him with back-to-back wins on the PGA Tour at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the American Express Championship. It wasn’t long before he was in the winner’s circle again – this time at The Genesis Invitational. His fourth triumph earned Rahm the coveted green jacket and his second major title in April. A closing round of 69 on Sunday secured victory at the Masters by four strokes on what would have been the 66th birthday of the late, great Seve Ballesteros. Since then, he has finished in the top-10 three times, including runner-up finishes at the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club and the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool.

Woods conqueror Rahm faces third Ryder Cup appearance

Rahm has played in two editions of the Ryder Cupp so far (2018, 2020) in which he has recorded four wins, three losses and one draw. The Spaniard made his debut in Paris in 2018 after automatically qualifying for Thomas Bjørn’s European team. A memorable highlight of the week was his first Ryder Cup point, which he claimed during Sunday’s singles matches. In an impressive victory over Tiger Woods, he ensured that all Team Europe players won at least one point over the three days.

Jon Rahm’s greatest successes and prize money

Jon Rahm’s path to professional golf began during his time at Arizona State University. He joined the professional ranks at the remarkably young age of 22, in 2016. Just one year later, “Rahmbo” demonstrated his extraordinary talent when he won his first PGA Tour title at the Farmers Insurance Open. In July 2020, he climbed to the top of the world golf rankings for the first time by winning the Memorial. With this achievement, he followed in the footsteps of the legendary Seve Ballesteros and became the second Spanish golfer to reach this position. The following year, at the US Open, Jon Rahm continued his rise and secured the coveted victory at one of the prestigious Major tournaments. This underlined his ability to dominate at the highest level and hold his own among the best.

Last season was undoubtedly the highlight of Rahm’s career so far. The Spaniard won an impressive four matches this year, including the triumph at the US Masters. A memorable moment that occurred on the birthday of his idol Seve Ballesteros, of all people. This emotional connection gave his success a deeper meaning. Jon Rahm’s exceptional consistency and skills are reflected in his performances. In over 149 events played, he made the cut an incredible 134 times. With an impressive total winnings of $51 million, Rahm is undoubtedly one of the top earners on the tour.

Ryder Cup 2023: A look inside Jon Rahm’s golf bag

Since Jon Rahm’s switch to outfitter Callaway in 2021, things have gone steeply uphill for the exceptional Spanish golfer. With various victories and two Major titles, it was no wonder that he extended the cooperation this year and will now also play in the 2023 Ryder Cup with a pure Callaway golf bag. Rahm’s selection includes the latest woods from the Paradym series, as well as the Players Irons from the Apex models. When it comes to wedges, Rahm relies on Callaway’s classic Jaws Raw. His equipment is rounded off with the Odyssey White Hot OG putter and the Chrome Soft X golf ball.

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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.”

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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)

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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
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Solheim Cup 2023: Team Europe catches up in the Fourballs

Team Europe playing catch up in the fourballs at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Team Europe playing catch up in the fourballs at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)

All four fourball matches on Friday afternoon at the Solheim Cup 2023 were hard contested. While Team Europe secured itself 3 of the 4 possible points, Team USA will still take the lead with a total of 5 points into Saturday.

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup

Solheim Cup 2023: Fourball Matches

Match 5 – Rose Zhang/Megan Khang (USA) tied Gemma Dryburgh/Madelene Sagstrom (EUR)

The United States held the lead from the jump, going 1-up after the first hole. It stayed a 1-up USA advantage through three before Madelene Sagstrom birdied No. 4, deadlocking the match for another hole. Then, Rose Zhang birdied No. 4 just to find the match tied once again after another European birdie on 6. Megan Khang put the Americans back in the lead, where it stayed until being knotted up after 12. The Europeans took their first lead of the match thanks to another Sagstrom birdie but quickly found themselves tied again after 15. Gemma Dryburgh looked to give Europe the edge again after holing out from the fiarway on 16, but Zhang sunk a clutch birdie putt to keep the match dormy. A round of pars on 18 kept the score that way, securing a half point for each squad.

“Halves are huge. I think from past Solheims, you forget how important halves are,” said Khang when asked about how important the half-point was for the team. “But, you know, obviously we’d love to get a full point, but Madelene and Gemma played really well and it was a fun match, honestly. Shots were exchanged, a couple tap-ins here and there from both teams, and again, both clutch putts from both, like, Gemma, Madelene, and everyone in the group.”

Match 6 – Georgia Hall/Leona Maguire (EUR) def. Lexi Thompson/Lilia Vu (USA) – 1 up

After losing each of their foursomes matches this morning, Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire took the Solheim Cup stage again, this time paired together for fourball. The duo stayed even with Americans Lexi Thompson and Solheim Cup rookie Lilia Vu through the first three holes. Hall birdied hole No. 4, giving Europe the 1-up lead for the next nine holes. On 14, Thompson drove the green on the short par 4 and sunk an eagle putt to knot the match. Not for long, though, as the Europeans once again reclaimed the lead and held it for Nos. 15 and 16 before Vu birdied hole 17, tying it up just before the final hole. Coming down to the wire, Maguire chipped in for an impressive birdie and the Americans could not match it, giving Europe their first full point of the event.

“I think our games complement each other really well,” Hall said about why her and Maguire make good partners. “Leona’s short game, as you saw, is phenomenal. I think having a short iron into some holes that gives us maybe a bit more of an aggressive play. But we get on really well, and I think we know each other’s games pretty good. Yeah, it’s nice to be undefeated.”

Match 7 – Jennifer Kupcho/Allisen Corpuz (USA) tied Maja Stark/Emily Kristine Pedersen (EUR)

The U.S. Team took the early 1-up lead thanks to a birdie from Jennifer Kupcho. Her and partner Allisen Corpuz stayed comfortably in the lead through five of the first six holes until Maja Stark tied the match with a birdie on No. 7. America reclaimed the lead on 8 and held it for the next three holes until Emily Kristine Pedersen aced hole No. 12, using her 7-iron to earn just the second hole-in-one in Solheim Cup history and first since Vice Captain Anna Nordqvist made one in 2013. The celebration did not last long with Kupcho adding another birdie on No. 13, giving the U.S. the lead through 15 where Europe tied it up once again. After an even 17, the teams took to No. 18 with the match on the line. Corpuz applied the pressure, sinking a birdie putt to give America the chance before Stark stared down a birdie putt of her own, sinking it and halving the match. 

“Yeah, I mean, I made a lot of birdies. She made a lot of birdies. They made a couple of really good shots holing out. So it was a good match. We played really well,” said Kupcho of the match. 

Match 8 – Carlota Ciganda/Linn Grant (EUR)def. Angel Yin/Ally Ewing (USA) – 4 and 2

In front of her home crowd, Spaniard Carlota Ciganda and her frouball partner Linn Grant earned a decisive win over Angel Yin and Ally Ewing. Ciganda birdied hole one, giving the Europeans their first lead of the day. That lead gradually grew as the matches went on, thanks to low scores by Ciganda and Grant on No. 4, which pushed the lead to two. Yin birdied No. 6, bringing the lead within one. It would stay that way for the next four holes until a Grant birdie on 11 and another Ciganda birdie on 14 put the Europeans 3-up. They finished 4&2 thanks to a pair of birdies on 16, giving Europe their second full point of the day. 

“I was just embracing it and having fun. I think the atmosphere on the first hole, it’s amazing. I’m so happy that we get to play here in Spain. It’s very special for me. I think, yeah, we played great. I feel very comfortable with Linn. She’s an amazing player. I really like how she is on the course and I think that we played a really good four-ball and we were in control all the time. Hopefully, we can keep it the same tomorrow,” said Ciganda. 

(Text: LPGA Communications)

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Suzann Pettersen: “These players are hungry”

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

Eight matches lie behind the two Solheim Cup teams. In the morning, the Americans clearly had the edge and took four out of four points. Captain Suzann Pettersen seems to have given her players just the right amount of support, as they fought valiantly against the favorites in the afternoon and secured three out of four points. In the interview, Suzann Pettersen is confident about the weekend.

Suzann Pettersen in the interview after day 1 of the Solheim Cup

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Solheim Cup 2023: Team USA dominates Friday Foursomes

Team US dominates Friday Foursomes at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Team US dominates Friday Foursomes at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Team USA made a clean sweep in the foursomes on Friday morning at the 2023 Solheim Cup. They lead in Spain with 4:0. This is the first time the United States Team has swept a foursomes round in the history of the Solheim Cup.

Livescoring for the 2023 Solheim Cup

Match 1 – Lexi Thompson/Megan Khang (USA) def. Linn Grant/Maja Stark (EUR), 2 and 1

Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang got off to a hot start in the opening match of the 2023 Solheim Cup, winning the first three holes to immediately set the pace for the American side. The Europeans started chipping back on the sixth hole, where Stark’s birdie cut the deficit to two holes. Stark again cut into the lead with a winning par at No. 11, punctuating the moment with a massive fist pump. Grant poured in a birdie of her own at No. 13 to tie up the match, but Thompson’s birdie putt on No. 15 put the Red, White and Blue back on top for good. They ultimately won the match with a par on the 17th hole.

“I think, honestly, we both just played really solid golf on both sides. She had so many amazing iron shots and gave me looks for birdies, and I just tried to get her down there as far as I could,” said Thompson, who is now 4-2-1 in foursomes at the Solheim Cup.

“She smacked the ball so far down. I had some numbers that I didn’t even have in the book. I was like, wow, this is different,” added Khang while celebrating her first foursomes victory. She is now 1-1-0. 

Match 2 – Danielle Kang/Andrea Lee (USA) def. Celine Boutier/Georgia Hall (EUR), 1-up

The U.S. Team held a 1-up lead from the jump with an opening hole birdie and would keep it until Celine Boutier dropped in a birdie putt to take the lead on No. 6. Back and forth for the next few holes, the United States would not go away quietly tying the match on No. 7 with Europe taking the lead once again on No. 8 and the U.S. Team squaring it up heading into the back. The matched stayed tied thanks to some clutch putts on both sides before Andrea Lee sunk a birdie putt on No. 17 to give the United States the 1-up lead, securing the win for the United States Team. 

“Honestly, I’m just so proud of [Andrea],” said Kang. “It’s been her first showing, first Solheim Cup match, and she held it together. I know she was saying that she was nervous, but she was hitting shots, she was stiffing it all day giving me birdie chances, and when I put her in a tough spot, she still left me alive. So I told her, I got it, I’ll clean it up, and it’s been really, really fun and enjoyable.”

Match 3 – Nelly Korda/Allisen Corpuz (USA) def. Leona Maguire/Anna Nordqvist (EUR), 1-up

After an errant tee shot into the water on hole 1, the United States found themselves trailing 1-down the first two holes before tying it up on No. 3. The U.S. would go on to take a 2-up lead for three holes before the European Team would once again, tie up the match thanks to a long birdie putt from the vice-captain and player, Anna Nordqvist. The United States took a 2-up lead on the back nine and kept the Europeans at bay the rest of the way, winning 1-up after 18 holes.

“For [Allisen] to come out and make some really clutch putts for us it was great to see,” said Korda of her partner. She may be a rookie, but I think she came in really clutch today and she doesn’t show that at all.”

Match 4 – Ally Ewing/Cheyenne Knight (USA) def. Charley Hull/Emily K. Pedersen (EUR), 5 and 4

Match four started their day tied after the first hole but the U.S. Team took command and held control for the rest of the match after winning with par on the second. A birdie on hole 4 kept things rolling for the Team United States. More pars on 5, 6 and 7 gave the duo of Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight a 5-up advantage before the turn. A birdie on No. 9 for the United States all but sealed the victory to earn them their first point of the 2023 Solheim Cup. After the turn, the European Team won their first hole on No. 10 before Knight sank an 8-footer to give the U.S. Team a 5-and-4 victory.

“We know we’re going to be in for a dog fight. Team Europe’s really stacked. Honestly, I think it kind of set the tone, kind of Lexi going out first. A lot of people have doubted her, and I hope that she pulls out the point today, and I saw they got off to a really great start. But I think we are the underdogs and we’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose and we are here to kind of shock some people,” said Knight of the U.S. Teams foursomes sweep. 

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Stacy Lewis on the missed Opportunity of Ryder Cup/Solheim Cup 2023 Double Feature

Stacy Lewis as Captain of Team USA at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Stacy Lewis as Captain of Team USA at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

As the anticipation builds ahead of the Solheim Cup 2023 in Spain, Team USA, led by Captain Stacy Lewis, emanates a sense of excitement, unity, and confidence. The press conferences provided a platform for the players to express their feelings, expectations, and preparations for the high-stake tournament, revealing insights into their mentality, camaraderie, and strategic approaches.

Team USA Captain Stacy Lewis: “We’re moving in the right direction”

Captain Stacy Lewis and her squad have hit the ground running, focusing on unity and trust within the team to navigate the challenges presented by the course layout. Lewis expressed her excitement, saying, “We’ve had good practice rounds, and we’re moving in the right direction.” Her sentiments were echoed by Morgan Pressel and Natalie Gulbis, with the latter describing the Solheim Cup as her “absolute favorite work week.”

Analyzing the event’s location and logistics, Lewis highlighted how analytics played a pivotal role in their preparations, “It’s been my start point for everything… analytics are a huge part of what we’re doing.” The strategic significance of the drivable par-4 on the first hole was also discussed, seen as an opportunity to put some pressure on Team Europe right from the start.

Despite some setbacks and disappointments over missed opportunities for joint promotions with the Ryder Cup Lewis remains hopeful about future collaborations for the betterment of women’s sport, “I thought this could have been marketed together as two weeks in Europe, two Cups for play… Let’s further the game of golf in general,” she stated.

The camaraderie, mutual support, and the shared excitement are forming the essence of Team USA’s experience ahead of the Solheim Cup 2023. The amalgamation of experienced guidance from the veterans, the youthful energy from the rookies, and the strategic insights under Captain Lewis’s leadership have made the team optimistic about facing the challenges and putting up a spirited fight in the tournament.

Solheim Cup 2023 Rookies are excited

The rookies of Team USA, Andrea Lee, Rose Zhang, Cheyenne Knight, Allisen Corpuz and Lilia Vu, expressed their surreal experiences and excitement at being part of such a prestigious event. Lee described being in Spain and witnessing everything coming together as “super exciting,” while Zhang emphasized her commitment to the team’s success, “Regardless of how much I’m playing, I’m going to be fighting out there every single event or every single match that I participate in.”

Vu likened the team environment to her experiences with college golf, emphasizing the enjoyment she’s found in practice rounds and team bonding activities. The comparison between their shared history and experiences at the Solheim Cup 2023 was marked as special, especially by Stanford Cardinals, Andrea Lee, and Rose Zhang, who valued their shared experiences in Spain.

Veterans offer Insights and Guidance

The veterans, Angel Yin and Angela Stanford, offered valuable guidance and support to the newcomers, helping them navigate their nerves and adrenaline. Yin expressed confidence in the rookies, citing them as well-experienced and praising the leadership of Stacy, “she really keeps the team together, and she’s very transparent, very good at communicating…”

Stanford shared advice to rookies on enjoying the unique experience and being honest. She along with Morgan Pressel emphasized the team’s competitive nature and considered it a real asset for the upcoming matches.

The players engaged in special bonding activities like trivia games and dinner outings, cherishing the moments and gifts received, especially their USA golf bags. The players, including Cheyenne Knight and Allisen Corpuz, highlighted the cohesive dynamics, supportive atmosphere, and the beautiful landscape of the golf course.

Ally Ewing, Lexi Thompson, and Danielle Kang emphasized the honor of representing their country and showed enthusiasm about the team’s strength and leadership. They discussed the course’s condition, the strategy involved, and the importance of statistics in preparing partnerships, providing better insights for teaming up.

With the new approach fostering unity, challenging terrains sparking strategic discussions, and the unequivocal commitment from every member, Team USA seems ready to represent their country with their best efforts and is looking forward to the competition with zeal and anticipation. The Solheim Cup is thus setting the stage for a spirited clash, blending experience with fresh talent and strategic gameplay, promising an enthralling experience for the spectators.

(This article was created using AI.)

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Ryder Cup 2023: Norway’s Viktor Hovland – Ray of Sunshine for Team Europe

Norwegian Viktor Hovland starts for Team Europe at The 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Norwegian Viktor Hovland starts for Team Europe at The 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Viktor Hovland was the third player to be confirmed as a certain part of the European team for the 2023 Ryder Cup. Ranked No. 5 in the official world golf rankings at the time of qualification and thus the third-best European golfer in the world, the Norwegian secured his ticket for the team and enters the tournament as a promising player. He was the first Norwegian ever to make the Ryder Cup team two years ago. To confirm his position on the team, he celebrated victory at the BMW Championship just a few weeks before the 2023 Ryder Cup, and just one week later he also celebrated success at the Tour Championship.

Viktor Hovland at the Ryder Cup 2023

Thanks to his results this season, Viktor Hovland secured his place on Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup via his ranking in the world points rankings. Thanks to his consistent performance – Hovland did not miss a single cut – and the consistent successes he has achieved in recent months, the 25-year-old has now even climbed to fourth place in the world rankings. At the time of qualifying, only two Americans and two Europeans scored more world ranking points: Scottie Scheffler (1), Rory McIlroy (2), Jon Rahm (3) and Patrick Cantlay (4). As the third best European, Hovland thus secured his place in the team after Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

With the good form in which Viktor Hovland has now been presenting himself for a long time, he is entering the 2023 Ryder Cup as a hopeful. Hovland’s numerous top-ranked finishes were crowned not least by his performances at the four majors: he finished in the top-20 at all four tournaments. His worst finish was 19th place at the US Open. He finished the Open Championship in joint 13th place and the Masters in T7. At the PGA Championship, the Norwegian’s first major title was within his grasp – he finished in second place. Nevertheless, he was among the winners this season: At the Memorial Tournament in Muirfield, Hovland claimed his fourth PGA Tour victory in the middle of the year. His second win of the year followed shortly before the end of the season. With a record round and a five-stroke lead, he snatched victory at the BMW Championship, only to go on to win the final tournament of the PGA Tour season a week later.

Viktor Hovland and his Norwegian history at the Ryder Cup

The Norwegian’s Ryder Cup career is still young. Two years ago, he made his debut in Team Europe, when he fought for victory with his teammates at Whistling Straits, but lost the competition handily. Nevertheless, he celebrated a huge success even before the tournament began: Viktor Hovland was and remains to this day the first and only Norwegian player ever to become part of the Ryder Cup team, thus making history.

Alongside Jon Rahm, he was the only player to play in all five sessions for Team Europe; his record was 0-3-2. Three defeats could not be avoided for Hovland and his teammates, but twice the then 24-year-old scored half a point each. Once in his second duel with Tommy Fleetwood against Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay and in the singles match on Sunday. Here he faced Collin Morikawa and would have had to get the full point to avoid the early victory of the opposing team. This year, the European team is looking to reclaim the trophy on home soil.

Viktor Hovland’s most notable successes

After a promising amateur career, Viktor Hovland turned professional in 2019 and emerged as a high-flyer. In the same year, he set the PGA Tour record for most consecutive rounds in the 60s – in total, he played a score under 70 19 times in a row. Just as he became the first Norwegian to be part of the Ryder Cup, Viktor Hovland is also the first Norwegian to win on both the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) and the PGA Tour. He has now collected a total of seven victories on both tours combined, making him one of the most consistent golfers in Europe. At the Hero World Challenge 2022, Hovland achieved his first title defense on the PGA Tour, equaling Tiger Woods as the only player with two consecutive victories at this event. In his young career, the 25-year-old, who will turn 26 shortly before the 2023 Ryder Cup, has now earned more than 23 million euros in prize money. This does not include the 18 million dollars he won at the Tour Championship.

Ryder Cup 2023: A look inside Viktor Hovland’s bag

Viktor Hovland is also relying on the successful combination of Ping, Titleist and TaylorMade at the Ryder Cup. In addition to the Ping G425 LST driver, he will also be using the Stealth Plus 3-wood in his bag. With a 16.5 degree slope, he gets a bit more spin and height out of the long wood. Completing the “long section” of his golf bag is a driving iron from Titleist. With the U505 3-iron, Hovland can deliver pinpoint tee shots and controllable carry shots. The Ping i210 Players irons complete his iron set, providing spin, accuracy and versatile trajectories. Like teammate Hatton, Hovland reaches for the Ping Glide 4.0 wedge around the greens in Rome. On the short-cut, the Norwegian uses a prototype of the Ping PLD Milled putter in the DS72 variant. He also uses the popular Titleist Pro V1.