Tag: Suzann Pettersen

Should the Solheim Cup have a playoff? U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, Golf Twitter weigh in

For the first time in Solheim Cup history, the 2023 matches ended in a 14-14 tie.

Stacy Lewis sat next to LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan during the Solheim Cup’s closing ceremony in Spain and the topic of a playoff came up.

For the first time in Solheim Cup history, the matches ended in a 14-14 tie. Because Europe won in 2021, they retained the cup. While members of Team Europe carried Spanish hero Carlota Ciganda around Finca Cortesin on their shoulders, Lewis’ squad had a good cry.

Captain and commish got to talking: Should the Solheim Cup institute a playoff?

“I don’t know, I mean, it obviously would be better TV,” Lewis told the media when it was over. “It would be a better experience for the fans if there was a – whether it was a team playoff or something like that, I think that would be pretty cool.

“But if you want to stick with the history of the event and history of what the men do as well, you probably stick with retaining the Cup.

“I don’t know how I feel about that either way, to be honest.”

2023 Solheim Cup
Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen celebrates with the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares, Spain. (Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

While this was a first for the Solheim, on two different occasions the Ryder Cup has ended in a tie. In 1969, the United States retained against Great Britain, and in 1989, Europe retained at The Belfry.

After the 2003 Presidents Cup ended in a 17-17 tie in South Africa, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els went into a sudden-death playoff to determine the winner. After three holes, it was decided between captains Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player that the two teams would share the Cup.

Woods called the playoff one of his most nerve-wracking experiences in golf.

“To have two guys decide the fate of the whole team in extra holes like that, I don’t think any of the sides felt comfortable with that to begin with,” said Woods 20 years ago. “It’s just part of the captains’ agreement and part of the rules of the competition.

“But we didn’t like it. It’s a team event, not an individual event. We’re here as a team together and we’d like to decide as a team together and not on an individual basis.”

Nowadays, if the Presidents Cup ends in a 15-15 tie, the two teams will share the trophy.

In the aftermath of the Solheim, players and fans weighed in on social media. Juli Inkster, a three-time captain for Team USA, said the captains should have to play for it.

In a Golfweek Twitter poll that saw 2,513 votes cast, opinions were split on the implementation of a playoff, with 51 percent voting yes, including former Solheim Cupper Brittany Lincicome.

Here’s what other folks had to say about the event’s first tie:

2023 Solheim Cup Sunday singles results: Europe retains trophy in Spain with late heroics from Carlota Ciganda

The Solheim Cup will remain in European possession for another year.

CASARES, Spain — For the fifth time since 2002 the Solheim Cup was all square entering the final day of play, setting the stage for a grand finale on Spain’s southern coast.

After the Americans swept the first session, it’s been all Team Europe ever since as captain Suzann Pettersen’s side took eight of the next 12 points across the last three sessions to climb back into contention.

Just 12 singles matches remained in the 18th edition of the biennial bash between the Americans and Europeans, held this year at the luxurious Finca Cortesin. When past Solheim Cups had been tied entering Sunday, both the U.S. and Europe had each claimed the Cup twice.

The U.S. and Europe each won five matches and two were tied as the event ended in a 14-14 tie, meaning the Cup would be retained by Europe for another year. Here’s a breakdown of each of the 12 Sunday singles matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup.

Sunday singles results

2023 Solheim Cup Sunday singles match pairings feature high-profile showdowns

The U.S. and Europe are all tied at 8-8 with just 12 singles matches to go.

CASARES, Spain — After two days of play just 12 matches separate the champions from the heartbroken.

The final day of play at the 2023 Solheim Cup on Spain’s southern coast features the Americans and Europeans all tied at 8-8 for the fifth time since 2002 when the current format was implemented. Team Europe squared the biennial bash against the U.S. thanks to a second consecutive 3-1 session win in afternoon fourballs on Saturday.

Both U.S. captain Stacy Lewis and European captain Suzann Pettersen have made their selections for Sunday singles, which have produced some must-watch matches you won’t want to miss.

Solheim Cup: 5 things from Saturday | Captain’s picks records

Check out who’s playing who in the final 12 singles matches of the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin.

Europe claws back, future stars shining bright highlight 5 things we learned Saturday at the 2023 Solheim Cup

Miss the Solheim Cup action on Saturday? We’ve got you covered.

CASARES, Spain — Is it Sunday yet?

Some incredible golf was played in both foursomes and fourball sessions on Saturday at the 2023 Solheim Cup at the luxurious Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast, setting up for what should be a thrilling finale. After an enticing two days of play the 18th matches between the Americans and Europeans are all tied at 8-8.

Both teams came away with two points after a halved session in the morning foursomes, but in the afternoon the Europeans showed their fourball dominance once again with a second consecutive 3-1 session win at the expense of the Americans.

From future stars shining bright to a strategy battle between opposing captains, here are five things we learned from the second day of play at the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain.

2023 Solheim Cup Saturday afternoon fourball pairings feature European player’s first appearance

The Europeans carried the momentum into Saturday morning as they halved the session with the Americans.

CASARES, Spain — After a lively morning foursomes session at the 2023 Solheim Cup the pairings are set as both captains have made their picks for afternoon fourballs.

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis stayed true to her word that no player would play all five matches as she has once again rotated her lineup to include all 12 players on Day 2 at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast.

Meanwhile European captain Suzann Pettersen has once again sat a player for both sessions in the same day as Gemma Drybrugh will be well rested for Sunday singles after the Scot wasn’t selected once again. Meanwhile, Caroline Hedwall will make her first appearance this week for Team Europe alongside the Blue-and-Yellow’s playing assistant captain, Anna Nordqvist.

Europe just barely leads the U.S. in all-time fourball play, 54-51-22.

Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the fourth session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)

MEET THE TEAMS: Europe | USA

2023 Solheim Cup Saturday morning foursomes pairings

The Americans swept the morning session Friday before Europe fought back.

CASARES, Spain — Three of the four pairings that helped the United States sweep Europe in Friday morning foursomes (alternate shot) are returning for Saturday.

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis and European captain Suzann Pettersen announced their pairings for the third session of the 2023 Solheim Cup at the luxurious Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast, and on paper it’s advantage Americans.

The Red, White and Blue hold a 5-3 lead entering the second day of play after Europe fought back to win the Friday fourball session, 3-1.

Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the third session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup on Saturday morning. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)

Live coverage is on TV on Golf Channel and streaming on Peacock starting at 2 a.m. ET Friday until 1 p.m. ET.

MEET THE TEAMS: Europe | USA

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Late-day heroics pull Europe within two points at 2023 Solheim Cup

“I’m immensely proud of the way the entire team fought back in the afternoon,” said European captain Suzann Pettersen.”

It could’ve gotten ugly real fast. Instead, Team Europe holed out three shots – including only the second ace in Solheim Cup history – in the afternoon fourball session to claw their way back and secure momentum after the U.S. team’s historic morning sweep.

In fact, it looked for a moment like Europe might get a sweep themselves in the afternoon. With three of four matches extending to the 18th as sunlight dwindled, Europe managed to put up three points, and now trail the Americans 5-3 with two days left of competition.

“I have to say, I’m immensely proud of the way the entire team fought back in the afternoon,” said European captain Suzann Pettersen. “It’s not easy to stand on that tee in the afternoon knowing you’re down four after the first session. So I got to say, hat’s off to all my players, the way they fought and the way they showed their character on this Friday afternoon. I think the level of golf that was played in the afternoon was unbelievable.”

Solheim Cup: Photos

Leona Maguire, the undisputed MVP of the 2021 Cup at Inverness, chipped in on the 18th hole to secure Europe’s first full point alongside partner Georgia Hall.

“She turned around to me and said, ‘How would you have done it?’ ” said Pettersen. “And I said, ‘just the same.’ ”

Both Maguire and Hall played 36 holes at hilly Finca Cortesin but dug deep.

“It was really tough with the wind,” said Maguire. “I don’t think I ever hit as many 3-woods in my life. But every half point, every point, is really hard-earned and just really proud of the whole team for fighting back this afternoon.”

Emily Pedersen struggled early on Friday but gave the home crowd a jolt of energy with an ace on the par-3 12th and nearly a second one on the 17th.

Gemma Dryburgh of Team Europe reacts on the 12th green during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

It wasn’t long after that rookie Gemma Dryburgh chipped in from 30 yards on the 16th playing alongside Madelene Sagstrom. Rose Zhang drained a birdie putt on top to halve the hole, but it was still a building block of momentum for Pettersen’s squad.

“I loved every minute of it,” said Dryburgh. “That chip-in on 16 was the pinnacle, but I had to calm myself down for the next hole, so that was a new experience for me.”

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda waited her entire life to tee it up in a Solheim Cup in Spain, and then she had to wait all morning before Pettersen put her in the lineup. The Spaniard didn’t disappoint, teaming up with Sweden’s Linn Grant to give Europe its most decisive victory, 4 and 2.

“Carlota, I’m just trying to put a leash on this week,” said Pettersen. “I mean, she would jump off and fly if she could. So I’m really just trying to keep her grounded. She’s playing fantastic.”

History made and rookie success highlight 5 things we learned Friday at the 2023 Solheim Cup

Miss the Solheim Cup action on Friday? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know.

CASARES, Spain — There’s a difference between good matches and close matches.

The early portion of Friday afternoon’s fourball session at the 2023 Solheim Cup was decidedly full of the latter as warm temperatures and high winds sped up the greens at Finca Cortesin, which seemed to perplex players. Then a switch was flipped early on the back nine.

The Europeans made their move and put blue across the leaderboard for nearly an hour before the Americans responded in kind. In the end the continental All-Stars took the session, 3-1, and cut into the American lead. The U.S. will hold a 5-3 advantage entering Saturday morning’s foursomes matches.

From rookie success to history made and some crazy fan support, here are five things we learned from the first day of play at the 2023 Solheim Cup.

Solheim Cup players, captains explain the test provided by the hilly host, Finca Cortesin

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.

Laura Davies Q&A: Europe’s recent Solheim success, future plans and if Lexi Thompson can find her game in Spain

The winningest player in Solheim Cup history, Davies was part of every European team from 1990-2011.

Laura Davies returns to the Solheim Cup for a third time in the role of vice captain. The winningest player in the history of the biennial event with a record 25 points, Davies was part of every European team from the inaugural event in 1990 to 2011.

A 20-time winner on the LPGA, Davies owns 87 professional titles worldwide. The 59-year-old entered four LPGA events this year as well as the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, which she won in 2018.

Golfweek caught up with Davies before she heads to Spain next week to assist captain Suzann Pettersen. The event will take place on Spanish soil for the first time at Finca Corestin, Sept. 22-24. Team Europe, winners of the last two editions, has never won three in a row.

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