by Take a look at some answers to frequently asked questions about the Solheim Cup:
Is the Solheim Cup the women’s version of the Ryder Cup?
Yes. It’s a match between the United States and Europe, with 12 players on each team. They play each other over three days, in fourballs (best ball), foursomes (alternate shot) and singles.
What is the format of the Solheim Cup?
We can take this straight from our Ryder Cup 101:
Best Ball: I play my ball and you play yours. Whichever of us gets the lowest score on the hole, that’s our team score for that hole. And if we’re tied, well, that’s our score.
Alternate Shot: You and I are a team. I tee off. You hit the next shot. I hit the next one and so on until we are in the hole. We alternate tee shots, with me starting on odd holes and you hitting first on even holes. In both formats, we play match play, so the overall score is calculated per hole, not per shot. Matches last until one team has no holes left to catch up.
If we beat our opponents, whether we did it by winning one more hole than them (1 up) or by blanking them (10 and 8), it is only one point for our team. Tied matches are worth half a point for each team.
Simple is just that, one on one.
NOW, When do they play these formats?
The two teams will play four fourball matches and four foursomes matches each on the first two days (Friday and Saturday). The home team captain decides the order of the matches. They will then play 12 singles matches on the final day (Sunday). This is a total of 28 points to be won. The winner must obtain at least 14 ½ points. The caveat is that in the event of a 14-14 tie, the cup remains with the defending champion.
Has there ever been a tie?
Yes, last year, actually. Europe and the United States finished 14-14 at Finca Cortesin in Spain. Since Europe was the last champion, they retained the cup.
Why do they play the Solheim Cup two years in a row?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the men’s Ryder Cup has been moved from even to odd years. The Solheim Cup has been played on an odd-numbered schedule since 2003 (more information below). In order to align with the opposite schedule to the Ryder Cup, it was decided to play the Solheim Cup in 2023 and 2024, and then to play it in even-numbered years going forward.
Who has won the most Solheim Cups?
The United States leads the series, 10-7-1, but the Europeans won in 2019 and 2021, then retained the Cup in 2023.
Solheim Cup: Complete list of winners for each year
The Solheim Cup began in 1990. Here’s a look at which team has won each competition.
When did the Solheim Cup start?
This biennial competition began in 1990. The United States won eight of the first eleven cups, but Europe has since gone 4-2-1. As mentioned, it was originally held in even-numbered years, as the Ryder Cup was held in odd-numbered years. But after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Ryder Cup was moved to even-numbered years (pushing the matches back from 2001 to 2002). The Solheim Cup adapted, playing back-to-back in 2002 and 2003, and then sticking to odd-numbered years. When the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the 2020 Ryder Cup back to 2021, Solheim officials decided to move it back to even-numbered years. That’s why we have matches in 2023 and 2024.
Are the Solheim Cup teams the same as in 2023?
No, there was a different qualification period for the 2024 edition, allowing players to earn points from the beginning of 2023 until August 25, 2024. The captains are the same, however, as Stacy Lewis will lead Team USA and Suzann Pettersen will lead Team Europe.
Which players are on the 2024 Solheim Cup teams?
European Solheim Cup Team
Solheim Cup Player Bios and Records: Meet the 2024 European Team
Here are the bios and records of the 12 European players present during the 2024 Solheim Cup matches.
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Charley Hull, England
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Esther Henseleit, Germany
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Celine Boutier, France
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Maja Stark, Sweden
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Linn Grant, Sweden
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Leona Maguire, Ireland
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Carlota Ciganda, Spain
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Madelene Sagstrom, Sweden
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Georgia Hall, England (Captain’s Pick)
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Anna Nordqvist, Sweden (Captain’s Pick)
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Emily Kristine Pedersen, Denmark (Captain’s Pick)
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Albane Valenzuela, Switzerland (Captain’s Choice)
US Solheim Cup Team
Solheim Cup Player Bios and Records: Meet the 2024 U.S. Team
Here are the biographies and records of the 12 American players present during the 2024 Solheim Cup matches.
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Nelly Korda
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Lilia Vu
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Lauren Coughlin
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Ally Ewing
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Allisen Corpuz
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Megan Khang
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Andrea Lee
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Rose Zhang
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Alison Lee
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Sarah Schmelzel (Captain’s Choice)
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Jennifer Kupcho (Captain’s Choice)
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Lexi Thompson (Captain’s Pick)
Why is it called the Solheim Cup?
The cup is named after Karsten Solheim, who founded golf equipment manufacturer Ping and brought to life the concept of a Ryder Cup-style match for women.
Is the Solheim Cup ONLY for Americans and Europeans?
Yes. Players from other countries, regardless of their resume and world ranking, are not eligible. There is no Presidents Cup-style competition between the United States and the Internationals (players born outside of Europe). There is, however, the LPGA’s biennial International Crown, which features eight four-woman teams from the top qualifying countries around the world.
Not all players play every session?
That’s right. Four players from each team will be present at each session. The captains are responsible for determining who plays, who plays with whom, and who will cheer on their teammates. Then, when it comes to singles, everyone must play.
Where and when is the 2024 Solheim Cup?
This year’s matches will be held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, from September 13-15.
How to watch the 2024 Solheim Cup
Golf Channel, NBC and the NBC Sports app will carry the event. The TV schedule is as follows (Eastern time):
Friday September 13th
Saturday September 14
Sunday September 15
