Current Favourites for the Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup has become quite the gold rivalry in recent years. This biannual ladies’ golf competition between the US and Europe has grown to be one of the most coveted prizes in the sport.
The Solheim Cup was named after Norwegian-American golf manufacturer Karsten Solheim who were a fundamental part of the competition’s creation when it was held in 1990 for the first time.
Like the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup is a fierce contest with the US teams having won the trophy 10 times, compared to Europe’s 8.
Europe are the current holders having drawn the latest series in Malaga in 2023.
Despite the Solheim being a contest that takes place every two years, the event has switched back to evenly numbered years to avoid clashing with the Ryder Cup which means that golf fans will be treated to another edition, just a year later.
How does the Solheim Cup work?
The Solheim Cup is played over three days and is usually comprised of fourballs on the first two days and 12 singles on the third day.
Each winner in their respective match is awarded a point for their team, with drawn matches both earning half a point.
Player qualification for each team is usually settled on a points based system, whilst the chosen captain often has a number of wildcard picks that they are able to use to their own discretion.
Overall ties are awarded in favour of the defending trophy holder, hence the Europeans retaining the trophy last year.
Recent Years
Although the US teams have won the Solheim Cup more times than their European rivals, it is Team Europe who have the better recent form having won the event in 2019 where it was held in Scotland, then again in 2021 when Ohio hosted and as already noted, the series was drawn in 2023 which means that Europe have been holders for the best part of half a decade.
One will need to go back to 2017 when the United States got the result in Iowa, following a successful outing in 2015 when it took place in Germany.
When and where is the Solheim Cup next?
It is the turn of Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia that will be the host of this year’s contest which tees off on Friday September 13th and finished on Sunday September 15th.
The Americans will be desperate to regain the trophy in what should be a well-supported event back on home soil.
What the bookies are saying
Europe
For a second year running, it will be the Norwegian Suzann Pettersen who leads Team Europe in this year’s Solheim Cup and she will be passionately cheering on her European compatriots to regain the trophy for a historical fourth time running.
Vice-captains are confirmed as Anna Nordqvist from Sweden, and English duo Mel Reid and Dame Laura Davies.
bet365 11/8 Boylesports 11/8 LiveScore Bet 11/8 Betvictor 6/5
USA
Like Team Europe, the American team retains their captain in Stacy Lewis with Paula Creamer and Brittany Linicome announced as the US’ assistant captains.
Given the home advantage, the Americans are marginal favourites and they will be very keen to take back control of the Waterford crystal trophy that is the Solheim Cup.
Bet 365 8/11 Boylesports 4/5 LiveScoreBet 8/11 Betvictor 4/5
Draw
This is often a tight event separates by just a point or two and it is therefore surprising that there has only been one tied event to date when it was held in Malaga a year ago in 2023.
Is there value in the draw?