Here are all the details you need for the 2021 Solheim Cup, which gets underway on the 4th September.
Solheim Cup 2021 – What You Need To Know
The Solheim Cup is one the most prestigious events in the golfing calendar, with Europe and USA doing battle over three days of fierce competition.
With the event almost upon us, here is all the information you need to know.
Where Is The Solheim Cup Being Held?
The Solheim Cup will be played at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.
Previously holding four US Opens and two PGA Championships, the club has also seen the US Amateur, US Senior Open, and US Junior Amateur Championships played over its layout.
Fun fact: S.P. Jermain, who was one of the founders, was also a major figure in the development of competitive golf and is credited for suggesting and forming the concept of the Ryder Cup format.
What Are The Dates And Format for the Solheim Cup?
Solheim Cup week officially begins on Tuesday 31st August – 6th September.
The opening ceremony takes place on Friday 3rd September with the actual competition starting on Saturday 4th September and ending on Monday 6th.
The Opening Ceremony for the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
The format on the first and second day, goes likes this: in the morning we will see four Foursomes matches, with four Fourball matches taking place in the afternoon.
Related: The Difference Between Fourball and Foursomes
On the third and final day, we are treated to 12 single matches, with the closing ceremony being held afterwards.
Who Are The Captains?
Team Europe – Catriona Matthew
Catriona Matthew returns as captain for this years Solheim Cup, after claiming the title as captain in 2019 at Gleneagles.
The Scot has featured in nine Solheim Cups as a player throughout her career, winning three times (2003, 2011 & 2013).
Matthew led her squad to victory at the 2019 Solheim Cup in Gleneagles by just one point. Later that year, she was announced as captain for a second time.
Matthew lifts the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“Winning the Solheim Cup in Scotland was a dream come true, but backing that up with a win in America would be even better. It’s always harder to win on US soil, but I’m honoured to be tasked with the mission. I was lucky enough to be part of the first European team to win on US soil at Colorado Golf Club in 2013 and so know what’s possible,” said Matthew.
If Team Europe were to win, Matthew would become the first to lead Europe to successive wins.
Team USA – Pat Hurst
Looking to capture the trophy for America is Team USA’s captain, Pat Hurst, who has featured in five Solheim Cups, winning four of them.
Hurst, who was announced as captain in January 2020, previously served as assistant captain to Juli Inkster’s teams; winning in 2015 and ’17, and losing in ’19.
Inkster (L) with Hurst in 2014. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“I loved being an assistant captain; loved what I’d learned and seen being around captain Juli Inkster and all those great players on the last three American Solheim Cup teams. Nothing makes your hair stand up or causes tingles to run down your arms like the drama and intensity of those three days,” said Hurst.
How Many Players Are On A Solheim Cup Team?
Just like the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup teams are made up of 12 players, with an additional three assistant captains. The selection criteria for the two teams is slightly different.
Originally, Team Europe’s selection was made up of three players from the Ladies European Tour points list, five from the world rankings and three picks. Due to Covid and a much different schedule, this has been changed.
Europe will now only have two coming from the Ladies European Tour points list and four from the world rankings.
For Team USA, the selection criteria is the top seven players on the LPGA Solheim Cup points list, the next two highest-ranked eligible players in the Rolex women’s world golf rankings and three picks.
Team Europe
Solheim Cup Points Standings
Emily Kristine Pedersen – Denmark – One Solheim Cup appearance (2017)
Georgia Hall – England – Two Solheim Cup appearances (2017, 2019)
Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings
Anna Nordqvist – Sweden – Six Solheim Cup appearances (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Sophia Popov – Germany – Solheim Cup debut
Charley Hull – England – Four Solheim Cup appearances (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Charley Hull will be making her fifth appearance at the Solheim Cup. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Carlota Ciganda – Four Solheim Cup appearances – (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Captain’s Picks
Leona Maguire – Ireland – Solheim Cup debut
Matilda Castren – Finland – Solheim Cup debut
Nanna Koerstz Madsen – Denmark – Solheim Cup debut
Madelene Sagstrom – Sweden – One Solheim Cup appearance (2017)
Celine Boutier – France – One Solheim Cup appearance (2019)
Mel Reid – England – Three Solheim Cup appearances – (2011, 2015, 2017) – Assistant Captain (2019)
Related: Anna Nordqvist Wins AIG Women’s Open At Carnoustie
Europe’s team will include four rookies, with Leona Maguire, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Matilda Castren, and Sophia Popov all set to make their debuts in the tournament. Maguire will also become the first Irish player to represent Team Europe in the Solheim Cup.
Leona Maguire will become the first Irish player to feature at the Solheim Cup. (Photo by Warren Little/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
We also see three players return for the 2021 edition, with Emily Kristine Pedersen, Madelene Sagstrom and Mel Reid making their first appearances since 2017. Reid was an Assistant Captain at Gleneagles in 2019.
Related: Solheim Cup Team Europe 2021
Team USA
Solheim Cup Points List
Nelly Korda – One Solheim Cup appearance (2019)
Danielle Kang – Two Solheim Cup appearances (2017, 2019)
Ally Ewing – One Solheim Cup appearance (2019)
Austin Ernst – One Solheim Cup appearance (2017)
Lexi Thompson – Four Solheim Cup appearances (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Thompson will be making her fifth appearance. (Photo by Chloe Knott/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Jessica Korda – Two Solheim Cup appearances (2013, 2019) Did qualify for 2017, but withdrew to injury.
Megan Khang – One Solheim Cup appearance (2019)
Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings
Lizette Salas – Four Solheim Cup appearances (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Captain’s Picks
Brittany Altomare – One Solheim Cup appearance (2019)
Mina Harigae – Solheim Cup debut
Yealimi Noh – Solheim Cup debut
Team USA is now final
pic.twitter.com/tluDMN2NOx
— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) August 23, 2021
Team USA field an extremely strong side for 2021, with world number one Nelly Korda, the marquee player for America.
Related: Nelly Korda Wins Tense Olympic Gold Medal
The most experienced players for Team USA are Lexi Thompson and Lizette Salas who make their fifth Solheim Cup appearances, whilst a number of players make their second appearance at the Inverness Club.
Jennifer Kupcho, Mina Harigae and Yealimi Noh will make their debuts for Team USA in September.
Related: Solheim Cup Team United States 2021
Who Won The 2019 Solheim Cup?
In the 2019 edition of the event, it was Team Europe who claimed the trophy for the first time since 2013.
After two days, the two teams couldn’t be split, with the scores standing at 8-8 going into the Sunday singles.
On the Sunday, we were treated to one of the greatest and closest finishes in the history of matchplay golf, with the Europeans claiming victory in the last 3 games to reclaim the cup.
Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist beat Morgan Pressel 4&3, Bronte Law defeated Ally McDonald 2&1 to level the scores up and only a minute or so later, Suzann Pettersen holed the winning putt on the 18th green for the victory.
It is OVER! Captain's pick @suzannpettersen birdies the 18th hole and wins the 2019 #SolheimCup for @SolheimCupEuro pic.twitter.com/xw247OwHLW
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 15, 2019
Almost immediately after holing the putt, Pettersen announced her retirement from the game.
How Big Is The Solheim Cup?
The Solheim Cup continues to grow and grow year by year, with more than 90,000 people turning out to watch the event at Gleneagles in 2019.
There was also more than 3,000 hours of broadcast coverage in 200 territories around the world.
This year, we can expect a predicted attendance of more than 150,000 spectators, with broadcasters from all around the world showcasing the event.
Where Is The Next Solheim Cup?
At the end of 2020, it was announced that the 2023 Solheim Cup will be held at Finca Cortesin, in the heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol during the 18th-24th September.
Spain is set to stage the Solheim Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history, with the Ryder Cup heading to Italy just one week later.
The course has previously hosted three Volvo World Match Play Championships from 2009 to 2012.
After the completion of the tournament, the Solheim Cup will move back to even years starting in 2024.
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