The Solheim Cup takes place at the renowned Inverness Club, in Toledo, Ohio, from 4 – 6 September. Can Catriona Matthew lead team Europe to another victory?
Catriona Matthew led Team Europe to an exciting victory at Gleneagles in 2019, stealing the Solheim Cup from the Americans by one point.
For a while, the trophy looked set to be heading back to the US … until it didn’t.
Europe won the last three singles matches to seal the deal in spectacular fashion, culminating in Suzann Pettersen sinking a nerve-wrenching seven-footer at the 18th.
Returning from an 18-month maternity leave and having only played three LPGA events that year, Pettersen was a questionable Captain’s pick. But she more than repaid Matthew’s faith. The question now is: Can Europe hold on to the trophy for another year?
Who is playing in the Solheim Cup?
With four rookies in her team – and three of them Captain’s picks – Matthew has been pretty bold with her team selection this year.
But look a bit closer and you’ll see a pretty smart balance of experienced players and newcomers who have been working their way up the tour ranks this year. With four of the players fresh off impressive finishes at the AIG Women’s Open, could the mix of experience and momentum see the team through to victory against Pat Hurst’s American team?
Team Europe
- Captain: Catriona Matthew
- Emily Pedersen
- Georgia Hall
- Anna Nordqvist
- Sophia Popov
- Charley Hull
- Carlota Ciganda
- Leona Maguire
- Madelene Sagstrom
- Matilda Castren
- Nanna Koerstz Madsen
- Mel Reid
- Celine Boutier
Team USA
- Captain: Pat Hurst
- Nelly Korda
- Danielle Kang
- Ally Ewing
- Austin Ernst
- Lexi Thompson
- Jesscia Korda
- Magan Khang
- Lizette Salas
- Jennifer Kupcho
- Yealimi Noh
- Mina Harigae
- Brittany Altomare
Can Europe claim another Solheim Cup victory?
It might well be against the odds, but there is definitely real optimism that Europe could spring another surprise this year. Team Europe might be the underdogs, but the Americans are far from unbeatable.
Mel Reid, Anna Nordqvist and Carlota Ciganda all have the advantage of having a few Solheim Cups under their belts.
Players like Charley Hull and Sophia Popov have proved themselves in matchplay time and time again.
And rookies Leona Maguire and Matilda Castren have both more than justified their places on the team; 26-year-old Maguire has risen from 177th to 43rd in the world, whilst Finland’s Castren’s claimed the Gant Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour to secure her LET status and Solheim Cup eligibility. What she achieved, under the pressure, shows real strength.
Four of Matthew’s team were also in the top seven at last week’s AIG Women's Open; Madelene Sagstrom, Georgia Hall and Nanna Koerstz Madsen, as well as golf’s recent major champion, Anna Nordqvist.
There’s no question that will be a significant boost to Europe's confidence heading into next weekend.
Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles Matthew’s team will have to overcome though is the fact that there will be very few European supporters at this year’s Solheim Cup. With COVID-19 still kyboshing most travel plans, the atmosphere on the first tee will be quite different. Team Europe will have to show a lot of resilience if they are to defend the trophy. If Europe were to claim the crown again, it would only be the second time they’ve managed that feat.
The course
The 2021 Solheim Cup takes place at the renowned Inverness Club, in Toledo, Ohio. Former host to the US Open and PGA Championships, the club requires little introduction. Designed by Donald Ross, this is a course that requires strategy and accuracy. Challenging bunker placements, water hazards and elevated tees and fairways guarantee that this will be a weekend of full-on drama.
The format
The Solheim Cup takes place over three days.
On days one and two, morning foursomes matches – where players hit alternate shots – are followed by afternoon fourball matches – where each player plays her own ball and the lowest score counts. The final day, or Singles Sunday, is made up of singles matches. And that’s usually when the magic happens!
How to watch
If you're in the UK, then you can watch over 30 hours of coverage across the three days on Sky Sports:
Saturday September 4 - 1200-0000 live on Sky Sports Golf
Sunday September 5 - 1200-0000 live on Sky Sports Golf
Monday September 6 - 1630-2330 live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Mix, 1800-2300 live on Sky Sports Main Event
To find out more about the Solheim Cup, visit SolheimCup.com.
