After two years of waiting, it is finally again time for the Solheim Cup.
The most emotion-wrenching and inspiring event in women’s professional golf is back this week as Team Europe looks to make it three victories in a row against the United States at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in St. Leon-Rot, Germany. U.S. Captain Juli Inkster has assembled a strong squad to make the overseas trip and battle the Europeans and Captain Carin Koch Friday through Sunday in women’s golf’s preeminent match play competition.
Emotions and nerves will be running wild at the one-of-a-kind event, which pits the 12 best players from Europe against the top 12-ranked Americans in three days of match play beyond parallel. The United States may lead the overall series 8-5, but Team Europe won in 2011 in Ireland and 2013 in Colorado, its first triumph on American soil.
Something will have to give in Germany, where a prized and primed par-72, 6,535-yard course awaits the world’s top female players. Europe’s victory in 2013 marked the first time the Europeans successfully retained the cup since the biennial event began in 1990, and they have no plans of giving it back this week.
Led by veterans Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, Team Europe also consists of stellar players France’s Gwladys Nocera and Karine Icher, England’s Charley Hull and Melissa Reid, Spain’s Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew. In addition, Germans Sandra Gal and Caroline Masson will have the unique thrill of playing for Team Europe in their home country, so they will have no shortage of motivation and support this week.
Two-time and reigning Rolex Player of the Year Stacy Lewis once again leads the American contingent, and she will have the talents of Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel, Angela Stanford, Gerina Piller, Alison Lee, Lizette Salas, Brittany Lang and Paula Creamer by her side as it looks to end Europe’s streak.
This year’s group is veteran-heavy, with 23 of the 24 players entering Friday’s play with past Solheim Cup experience. The United States’ Lee is the lone rookie, but has represented the U.S. in three previous PING Junior Solheim Cups in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Another player to watch will be Hedwall, who became the first competitor in Solheim Cup history to go undefeated through the three-day affair when she was 5-0 in Colorado in 2013. She was one of Koch’s captain’s picks after failing to qualify on her own, so it will be interesting to see if match play will re-ignite her talent and get her back to top form.
It is going to be a stellar week for golf fans and the sport in general as one of the flagship events takes place in the forefront of the golf world. One question remains above all others.
Who wants it more?
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