Bi-Annual ladies match in Spain thrills the world

The best female professional golfers in the world gathered in Spain at the weekend (22-24 September 2023) for the playing of the 18th edition of the Solheim Cup where teams of 12 from Europe and America play each other every other year in a matchplay format for the coveted crystal glass trophy.

 

On Sunday at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, where the Solheim Cup was played for the first time since 1990, thousands of golf supporters held their breath for the outcome of this year’s bi-annual match.  And, rather magically, it was a Spanish player, 33-year old Carlota Ciganda, who seized the limelight in the Sunday singles with a spectacular match against American Nelly Korda.

 

The first two days of foursomes and fourball matches resulted in a draw at 8 points for each team at the start of play on Sunday.  The final day is a special day where the full team of 12 play the course which rather incredibly often turns the score dramatically around.  And, even more importantly, the winning team from the previous Solheim Cup gets to keep the trophy if they score 14 points.  So Europe simply had to win six of the 12 matches on Sunday.  Now that is easier said than done!

 

First point for Maguire from Europe

 

However, Leona Maguire from Ireland picked up the first point for Europe with a 4&3 victory over the young Rose Zhang (America).  It was a solid start, but soon the nerves began to jangle over the slopey fairways of the Finca Cortesin course on the south coast of Spain.

 

 

America then earned some valuable points and the score was sliding in their favour.  Indeed, Europe led the way at 9 matches to 8 and then suddenly America had drawn even at 10 match points each.  In no time at all, America had taken the lead with 13 match points against Europe’s 12.

 

Europe’s team captain Suzann Pettersen was busy with her team.  Could the Norwegian rally her team to victory?  His Majesty the King of Spain, Felipe VI, was also present in the crowds keen to encourage the Spanish star Carlota Ciganda to win her match.  And that is exactly what the best female player in Spanish history did.

 

  

 

Ciganda was three up after 8 holes, leaving 25-year old Nelly Korda trailing in her wake.  But the American woke up on the back nine and got back to level after 15 holes.  The Spanish player then birdied the 16th and plopped her tee-shot next to the flag on the par-three 17th where she also holed the putt for birdie.  Nelly Korda bowed out of the Solheim Cup with a 2&1 loss.  Carlota Ciganda’s surprising victory brought the European team score to a total of 14 which was enough to win the trophy.

 

Europe had retained the Solheim Cup with a score of 14-13.  Only two players were left on the course.  American Lexi Thompson then beat Emily Pedersen by 2&1 which means the final result for 2023 was Europe 14, America 14.

 

There were celebrations all round with Europe’s triumph.  Indeed, His Majesty the King of Spain, Felipe VI was in charge of presenting the crystal glass trophy to the European Team captain Suzann Pettersen and her delighted team.

 

“It’s a dream come true”!

Suzann Pettersen, European Team Captain

 

Yes, Europe, we are delighted for you too!  Many, many congratulations!

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

 

The Solheim Cup present

Sunday Singles Results:

 

United States                                                            Europe

Megan Khang                 wins 1up                           Linn Grant

Rose Zhang                      loses 4&3                         Leona Maguire

Danielle Kang                 wins 4&2                          Charley Hull

Jennifer Kupcho             loses 2&1                          Anna Nordqvist

Andrea Lee                       halves                               Georgia Hall

Cheyenne Knight             halves                               Gemma Dryburgh

Angel Yin                          wins 2&1                          Celien Boutier

Ally Ewing                        loses 2up                          Caroline Hedwall

Lilia Vu                              wins 4&3                         Madelene Sagstrom

Allisen Corpuz                  loses 2&1                         Maja Stark

Nelly Korda                      loses 2&1                         Carlota Ciganda

Lexi Thompson                wins 2&1                          Emily Christine Pedersen

 

FINAL RESULT: UNITED STATES 14 – EUROPE 14

Europe retains the Solheim Cup trophy.

 

 

The Solheim Cup history

The Solheim Cup began in 1990.  In that time, the actual score stands at America 10 – Europe 8.  Indeed, over the last few years, this is how the Europeans have played against America:

2019  Europe 14.5, America 13.5  Gleneagles, Scotland

2021  Europe 15, America 13  Inverness Club, Ohio, USA

2023  Europe 14, America 14  Finca Cortesin, Andalucia, Spain

 

 

The Solheim Cup future

The next Solheim Cup takes place at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, USA in 2024.  The honour of hosting the Solheim Cup after that goes to Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, The Netherlands in 2026.  It will be the first time that such a huge ladies event will have been hosted in Holland.

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Moments before their victory.  Nail-biting moments for Team Europe.  CENTRE:  Team Europe is focussed on victory in Spain.  MINIS (l-r): Vice Captain for Europe, Dame Laura Davies, boasts a wealth of golfing experience in her long career; the American Solheim Cup team; Team Europe concentrating on every tiny putt; Spanish hero Carlota Ciganda.