Solheim Cup 2023: Europe aims for historic third win in intense golf showdown
Posted : 19 September 2023
The Solheim Cup, a prestigious golf tournament, is set to begin with Europe aiming for a record third consecutive win. This competition, taking place at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, is expected to be intense, with strong leadership from Suzann Pettersen for Europe and Stacy Lewis for the United States.
Pettersen is known for her controversial "gimme-gate" incident in the 2015 Solheim Cup, where she claimed a hole after her opponent mistakenly picked up her ball, causing an uproar. However, she has since returned to the competition as a surprise pick in 2019 and made the winning putt to cap her career dramatically.
Despite her fiery past, Pettersen is seen as a calm and fun captain by assistant Dame Laura Davies. Europe boasts a strong team, with their top eight players ranked in the world's top 40.
However, Pettersen has taken a gamble by selecting Emily Kristine Pedersen and Caroline Hedwall, ranked 121st and 122nd in the world, based on their Solheim grit rather than current form. This move has raised eyebrows as neither player has had significant success in 2023.
In contrast, the US team includes five rookies, including double major winner Lilia Vu, US Open winner Allisen Corpuz, and rising star Rose Zhang. The American team, though featuring rookies, has considerable experience in major events.
The Solheim Cup has a history of closely contested matches, with the last two won by Europe with a combined margin of three points. Stacy Lewis, the US captain, acknowledges Europe's strong momentum and believes her team is facing a tough challenge on European soil.
The competition promises to be a classic battle between two determined teams, led by uncompromising captains, and the outcome remains uncertain.
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