The Solheim Cup: A History of Women's Golf Rivalry

The Solheim Cup, a biennial competition between the United States and Europe, stands as one of the most prestigious events in women's golf. Named after PING founder Karsten Solheim, the cup has been a symbol of international golf rivalry since its inception in 1990.

The Origins

The concept of a women's Ryder Cup-style competition was first floated by Karsten Solheim in the 1980s. Inspired by the success of the Ryder Cup, Solheim envisioned a similar event that would showcase the best women golfers from both sides of the Atlantic. With the support of the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA Tour, the Solheim Cup was born.

The Inaugural Cup

The first Solheim Cup was held at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, in 1990. The United States team, led by captain Nancy Lopez, emerged victorious in a thrilling match. The inaugural event set the stage for what would become a fierce rivalry between the two continents.

A Growing Tradition

Over the years, the Solheim Cup has grown in stature and popularity. The biennial competition has been held at some of the world's most iconic golf courses, including St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Royal County Down. The matches have been characterized by intense competition, dramatic moments, and the camaraderie among the players.

Notable Moments

The Solheim Cup has produced countless memorable moments. Some of the most iconic include:

• The 2008 Comeback: The U.S. team staged a remarkable comeback at Killeen Castle in Ireland, winning the cup by a single point after trailing by three going into the singles matches.
• Europe's Dominant Era: In the early 2000s, Europe enjoyed a period of dominance, winning four consecutive cups.
• The "Miracle at Medinah" In 2014, the U.S. team pulled off a stunning victory at Medinah Country Club, overcoming a 10-6 deficit after the foursomes and fourballs to win the cup.

The 2024 Solheim Cup

This year, the Solheim Cup is being held September 13 – 15 in the U.S. at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., near Washington D.C. There are 24 players that are competing, made up of 12 Americans and 12 Europeans. 

The captain of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team is Stacy Lewis. The U.S. team includes the top seven players in the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings – Allisen Corpuz, Lauren Coughlin, Ally Ewing, Megan Khang, Nelly Korda, Andrea Lee and Lilia Vu, and the top two players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, Alison Lee and Rose Zhang. The three captain’s picks are Jennifer Kupcho, Sarah Schmelzel and Lexi Thompson.

The captain of the European Solheim Cup Team is Suzann Pettersen. Team Europe includes the top two players in the European Solheim Cup points standings, Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit, along with the top six players in the Rolex Rankings, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Madelene Sagstrom, Maja Stark and Leona Maguire. The four captain’s picks are Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist, Emily Pedersen and Albane Valenzuela.