World No. 2 Lilia Vu is on the bench for the opening matches, as is rising star Rose Zhang.
CASARES, Spain — The opening tee shots of the 2023 Solheim Cup are just hours away and the first group of pairings have officially been announced.
Friday morning’s foursomes pairings and matches at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast were released during the opening ceremony Thursday night at nearby Marbella Arena, with none other than U.S. star Lexi Thompson, who has struggled this year, set to take the first swing alongside Megan Khang against European and Swedish rookies, Linn Grant and Maja Stark.
Notably on the bench for the American side are world No. 2 Lilia Vu, who won two major championships this season, as well as rising star Rose Zhang, who has a penchant for match play.
“I wanted to get off to a good start. I wanted to get out four really good pairings and that’s kind of been my focus this whole time,” said U.S. captain Stacy Lewis. “So it was more about who matched up together versus even — I didn’t even look at who was sitting, to be honest. I wasn’t even worried about who was sitting. It was more just what are my best four options.”
“For my sake, I feel like I’ve had these four pairings down on paper for quite a few months now,” added European captain Suzann Pettersen. “It was more like in what order do you play ’em.”
Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the first session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)
“They have won the last two, we’re on their soil, they have a great team that has a ton, a ton of experience.”
The Solheim captains aren’t shying away from the obvious in Spain.
This is the strongest team Europe has ever fielded, and with the momentum of winning the past two Solheim Cups and the advantage of a home crowd, Suzann Pettersen’s team comes in as the favorite at Finca Cortesin.
“I don’t think there’s anything to hide under a chair that if you look on paper, we have the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Pettersen, “and that’s based on great performances over the last few years from all the players. So with good results, there’s also expectations, but these girls are so up for it, so we can’t wait.”
While the American’s average Rolex Ranking of 25 is actually lower than Europe’s 43, two of Pettersen’s captain’s picks ranked outside the top 100 – Emily Pedersen and Caroline Hedwall – are experienced Cuppers with plenty of years on the LPGA. Hedwall, in fact, went 5-0 a decade ago in Colorado.
“I think Europe’s the favorite,” said Lewis on Wednesday. “They have won the last two, we’re on their soil, they have a great team that has a ton, a ton of experience in this event. So you look at history, you know, it doesn’t bode well for us. But I love our chances. I love these rookies. I think they’re going to have a great week and hopefully surprise a lot of people.”
Both teams have been doing a lot of winning of late on the LPGA with five players on Team USA combining for seven titles in 2023. The Europeans, led by France’s Celine Boutier, have a combined five titles among three players.
“I can’t remember another time, another year, where so many Americans and Europeans were winning leading up to the Solheim Cup,” said assistant captain Angela Stanford. “I can’t remember a time where it just felt like all year long it was back and forth.”
Angel Yin of Team USA reacts during practice prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 21, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
When asked if the team vibe felt different this year with so many considering Europe the favorite, American Angel Yin said that was the first she’d heard of it.
“I think we’re just going to kill it,” said a smiling Yin. “I mean, I haven’t heard anything other than that, other than we’re just going to kill it.”
Do they feel like underdogs?
“Honestly, I think both teams are stacked very well,” said Megan Khang. “I know – I think we have a little more rookies on our team …”
“Our rookies also have three major championships,” Nelly Korda quickly added, referring to Lilia Vu (Chevron, AIG Women’s British) and Allisen Corpuz (U.S. Women’s Open).
It’s no doubt a changing-of-the-guard year for Team USA, with so many top players making their debut. The last time the Americans went into a Cup on foreign soil off two losses was 2015 in Germany. Lexi Thompson is the only American player on this year’s team who was part of that historic comeback at St. Leon-Rot.
Juli Inkster introduced Paul Azinger’s pod system to that 2015 team, and they bought in. Lewis, however, isn’t carrying on the pod tradition, relying more instead on a new stats system backed by KPMG.
“It’s been my start point for everything,” said Lewis.” It’s not the be all. There’s certainly personalities of people do or don’t want to play together, maybe it’s a golf ball issue, but analytics are a huge part of what we’re doing and it’s helped justify things to me in my head and it’s helped justify things with the players as well.”
Pettersen, meanwhile, has been the most transparent captain to date, according to players, asking especially for input on pairings.
“I do think she’s taking communication to a whole different level within Team Europe,” said the team’s eldest player, Anna Nordqvist, “discussing with players what everyone feels comfortable with and who wants to play with who. So I feel like this week it’s been a big team effort.”
“We are enthusiastic supporters of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team and are promoting the Solheim Cup in a number of ways.”
Stacy Lewis didn’t hold back on Wednesday when asked if she thought more could’ve been done to promote the first back-to-back Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup in Europe.
“I think it was a missed opportunity for the sport of golf,” said Lewis, who said she worked hard trying to get some synergy between the organizations.
The first Solheim Cup ever contested on Spanish soil gets underway Friday at Finca Cortesin, where Team Europe looks to win three in a row. Next week, the Ryder Cup will be held in Rome for the first time.
The PGA of America gave Golfweek the following statement in response to Lewis’ comments:
“We are enthusiastic supporters of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team and are promoting the Solheim Cup in a number of ways. For starters, we are creating digital assets and collaborating with our friends at the LPGA on our social media channels. For the first time, we produced a U.S. Ryder Cup Team video in which the players and our Captain expressed their support for the Solheim Cup Team.
“We are also supporting the Solheim Cup with editorial content on PGA.com and by engaging with Solheim Cup content across PGA of America channels. Finally, our CEO Seth Waugh will be onsite in Spain to cheer on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team for all of us. While scheduling and logistics challenges precluded some other joint activations, the PGA of America will help to raise awareness in a meaningful way through our digital and social media efforts.”
The U.S. Ryder Cup Twitter account released a good luck video on Thursday at 10 a.m. with the likes of Wyndham Clark wishing luck to fellow 2023 U.S. Open winner Allisen Corpuz, and Brian Harman giving a shoutout to fellow British Open winner Lilia Vu.
The Solheim Cup has been contested in odd years since 2003. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing Ryder Cup officials to cancel in 2020, the biennial men’s event opted to stay with odd years after the 2021 contest at Whistling Straits.
The Solheim Cup moves back to even years next year at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.
If you’re traveling to Spain for the Ryder Cup, you might as well be decked out in your team’s colors.
CASARES, Spain — There’s just something special about team golf, and that’s been evident this week in Spain for the 2023 Solheim Cup.
Players and captains relish the opportunity to represent their country (or continent) on a global stage, and every other year fans flock to join in on the fun. The best players from the United States take on the best from Europe in some must-see matches that highlight the best of golf, and there’s always a handful of spectators that stand out among the crowds with wild outfits and costumes.
Check out the best photos of both American and European fans at the 2023 Solheim Cup.
A drivable par-4 1st hole sets a unique tone for what fans should expect to see this week in Spain.
CASARES, Spain — When’s the last time you saw a drivable par 4 on the first hole of a golf course?
Fans who tune in to the 2023 Solheim Cup this week at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast will be treated to the rarity as the opening hole will provide a risk-reward option for players right from the jump.
A lot of the pre-match discussion this week from both players and captains has been about the unique test that this year’s host course will provide. The course at Finca Cortesin offers wide fairways and will bless the good shots and penalize the poor ones. Not only that, the heat and hills will make the 18th matches between the United States and Europe an equal parts physical and mental test for players and their caddies.
Here’s what the stars of the week had to say about this year’s host course as the Solheim Cup is held in Spain for the first time in its nearly two-decade history.
CASARES, Spain — We’re just a day away from the upcoming matches and a bit of Solheim Cup history has already been made this year.
The Europeans are primed to win a third consecutive Solheim Cup as the 2023 matches head to Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Spain, but a stout American lineup stands in the way.
Leading the United States will be 38-year-old Stacy Lewis, who set the mark as the youngest U.S. captain. Patty Sheehan had the previous record of 45 years old in 2002. The youngest-ever captain? That’d be Europe’s 2003 leader, Catrin Nilsmark, at 36 years, 13 days.
Dating back to the inaugural event in 1990, the Solheim Cup has been contested 17 times around the world. From Colorado to Germany, Florida to Scotland, a total of 444 matches have been played, and the U.S. holds a slight advantage. The Americans have won 196 matches to Europe’s 181 wins, with 67 matches tied. That means the two sides are separated by just 15 points all-time: U.S.: 229½ points; Europe: 214½.
Team
Overall
Singles
Foursomes
Fourballs
U.S. wins
196
97
49
50
Europe wins
181
71
59
51
Ties
67
28
17
22
Total
444
196
125
123
The U.S. has dominated singles (97-71-28), but has a losing record in both foursomes (49-59-27) and fourball (50-51-22).
If you’re a fan of fun facts and figures, take a deeper look at the history of the Solheim Cup.
From hats and shirts to ornate scarves and impressive jewelry, there’s something for everyone in Spain.
CASARES, Spain — Fans at the 2023 Solheim Cup have a handful of options and styles to choose from when they visit the large merchandise tent just inside the welcome gates at the luxurious Finca Cortesin.
If you want to rep your country or continent, there’s plenty of Team Europe and Team USA decorated shirts, hats and accessories. There’s also non team specific gear for sale, as well as some Spanish-inspired options like collapsible fans to battle the heat and ornate scarves that will surely class up any outfit.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to be on Spain’s southern coast to make a purchase as both Team Europe and Team USA are selling gear (links below). Check out the best merchandise for sale at the 2023 Solheim Cup.
“I thought this could have been marketed together as two weeks in Europe, two Cups for play.”
It’s Solheim Cup week, but it’s also the eve of the Ryder Cup. There’s been so much buzz about the lead-up to Rome, that it’s been difficult for the biggest event in women’s golf to enjoy the spotlight it deserves.
Many believed that back-to-back Cups in Europe would generate more interest in the women’s game with a dramatic fortnight of team golf.
But before Judy Rankin boarded a plane for Spain last week, the legendary commentator and LPGA player lamented that media outlets hadn’t done more to promote this unique time in the game, telling Golfweek, “all I have heard about basically is the Ryder Cup.”
During her Wednesday press conference, U.S. captain Stacy Lewis was asked about what little connection there’s been between the Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. She called it a “massive missed opportunity” for golf.
“I thought this could have been marketed together as two weeks in Europe, two Cups for play,” said Lewis. “I think it was a missed opportunity for the sport of golf. I wish that, you know, people could get the sponsorship things out of their head and let’s figure out how we can work together, because this may not ever happen again of the two Cups being in the same year.”
The Solheim Cup has been contested in odd years since 2003. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing Ryder Cup officials to cancel in 2020, the biennial men’s event opted to stay with odd years after the 2021 contest at Whistling Straits.
The change gave the two Cups a chance to go back-to-back for the first time on European soil and gave golf organizations a unique opportunity to work together.
“I tried. I tried really hard, actually,” said Lewis. “I probably spent more time on it than I should have. But whether it was timing or it was too late in the process, I don’t know. I mean, to really market it correctly, like, this probably had to happen two years ago. So it’s something that going forward, I think the game of golf needs to get on the same page and do better with.”
What if, for example, last week Nelly Korda had been joined by Scottie Scheffler or Justin Thomas on NBC’s “Today” to promote the two Cups? Joint commercials promoting the two events and cross-promotion on social media platforms could’ve grown interest. The official Ryder Cup USA Twitter account has more than 300,000 followers compared to Solheim Cup Team USA’s 17,000. The gap is similar on Instagram.
Any kind of bump from the men’s game would be beneficial.
With the USGA hosting its men’s and women’s U.S. Opens in California this year, the organization once again held back-to-back media days to maximize coverage for both events. The USGA went so far as to charter a flight for the media, making it seamless to get from Los Angeles Country Club to Pebble Beach last May for championship previews.
The women’s preview day felt every bit as important as the men’s.
The United States team pose for their team picture (front L-R) Megan Khang, Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis (captain), Danielle Kang Ally Ewing and (back row L-R) Lilia Vu, Allisen Corpuz, Rose Zhang, Jennifer Kupcho, Nelly Korda, Alison Lee, Angel Yin, Cheyenne Knight during the official photo-call prior to The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 19, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
With the Solheim Cup moving to even years again in 2024, this kind of opportunity isn’t likely to come around again. Lewis really liked the potential that came with having the events in the same year.
But if 2023 is any indication, this likely would hurt the Solheim Cup in the long run, given the lack of connection between the events and how much Ryder Cup news largely overshadows.
With so much of the golf world already focused on storylines in Rome, imagine what Monday will look like once the Solheim Cup has finished. How many will still be talking about what happened at Finca Cortesin?
“Think what a big deal these two weeks are and the first week I won’t say has been ignored,” said Rankin, “but almost.”
“Somebody missed the proverbial boat, and whoever somebody is, I hope I never hear again ‘for the good of the game.’ ”
Just weeks after claiming the NCAA title she became the first player to win her LPGA debut since 1951, earning her LPGA card in one start. For Zhang, making history is like making par.
Zhang continues to set the bar even higher for herself each step she takes in her career, and this week is yet another opportunity for her to make the challenging look effortless. The 20-year-old will be one of five American rookies to tee it up at the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast after she automatically qualified due to her world ranking, and it’s an opportunity she isn’t taking lightly.
“It’s so hard to rank every single one of the accomplishments. I feel like every experience that I’ve gained has been so unique in its own right. This is definitely up there,” she said in a press conference on Wednesday. “Being able to play the Solheim Cup is truly a dream come true. I’ve played two Junior Solheim Cups before, one in Des Moines and one in Gleneagles. But I watched and witnessed all these professional players represent Europe and the U.S. on that first tee, but that was the experience and adrenaline that I’ve seen before and to be a part of it now is really cool.”
“Honestly (Rose) was on my radar for 2024, not for this one,” admitted U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, “but she took care of winning this year, so she was able to qualify. Rose was really a great, great addition for us.”
Rose Zhang of Team USA plays a shot during practice prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 20, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Zhang left Stanford after a stellar two years in college golf and was still taking classes when she won her professional LPGA debut at the Mizuho Americas Open in June.
“So I am currently on a leave of absence (from Stanford). I decided not to torture myself in fall quarter,” she said with her signature smile. Zhang plans to return to her schoolwork in January during the winter quarter, where she’ll be furthering her Communication studies, as well as her blossoming career.
Imagine being the top rising star in the world of golf and still choosing to not only further your education, but to do so at a place as demanding as Stanford. It speaks to her character both on and off the course.
The Irvine, California, native is the ultimate team player. Her game is nearly flawless and she meshes with any group, making her a weapon for an American side that will need some firepower against arguably the best European team ever assembled (or so says European captain Suzann Petersen). Despite her ability and match-play prowess, Zhang isn’t sweating her role for the team.
“I think whatever my place, whatever I should do is for the team, 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,” said the always humble Zhang. “So no hard feelings there. I feel like I love being on the sidelines cheering for my teammates, if that’s what I’m going to do. That’s basically what being part of a team is.”
It sounds too good to be true, right? With Zhang, it’s just simply who she is.
Spanish and European media gave a round of applause after Ciganda spoke up for the Spanish national team.
CASARES, Spain — After Spain won the soccer Women’s World Cup in August, the country’s triumph and subsequent celebrations were marred by the actions of Luis Rubiales, a former player and official who was serving as the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation and as a vice president for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Rubiales kissed a Spanish player, Jennifer Hermoso, on the lips during the award ceremony, causing a firestorm of controversy for the weeks to come. Hermoso has been adamant the kiss wasn’t consensual. Rubiales has since resigned his position and was in court earlier this week, where a judge gave him a restraining order. The former Spanish official cannot be within 200 meters (656 feet) of Hermoso and the court in Madrid is considering a criminal complaint for sexual assault and coercion.
So what does this have to do with golf? Spain’s Carlota Ciganda was asked about the incident during her press conference ahead of the 2023 Solheim Cup this week at Finca Cortesin and her answer drew a round of applause from Spanish and European media. The following quotes have been translated from Spanish to English.
“I think it was a shame what happened in the end, when Spain won the World Cup, I think we should celebrate the World Cup because in the end that is not going to happen many times,” said Ciganda. “I think that (Rubiales) was obviously wrong, he doesn’t have to act like that, especially in such a public event, when you are in front of everyone.”
“Obviously of course I support the players and when so many people agree, obviously things have happened that we may not know,” she continued. “But I think the important thing is to celebrate the World Cup, which is what everyone should be very proud of, the country we have and the great athletes there are.”
Ciganda, 33, said it’s “a dream come true” and “pleasure” to represent the European team in her home country as she makes her sixth Solheim Cup appearance this week.
“I just love playing for our team. When it comes to Solheim, it reminds me of when I used to play with Spain, like the European Team Championships. I think match play, it’s a lot of fun because you have a winner at the end of the day of the match,” said Ciganda, who boasts a 7-8-4 record in the biennial event against the United States. “So I just love playing match play, playing for the team, for your teammates, for the captain. I think that’s more fun than playing for yourself. I do love that about this week and the atmosphere that we have. I mean, the European team is always one united team and I love that.”
Despite being the lone Spaniard on the 12-player European side, the Pamplona native and resident doesn’t feel any added pressure to perform this week.
“I think more than pressure it’s just going to be excitement, adrenaline, and just fun. I’m going to embrace it and I think it’s going to be great to have all the support from Spain, from my family, lots of members from my club,” said Ciganda. “So I’m just going to try to go out there and enjoy. I know I’m going to feel nervous and I’m going to feel that adrenaline. I know I can play great golf with that, so I’m just going to enjoy and embrace every moment.”
