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The Solheim Cup provided a riveting weekend display of the best women's golfers from the U.S. and Europe in their biannual competition, mirroring the men's Ryder Cup. The U.S. prevailed on American soil in Virginia to take possession of the cup for the first time since 2017. Europe won in 2019 and 2021, and the two team tied in 2023. This year's event was only a year later as the event will now be scheduled in even years while the Ryder Cup will stick with odd years after Covid pushed it in that direction.
The question now is, can we put both events together?
31-year-old Lauren Coughlin, who hadn't won a LPGA event before this year but won two between Augusta and early September, was a Solheim rookie who went 3-0-1 over the weekend, including a much-need tie in her singles round on Sunday after trailing by three strokes.
Coughlin was paired with Rose Zhang in her first match, and rookie Sarah Schmelzel in her second. She then got to team with Lexi Thompson in her 3rd match which was an interesting dynamic as Coughlin was here for her first time at age 31 and Thompson was playing her sixth Solheim at age 29.
Coughlin was unflappable all weekend, playing like a seasoned pro. The former University of Virginia golf and state resident nearly sank the decisive putt in front of her home fans. But soon after she came up just a little short, Lilia Vu finished her comeback from 2 down with two holes to play and bottomed the Solheim-clinching putt. It made the score 14-1/2 to 11-1/2 at the time. The final tally after remaining matches were conceded was 15-1/2 to 12-1/2.
Lexi (she only needs one name) basked in the glow of fan adoration all weekend after announcing earlier this year that she would stop playing full time at the end of the season. She was only 1-3 this year, but this was her sixth Solheim Cup and she was instrumental in the tie last year, and also went undefeated in two other Solheims.
Nelly also only needs one name, She lost her singles match decisively as Charley Hull (Great Britian) was on a mission and seemingly couldn't miss a shot, but it was the only blip on her radar as Korda, the world's No.1 ranked player, finished 3-1.
Two other rookies, the aforementioned Schmelzel and Zhang, were unbelievable. Zhang was 4-0 , Schmelzel 2-2.
Veteran Megan Khang was a spark plug of energy and went 3-0.
The one surprise for Europe was Sweden's Linn Grant who didn't collect a point (0-4). Grant had a comeback win earlier this year from 11 strokes down to win the DP/LET Men's and Women's cross-over event, the Scandanavian Mixed. It was her second win in that tournament. She was 3-2 in last season's Solheim
The confounding thing was how Leona McGuire only played two matches for the Europeans after winning 3 points last year. She lost in Four Balls with Georgia Hull on opening day to a red hot Korda and Khang, and didn't play again until she defeated Ally Ewing in singles on Sunday.
The next Solheim Cup will take place in 2026 at Bernardus, Netherlands in September.
The next Ryder Cup is at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York next September (2025).