Solheim Cup 2024 Tips: Team USA to regain the trophy

Less than 12 months on from Team Europe dramatically retaining the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Spain, this usually biennial event returns for its 19th edition at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia this week.

As always, our star golf tipster Jamie Worsley is back with his preview for how this weekend might go down and he's given us his Solheim Cup 2024 Tips. 

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

The Solheim Cup was conceived in 1990 as the ladies game sought its own version of the Ryder Cup. It was staged every two years up until 2003, when it switched to being held in odd-numbered years and again returns earlier than usual this year, as it switches back to being held in even-numbered years, to keep it on an opposite schedule to the Ryder Cup.

That very first edition was held at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club (current host of the LPGA Tournament of Champions) in Florida. There, we had two teams of just eight players competing over the three days, with Team USA coming out on top, 11 ½ - 4 ½.

The size of the teams increased to 10 in 1992 and to the 12 we have now in 1996. Barring a slight deviation from the traditional format in 2000, this best-of-28 event has preserved the format since, which mirrors that of the Ryder Cup.

Team USA dominated the event in the early years, winning four of the first five and often by large margins. However, the event has been ultra-competitive since 2000, with each team tied on 6 wins apiece, as well as one tie, over the last 13 editions.

Last five results:

• 2023 (Finca Cortesin)

Team Europe 14 – 14 Team USA (Europe retains)

• 2021 (Inverness Club)

Team Europe 15 – 13 Team USA 

• 2019 (Gleneagles)

Team Europe 14½ - 13½ Team USA

• 2017 (Des Moines Golf & Country Club)

Team USA 16½ - 11½ Team Europe

• 2015 (Golf Club St. Leon-Rot)

Team USA 14½ - 13½ Team Europe

That one tie came last year in a hugely exciting renewal at Finca Cortesin. After a dreadful start in the Friday morning foursomes, in which Team USA achieved the clean sweep 4-0, Team Europe battled back well in the fourballs to finish the day 5-3 down.

They then shared the Saturday morning foursomes to remain two behind but after an excellent 3-1 victory in the Saturday afternoon fourballs for Europe, the two teams entered the final day tied on 8 points apiece.

The Sunday singles ebbed and flowed, and the contest remained as tight as it had been since the afternoon session on Friday. Rather aptly, it fell on home favourite Carlota Ciganda to secure the point, with her 2&1 victory over Nelly Korda guaranteeing the tie and meaning the trophy would be staying in Europe for another year.

Both of the team captains from last year, Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis are back this week. As are 19 of the 24 players who fought out that 2023 edition.

FORMAT & SCHEDULE

The opposing teams will compete against one another in a series of 28 match-play matches for points (1 for a win and ½ for a tie) over the course of this three-day event.

There are three match types used: foursomes (alternate shot), fourballs (better ball) and singles.

Hitting that magic mark of 14 ½ points will ensure that the respective team wins the event outright, with 14 points enough to retain the trophy for the defending champions, as we saw with Europe last year.

The schedule is as follows:

• Friday Morning: Foursomes (4x matches)
• Friday Afternoon: Fourballs (4x matches)

• Saturday Morning: Foursomes (4x matches)
• Saturday Afternoon: Fourballs (4x matches)

• Sunday: Singles (12x matches)

THE COURSE

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club will be hosting the Solheim Cup for the first time this week, though it is no stranger to high profile team events. It staged the first Presidents Cup in 1994, then going on to host that event a further three times in 1996, 2000 and 2005. In addition to that, it also hosted the 2015 Quicken Loans National on the PGA Tour.

The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1991 and is situated on the scenic setting of Lake Manassas, with each of the last 10 holes sitting adjacent the lake. It has been tweaked several times by Kyle Phillips since the late 90s, who most recently redesigned several holes in 2022.

This par 72 layout measures in at 6706 yards and possesses 10x par 4s (362-430 yards), 4x par 5s (470-545 yards) and 4x par 3s (153-179 yards). However, those yardages will vary throughout each session.

Regularly ranking among the best courses in Virginia, this picturesque and well maintained venue begins on tree-lined, rolling terrain and has moderate elevation changes throughout. Whilst these opening holes are strong, the course really comes into its own from hole #9 onwards, with appealing views of the neighbouring Lake Manassas entering into play and delivering a reoccurring threat.

The undulating fairways are fairly narrow, with intelligently placed and eye-catching bunkers pinching many a landing area. Often placed at the angle of the dogleg, they tempt players into taking them on to give themselves a shorter approach into the average-large bentgrass greens.

The sloping and contoured putting surfaces are largely elevated, and possess many false-fronts/run-offs, some of which are pretty severe. More of that striking bunkering offers protection, with most placed towards the front of the greens. Whilst the boundaries of the short grass are also home to some thick, fescue-based rough.

As a four-time host of the Presidents Cup and now selected to host this event for the first time, it should come as no surprise that there is no shortage of risk/reward holes at RTJ Golf Club.

Both par 5s on the back nine are protected by water and the 362-yard par 4 10^th – which can play as short as 285 yards - has Lake Manassas traveling up the entire left-hand side of the hole.

The back nine is a treat all the way through but no hole stands out more than the 167-yard par 3 11^th. The hole plays downhill into an elevated peninsula green that is protected by water short, long and left. A severe false-front will likely send anything short back into Lake Manassas, with only a small pot bunker capable of holding the ball up, and with swirling winds causing havoc, we should see plenty of drama on the hole this week.

RTJ Golf Club is a seasoned host of team golf events and I’m excited to see some of the best in the women’s game tackle it for the first time this week.

THE WEATHER

The area has seen record heat and drought in prior months and that will be the theme throughout most of the week. With hot, dry conditions predicted in the days building up to the event and continuing into the first two days on Friday and Saturday.

Sunday looks to be the most challenging day, with the potential for thunderstorms and rain, whilst the previously non-existent winds could gust up to the mid-20s.

KEY STATS

• SG: Off-the-Tee
• SG: Approach/Greens-in-Regulation
• SG: Putting (bentgrass)
• Birdie or Better

It’s not a necessity to pay too much attention to stats when attempting to unravel some of the markets related to this week, due to the nature and format of the event.

That being said, it can’t be a negative and will certainly help in understanding some of the selections across the week.

Strong ball-strikers should relish what is a relatively lengthy layout and I believe those highest-quality drivers will especially like what they find in Virginia.

The putter is arguably the most important club when it comes to match play, and those players/pairings that have positive experience on bentgrass will feel most comfortable on the putting surfaces at RTJ Golf Club.

THE TEAMS

TEAM USA (Captain: STACY LEWIS)

NELLY KORDA

• Overall Solheim Cup record (Win-Loss-Half): 7 – 4 – 1
• Singles: 2 – 1 – 0 / Foursomes: 4 – 2 – 0 / Fourballs: 1 – 1 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #1

World #1 Nelly Korda will be making her fourth Solheim Cup appearance this week, having debuted on the losing side at Gleneagles in 2019. However, she did personally go through that event undefeated, winning three and halving one of her four matches.

Her record since then has been less impressive, taking four points from her last eight. Though she did strike up a good relationship with Allisen Corpuz in the foursomes last year, winning each of their two matches.

Of course, it’s been a super year for Korda, who has won six events on the LPGA in 2024, including five on the spin from the end of January – April. Her ball-striking prowess, for which she ranks 2^nd in greens-in-regulation and off-the-tee, makes her an ideal fit for RTJ Golf Club and when combined with her being the leading birdie maker and top-25 on the greens, I fully expect her to have her best Solheim Cup since that debut effort in 2019.

LILIA VU

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 1 – 3 – 0
• Singles: 1 – 0 – 0 / Foursomes: 0 – 1 – 0 / Fourballs: 0 – 2 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #2

Lilia Vu makes her second appearance in the event after debuting last year and as the world #2, it means that Team USA have each of the two best players in the world on their side.

Having said that, she struggled on debut last year, losing each of her three pairs matches with different partners and had to wait until the Sunday singles to pick up her first point, beating Madelene Sagstrom 4&3. She’ll be hoping to build on that here.

Vu does come into this in good form, having made her last seven cuts in a row and finished 2^nd in the Women’s Open on her latest start. As a strong iron player and putter, ranking 9^th in GIR and 10^th on the greens, there’s little reason why she can’t improve on last year’s performance.

LAUREN COUGHLIN

• Overall Solheim Cup record: Rookie
• Rolex Ranking: #15

Lauren Coughlin is our first rookie of the week after finishing 3^rd on the USA points list. This is the reward for a superb year for the 31-year-old, who not only won on the LPGA for the first time in the CPKC Women’s Open five starts ago but doubled up on that with a victory in the Women’s Scottish Open two starts later.

She has little to no experience of this type of team golf at any level, though as a strong and reliable ball-striker, ranking 4^th in GIR and top-25 in both approach and OTT, along with being 14^th on the greens, she has many assets that can enable her to gel with whomever she gets partnered with this week.

ALLY EWING

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 3 – 8 – 1
• Singles: 0 – 3 – 0 / Foursomes: 1 – 2 – 1 / Fourballs: 2 – 3 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #18

Ally Ewing is another player making her fourth Solheim Cup appearance in Virginia and like Korda has never tasted victory.

Her individual record is sketchy at best, and she has struggled to form solid pairings in the past. This is rather surprising considering she has a good game for match play, as shown by her 2021 victory in the LPGA Match-Play.

Ewing’s form has been good this season, missing just one cut in 15 starts and she’s been showing positive signs right across her game. It is her ball-striking that typically stands out and this is the case again this year, especially her iron play, ranking 17^th in GIR and 22^nd in approach.

ALLISEN CORPUZ

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 2 – 1 – 1
• Singles: 0 – 1 – 0 / Foursomes: 2 – 0 – 0 / Fourballs: 0 – 0 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #28

Allisen Corpuz made a taking start to her Solheim Cup career last year and currently playing her best golf of 2024, she’ll be confident of doing well again.

As mentioned, she was 2/2 with Nelly Korda in foursomes last year and I’d expect that pairing to be the foundation of the American’s foursomes this week. She again showed her ability as a team player in her one fourballs appearance, picking up a half alongside Jennifer Kupcho, recording her only defeat of the week in the singles to Maja Stark 2&1.

This performance should’ve come as no surprise as she performed excellently in the 2021 Curtis Cup – a similarly formatted amateur event between the USA and GB&I – where she picked up three points from three.

Corpuz finished 4^th on her last start in the FM Championship, the latest of a rock-solid string of results. Her form is largely engineered by her accuracy-dependent ball-striking game, as shown by her rankings of 2^nd in driving accuracy, 10^th in GIR and 16^th in approach this season, and she should make a reliable partner for anyone this week.

MEGAN KHANG

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 4 – 3 – 3
• Singles: 2 – 0 – 1 / Foursomes: 2 – 2 – 1 / Fourballs: 0 – 1 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #21

Megan Khang has proven herself to be at home in this format since debuting in 2019 and will need to play a big part if they’re to reclaim the trophy this week.

She lost each of her two foursomes matches in 2019 but hasn’t lost another since, and having won two from two alongside Lexi Thompson last year, I’d expect to see that pairing showing up in the morning sessions again.

Khang has been a touch inconsistent after her breakthrough year in 2023. However, she did finish 3^rd in the Women’s Scottish Open just three starts ago. Though her putting has been a concern, ranking 145^th, she is the second-best tee-to-green player on the LPGA and with a personality that fits the raucous, energetic nature of the event, I expect her to be one of the most valuable players for the USA this week.

ANDREA LEE

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 1 – 2 – 1
• Singles: 0 – 0 – 1 / Foursomes: 1 – 1 – 0 / Fourballs: 0 – 1 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #45

Andrea Lee has plenty of pedigree in relation to this type of event from her junior/amateur days and will be hoping to put that to good use to improve on her steady enough Solheim Cup debut last year.

She has experienced being a part of two winning Junior Solheim Cup teams (2013, 2015) and a Junior Ryder Cup (2014). Her Curtis Cup record is a decent one too, having been on the winning side in 2018, a year in which she won two points from three matches.

Lee’s ball-striking is all about precision and she combines that with a tidy short game. She perhaps lacks the explosiveness of some of the others, but her unassuming all-round quality makes her a good foursomes partner and she could be a vital cog for the US.

ROSE ZHANG

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 0 – 2 – 1
• Singles: 0 – 1- 0 / Foursomes: 0 – 0 – 0 / Fourballs: 0 – 1 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #9

Former amateur star, Rose Zhang made an inauspicious start to her Solheim Cup career last year and she will be determined to put that right here. She failed to pick up a single win at Finca Cortesin, with her only score coming when claiming a half alongside Megan Khang in fourballs.

Like Lee, she has a tonne of positive winning experience in similar events from her amateur days, having been on two winning Junior Solheim Cup teams (2017, 2019) and one Junior Ryder Cup (2018). She was also on two winning Curtis Cup sides (2021, 2022), where she picked up seven from a possible nine points, interestingly winning 2/2 alongside Allisen Corpuz in fourballs.

Zhang has been very consistent of late, making the cut across each of her last seven starts. As one of the very best iron players in the field, ranking 5^th in approach and 21^st in GIR, she has the firepower to attack these tricky putting surfaces.

ALISON LEE

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 1 – 3 – 0
• Singles: 1 – 0 – 0 / Foursomes: 0 – 1 – 0 / Fourballs: 0 – 2 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #27

Alison Lee’s positive form in the last 18 months has earned her a second stab at the Solheim Cup, following making her debut all the way back in 2015 at just 20-years-old.

She largely struggled then, losing each of her three pairs matches but did claim what turned out to be a vital point in the Sunday singles.

Like many she has some quality junior/amateur experience in this format, winning two Junior Solheim Cups (2009, 2013), two Junior Ryder Cups (2010, 2012) and took three points from five when the US won the 2014 Curtis Cup.

Whilst not quite in the same form as last year, Lee has been perfectly solid in 2024 and as a top-10 tee-to-green player, her game looks in a good enough place to be an asset to the home team this week.

JENNIFER KUPCHO

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 2 – 3 – 2
• Singles: 0 – 2 – 0 / Foursomes: 1 – 1 – 0 / Fourballs: 1 – 0 – 2
• Rolex Ranking: #49

Now for the three USA captain’s picks, starting with Jennifer Kupcho. She returns for her third Solheim Cup appearance having debuted in 2021.

She performed well on debut, taking two-and-a-half points from a possible four, striking up a strong partnership with Lizette Salas. Although, with the absence of Salas, last year proved a much tougher affair, finishing winless and picking up just the half when paired with Allisen Corpuz in Fourballs.

Kupcho has arguably been more consistent than previous years this year but has struggled to threaten the top of the leaderboard too often. However, she does have two top-6s over her last four starts and as one of the best drivers in this field, ranking 8^th this season, she should appreciate the challenge at RTJ Golf Club.

SARAH SCHMELZEL

• Overall Solheim Cup record: Rookie
• Rolex Ranking: #59

Sarah Schmelzel is the second rookie on the US team. She’s the lowest-ranked player on the side and fourth-lowest in the event overall, and with little team golf experience of note, she’s unlikely to play a huge percentage of matches.

That doesn’t mean she can’t have an impact and there’s a reason she has earned herself this captain’s pick. She comes into this having not missed a cut across her last eight starts and as a player without a real glaring weakness, she could prove a valuable playing partner.

LEXI THOMPSON

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 9 – 7 – 7
• Singles: 2 – 1 – 3 / Foursomes: 5 – 2 – 1 / Fourballs: 2 – 4 – 3
• Rolex Ranking: #41

At the other end of the experience scale, Lexi Thompson made her debut in the event in 2013 as a teenager and is a veteran of six Solheim Cups. She returns for a seventh go this year at just 29-years-old and if this is indeed her final year in the professional game, she’ll be desperate to help Team USA reclaim the trophy.

She has played the second-most matches of anyone in this year’s event, tied with Carlota Ciganda on 23 behind Anna Nordqvist on 31. Foursomes have historically been her bag, winning five of eight matches and as mentioned, she formed a strong pairing with Megan Khang last year. Meanwhile, she’s only lost one of six singles matches.

Lexi has found some consistent form in recent weeks, recording four top-20s in her last six starts. Thriving on the greens and starting to fire with the driver, I expect her experience and quality to be critical this week.

TEAM EUROPE (Captain: SUZANN PETTERSEN)

CHARLEY HULL

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 12 – 7 -3
• Singles: 2 – 3 – 1 / Foursomes: 5 – 2 – 1 / Fourballs: 5 – 2 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #12

It’s been 11 years since Charley Hull made her Solheim Cup debut as a 17-year-old, making her the youngster player to participate in the event. She returns for appearance number seven and will likely be an integral part of any success the European team may have at RTJ Golf Club.

She has an exceptional pairs record in the event, gaining 11 points from a possible 16 and has struck up a strong partnership with Emily Kristine Pedersen in recent years, with the duo winning three of their four matches together. However, they did suffer a disappointing 5&4 loss in their one foursomes match in 2023.

Among the strongest combined putters/drivers on the LPGA, Charley is a sound fit for the course and predominantly looking good on her recent starts in Europe, she looks ready to star in Virginia.

ESTHER HENSELEIT

• Overall Solheim Cup record: Rookie
• Rolex Ranking: #30

Although not recording a win, 2024 has been somewhat of a breakout year for Germany’s Esther Henseleit. Which has earned her a place on the Solheim Cup team for the first time, after she finished 2^nd on the points list.

She may not have experienced an event like this before in the pro ranks, but she did compete in the 2017 Junior Solheim Cup and has represented her home nation several times as an amateur. Therefore, she should be comfortable in this team setting.

Henseleit has finished 2^nd twice in her last three starts. The first one came in the Olympics, and she followed by finishing 2^nd in the Women’s Scottish Open next time out. Driving it better than ever, ranking 23^rd OTT, she has the ability to take on this course and as a top-15 birdie maker, her scoring power can see her make a sizeable contribution on debut.

CELINE BOUTIER

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 5 – 4 – 1
• Singles: 2 – 1 – 0 / Foursomes: 2 – 2 – 1 / Fourballs: 1 – 1 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #10

Despite not managing to maintain the level of form from last year, Celine Boutier remains the highest-ranking player on the European team, and she will be eager to vanquish the memories of a difficult 2023 Solheim Cup campaign this week.

The Frenchwoman will be making her third appearance after debuting in 2019. She was incredible that year, winning 4/4 points and clicked immediately with Georgia Hall, with the twosome collecting three points from three matches paired together.

Though they only played together once in 2021, they still got a half in that match. However, the pairing seriously struggled last year by losing both foursomes matches and combined with her singles defeat to Angel Yin, she left without a single point from her three matches.

Boutier’s form has been consistent if unspectacular this year, but she is hitting her irons well, ranking 12^th in approach. There is plenty of pride on the line this week after her last outing in the event and she’ll want to contribute effectively to keeping Team Europe’s undefeated streak running.

MAJA STARK

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 2 – 1 – 1
• Singles: 1 – 0 – 0 / Foursomes: 1 – 1 – 0 / Fourballs: 0 – 0 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #25

Maja Stark lit up the Solheim Cup with her enthusiastically infectious personality on debut last year and looks set to be a star of this event for years to come.

She lost her opening match alongside Linn Grant in the Friday foursomes in Spain but never lost another one from there. She gained redemption for that day one loss in the Saturday foursomes alongside her fellow Swede, then claimed half a point when paired with Emily Pedersen in fourballs and obtained a crucial victory against Allisen Corpuz late in the day in the Sunday singles.

Her suitability to this contest came as no surprise. She has huge experience in similar team environments from her amateur years, as a three-time winner of the European Ladies’ Team Championship (2018, 2019, 2020) representing Sweden.

Personality and mettle isn’t everything, and Stark has got the golfing game to go with it, as she showed when finishing 2^nd in the Chevron Championship earlier in the year. Much like this week, that was a course on which her strong driving ability came to the fore and with that likely to be another important asset this week, she will be key to Europe’s chances.

LINN GRANT

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 3 – 2 – 0
• Singles: 0 – 1 – 0 / Foursomes: 1 – 1 – 0 / Fourballs: 2 – 0 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #26

The fact that Linn Grant played all five matches on her Solheim Cup debut last year shows her standing among this current crop of European golfers. With current form strong and seemingly well-suited to RTJ Golf Club, expect her to feature heavily again this time around.

As mentioned, she lost her opening foursomes match when teamed with Stark, though they rectified that the following day and she built up a strong partnership in fourballs with Carlota Ciganda, winning both matches.

She played in those same Swedish teams that won the European Ladies’ Team Championship. Therefore, despite this only being her second appearance, it is not an environment that is completely alien to her.

Grant has been in good form lately, coming into this after finishing 10^th in the Women’s Open on her latest start. Ranking 5^th OTT, 35^th in GIR and 35^th on the greens, as well as 15^th in birdies or better, she is both ideally suited to the course and the competition and looks likely to be among the leading points scorers this week.

LEONA MAGUIRE

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 7 – 2 – 1
• Singles: 2 – 0 – 0 / Foursomes: 2 – 2 – 0 / Fourballs: 3 – 0 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #34

Leona Maguire has become a Solheim Cup guru since making her debut in 2021. She will need to call on those past experiences to overcome some poor recent form and aid Team Europe’s chances this week.

She has played 5/5 matches in each of the last two renewals and has claimed 7 ½ points from a possible 10 during that time. Comfortable singles victories against Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang have been accompanied by her being undefeated in the fourballs, where she has teamed up with both Charley Hull and Georgia Hall of this week’s teammates.

The foursomes is somewhat of a concern. She won both matches when teamed with Mel Reid in 2021 but in her absence last year, a new partnership with Anna Nordqvist failed to bear fruits, as they lost both matches. They’ll need to fashion a new pairing for this week.

Maguire won the Aramco Series – London earlier in the year but struggled for form thereafter, failing to hit the top-50 on her next four starts. She was a little improved when 37^th in the Women’s Open, however she didn’t build on that when just 15^th in the Women’s Irish Open and with that usually excellent putter not of the same quality as in previous years, there is a fear that this ball-striker’s course could finally find her out in this event in current form.

CARLOTA CIGANDA

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 11 – 8 – 4
• Singles: 4 – 1 – 1 / Foursomes: 2 – 2 – 1 / Fourballs: 5 – 5 – 2
• Rolex Ranking: #33

Carlota Ciganda is the second-most experienced player in this year’s edition and will take part for the seventh times in Virginia. She was the star of the show at home last year, taking 4/4 points and it will be interesting to see if she can channel that same energy for an away game.

2024 was her best ever performance in the event and the only time she’s finished with a 100% record since her 2013 debut. She’s always been sparingly used in foursomes, which I expect to continue, however, her fruitful relationship with Linn Grant in fourballs is one I’d expect to continue.

Ciganda is hitting the ball well, ranking 25^th in approach, 32^nd in GIR and top-50 OTT. Whilst she has failed to threaten the leaders too often in 2024, she does come into this following her first top-10 in over four months last time out in the FM Championship and may be a sneaky one to perform well on this layout.

MADELENE SAGSTROM

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 3 – 5 – 1
• Singles: 2 – 1 – 0 / Foursomes: 0 – 1 – 0 / Fourballs: 1 – 3 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #40

Madelene Sagstrom is the last of the automatic qualifiers this week, as she readies herself for a fourth Solheim Cup appearance, seven years on from her 2017 debut.

She’s a player who has been used lightly, with just one appearance in the foursomes over the three renewals she’s contested, no doubt due to her occasionally erratic ball-striking. Although, she does usually show up for the singles, losing for the first time last year.

Sagstrom has only played four rounds of golf once in the last two months and is showing regression with most of her game. Whilst length will be an advantage here, as will her high-quality putting, it needs to be controlled well and with her driving currently a little wayward, she’s going to need to find some major improvements to be among the top performers this week.

GEORGIA HALL

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 8 – 7 – 2
• Singles: 1 – 2 – 1 / Foursomes: 4 – 3 – 1 / Fourballs: 3 – 2 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #46

Georgia Hall is the first of Team Europe’s captain’s picks and with her form looking up in recent starts, this four-time Solheim Cup participant could be a danger to the US team’s hopes of regaining the trophy.

She made her debut in 2017 and has performed reasonably well across every element, going best when winning 4/4 points in 2019. She has formed bonds with several players over that time, with victories alongside Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist, though it was with Celine Boutier that she’d linked up best, recording three wins and a half in their first four matches together.

This relationship soured last year as they lost both foursomes matches they played together, and I’m intrigued as to whether Pettersen will give them a chance at redemption this year or go with something completely different.

Hall hasn’t missed a cut since the US Women’s Open at the start of June and has recorded six top-25s across her last eight starts. Though still not at her very best, she appears to have found something OTT lately and as a player who usually ranks high in both putting and approach, she has the skillset to handle the challenge of RTJ Golf Club.

ANNA NORDQVIST

• Overall Solheim Cup record: 15 – 13 – 3
• Singles: 3 – 2 – 3 / Foursomes: 7 – 8 – 0 / Fourballs: 5 – 3 – 0
• Rolex Ranking: #73

Anna Nordqvist takes on the role of playing vice-captain this week and though not in the greatest of form, the experience of this eight-time Solheim Cup player could be vital on and off the course.

She made her debut in 2009 and will play the event for the ninth straight renewal in Virginia. Whilst a go to in foursomes, it’s the other two variations in which she has the better record percentage wise. Indeed, she is undefeated in the singles since 2013 and picked up her only point in 2023 on that final day, beating Jennifer Kupcho 2&1.

Nordqvist’s game has declined this year, as she’s missed more cuts so far than she did in the previous four years combined. Becoming ever more reliant on the putter, her ball-striking will likely get found out by this difficult setup and combined with her poor results in Spain last year, I wouldn’t be rushing to put her out on Friday.

EMILY KRISTINE PEDERSEN

• Solheim Cup record: 5 – 6 – 1
• Singles: 1 – 2 – 0 / Foursomes: 2 – 3 – 0 / Fourballs: 2 – 1 – 1
• Rolex Ranking: #104

Emily Pedersen was a surprising and questionable selection when in poor form last year. However, she rewarded captain, Suzann Pettersen with a strong performance, claiming two-and-a-half points and though in similar, if not worse form this year, I wasn’t surprised to see her included again here.

This will be her fourth appearance after making her debut in 2017 and she’s acquitted herself well across the format. She’s been especially good in the pairs matches, forming strong bonds with numerous players, including taking two points alongside Charley Hull in 2021 and she won matches alongside both Carlota Ciganda and Madelene Sagstrom last year.

Pedersen has missed eight cuts in 21 starts in 2024 – already three more than last year – and arrives in Virginia with just two top-50s in her last 11 starts. With her erratic driving at current, it’s hard to see her replicating last year’s performance on this penal setup. Although, I also struggled to see her performing last year and it may just be a case that this format and being in a team environment brings the best out of her.

ALBANE VALENZUELA

• Overall Solheim Cup record: Rookie
• Rolex Ranking: #62

The final captain’s pick falls the way of Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela, who makes her Solheim Cup debut this week. Though with plenty of team golf experience, this rookie may just shock a few.

She represented Europe and Switzerland across several team events during her amateur career, including being on the winning teams alongside many of her teammates this week in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 editions of the Vagliano Trophy. A comparable event that pits the best of Europe against the best of GB&I.

Valenzuela ranks 13^th in approach on the LPGA this season and her form has been positive throughout the year. She’s been playing especially well in recent weeks, making six of her last eight cuts and finishing inside the top-25 on each occasion. Many of those better performances have come in higher-class fields/events, which suggests she may be able to handle the amphitheatre-like atmosphere of the Solheim Cup.

Solheim Cup Odds

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SELECTIONS

2 pts Team USA to win 15 – 13 @ 11/1

2 pts Team USA to win 15½ - 12½ @ 12/1

I anticipate another reasonably close contest this year but it’s hard to go against the quality of that US side back on home soil. They have the three highest-ranked players in the event, including the top-2 in the world and even when comparing each team’s respective rookies, they have a recent two-time LPGA winner on side with Lauren Coughlin.

Most look a good fit for the course and their top stars have shown positive form in recent weeks. This is in contrast to a few from the European side, with Leona Maguire a particular stand out.

The Irishwoman has been an integral part of the success of Team Europe in the last couple of years. However, she carries some of the worst form into this event. It goes without saying that if this format sparks her into life, it considerably improves the European’s chances, but she’d have to make some major and sudden gains with her ball-striking.

Motivation for the Americans will be massive. They haven’t held the trophy since 2019 and have lost two of their last three stateside. They’ll be more intent than ever on restoring some pride and I expect that star-studded lineup to do the business in Virginia.

2 pts Megan Khang Top USA Points Scorer @ 10/1

1 pt Megan Khang e/w (1/4 - 4 places) Top Overall Points Scorer @ 14/1

Megan Khang finished as the top points scorers in the US team last year and looks good value to do so again this week, priced joint-fifth favourite in the betting.

The first port of call in these markets is to find players who you expect to play a high percentage of the matches and having played four last year, from which she took three-and-a-half points, I’d be surprised to see her featuring less than that at RTJ Golf Club. With Lexi Thompson also finding some form, that formidable foursomes pairing from last year should be out in force again and is one the Europeans will be hoping to avoid.

Remaining undefeated across her three singles matches is another indication of how much this fiery competitor can be relied on in this event, and having shown some positive signs in Scotland three starts ago, this superb tee-to-green player was an easy selection from the US side at the prices.

2 pts Linn Grant (Top European Points Scorer) @ 6/1

1 pt Linn Grant e/w (1/4 - 4 places) Top Overall Points Scorer @ 18/1

Linn Grant was one of three Europeans to play all five matches at Finca Cortesin, alongside Emily Pedersen and Leona Maguire, on her debut last year. As comfortably the most in form of that trio, I can’t see her playing less than four and may well do all five sessions again.

When we combine that likeliness of her playing as many matches for the Europeans as anyone, with how well suited she looks to this test - due to her fabulous driving, solid putting and recently improved approach play – I strongly fancy her to be the MVP for Team Europe.

Grant won three of those five matches, forming aforementioned strong bonds with compatriot Maja Stark in foursomes and Carlota Ciganda in fourballs. Partnerships that I’d expect to continue this week. She even put up a good effort when narrowly going down to an inspired Megan Khang in the singles.

There’s little to discourage me from taking her in these markets and at the very least I’d expect to get a good run from her at RTJ Golf Club.

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