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The post Pods, putting and personality tests: Captain Stacy Lewis outlines Solheim Cup vision appeared first on Golf.

The LPGA Tour announced on Wednesday that Stacy Lewis will be leading Team USA at the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain — which means the countdown Spain can officially begin.

Lewis, 36, brings plenty of experience to the table in the biennial event, contributing as an assistant captain in two competitions and playing in another four. But how will her version of Team USA look as she takes on the role of captain? Here’s what we learned from her first press availability following the announcement.

It’s all about the environment

First and foremost, Lewis said she wants to create an environment that is positive to set up her team for success.

“I want to create a really positive, fun environment where the girls can be successful,” Lewis said.

How does one create that environment? Lewis hinted at accommodating varying practice schedules that match the various personalities on the team, creating more downtime during the hectic week of competition, and administering personality tests to get a sense for the disposition of every team member.

“Most importantly I want these girls to have fun,” she said. “I want it to be a week that they leave there saying, ‘This was the best week of my life.'”

Pods are here to stay

The 2021 Solheim Cup featured captain Pat Hurst implementing a “pod” system to place her players into groups so that the appropriate personalities could team up during the week. That system will once again make an appearance under captain Lewis — with some tweaks.

“I’m going to keep the concept of [pods],” Lewis said. “It definitely works because I do think personality-wise it can be tough at times. But I do need to figure out a way to have some more flexibility with the pairings. It’ll be similar, but it’ll also be a little bit different.

“It kind of goes back to communicating with the players and making sure they know what to expect as far as who they could possibly play with, but I just felt like especially last year, we didn’t have a whole lot of options with our pairings as things kind of started to happen, so that’s going to be something that I kind of work on over the next couple months.”

A playing-captaincy is not out of the question

While rare these days, there are instances in which captains of team events shed the headset and call their own number to suit up (see: Tiger Woods at the 2019 Presidents Cup). At just 36 years old, and with her most recent win coming in 2020, Lewis fits the profile of someone who could be a playing captain. But while her skill-level might fit that profile, Lewis declined to provide a direct answer as to if that possibility is in play.

“I’m not going to say yes or no either way right now,” Lewis said. “If it gets to sometime next summer and my name is still on that points list and I’m in the mix and my team — if I need to build the best team possible and my name is a part of that, then I’ll do it.

“But it’s just going to be a conversation to have with my assistants,” she continued. “If they feel that that’s the right move to make for the team, because I also want to be able to be there for the girls during the event, as well. It’s not a conversation right now, but hopefully I keep playing well and it is a conversation we have to have.”

2021 Solheim Cuppers will (likely) be back

Team USA had a historically strong team heading to Toledo last fall, but all that theoretical firepower still fell short. However, Lewis is still confident most of the players from that squad are in line to make the 2023 team.

“I see the team probably looking pretty similar to Toledo,” Lewis said. “Those players are gaining more experience, and that’s what I think I didn’t realize at Toledo until we were sitting at opening ceremonies was how little experience we really had as a team.”

PGA Tour support is welcome

Bubba Watson generated tons of buzz in Toledo as he was on hand as an unofficial assistant captain for Pat Hurst’s squad. Lewis mentioned she’d welcome the support of men’s players once again, but the team room will be more tight-knit.

“I’d like to get [men’s players involved] as far as having them send videos to the girls and let the girls know that they’re supporting them and things like that,” Lewis said. “Whether they need to be there in the team room, I don’t know about because I really want the team to be those girls, their caddies, their significant others — that’s our team. And I really want them to take ownership of it. But I would love the support of the PGA Tour players.”

Putting will be at a premium

While Team USA has lost the last two Solheim Cups, they’ve still been in it until the very end. In both cases, the Cup has gone to the side that makes more pressure-packed putts. For that reason Lewis is looking for players who can come up clutch in nervy situations.

“It comes down to making putts,” Lewis said. “We didn’t do enough of that at Inverness. That’s what I talked about, being in these last groups and learning how to handle the pressure and the emotions of it. That’s really what the putting comes down to.”

Team USA needs winners

How do you learn how to make putts under the gun? You do it over and over again. And the only way to feel that pressure is to be in contention. Lewis wants players who have won before and know how to get the ball in the hole in big moments.

“You look at your best clutch putters over time, they have a lot of experience winning golf tournaments,” Lewis said. “They’re putting themselves in contention. They’re giving themselves opportunities to win. I look at last year’s European team, and as a team, they had a lot of wins. Whether it be LPGA or LET, they had won a lot more golf tournaments than our team. A lot can be said about having that experience and knowing what that feels like.”

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Stacy Lewis is among the most decorated American players in women’s golf of her generation, and soon, she’ll have a chance to add to that legacy. On Wednesday, Lewis was named as the Solheim Cup captain for Team USA in the upcoming competition to be held in Andalucía, Spain.

Lewis will lead the American side at Finca Cortesín Golf Club as Team USA looks to win the match for the first time since 2017. The 36-year-old has served as an assistant captain for the last two Solheim Cups.

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“To be named captain for the USA Solheim Cup Team is an incredible honor and I’m beyond grateful to the Committee for choosing me,” Lewis said. “I have so many amazing memories from my years on the team and the two opportunities I’ve had to work alongside the team. I absolutely love the Solheim Cup and I want 2023 to be as great an experience for my team as my years wearing Red, White and Blue have been for me.”

The two-time major champ follows in the footsteps of Pat Hurst, who led the Red, White and Blue at Inverness Club last summer as Team USA fell 15-13 to the European side.

Lewis appeared in four Solheim Cups as a player (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and two as an assistant captain (2019, 2021). Her career Solheim Cup record in 16 matches sits at 5–10–1.

“I have learned so much from the past captains on the Solheim Cup Committee, and the fact that they chose me to lead this team is one of the proudest moments of my career,” she said. “I’m more than ready to step into this role.”

The 2023 Solheim Cup is scheduled to be played in Andalucía, Spain from Sept. 18-24, 2023.

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Suzann Pettersen’s playing career ended in storybook fashion at the 2019 Solheim Cup as she holed the clinching putt for Team Europe to ride off into the sunset on the top of the sport. Soon, she’ll have a chance to add to her Solheim Cup legacy — this time as a captain.

Pettersen will lead Team Europe in 2023 at Finca Cortesín Golf Club as they look to win the Solheim Cup for the third time in a row. The 40-year-old was announced as Team Europe’s captain during a press conference in Spain on Monday.

“I am simply thrilled to be named Solheim Cup captain,” Pettersen said. “This is the biggest honor of my career.”

The two-time major champ follows in the footsteps of Catriona Matthew, who became the first European captain to win the Solheim Cup twice after steering Team Europe to victory earlier this year at Inverness Club. Pettersen was a member of Matthew’s first victorious team at Gleneagles, winning two points for Team Europe in Scotland.

Pettersen made nine appearances in the Solheim Cup as a player, and four times came out on the winning side. Her career Solheim Cup record in 36 matches sits at 18-12-6.

“My best golfing memories are from the Solheim Cup,” she said. “You are out there with your teammates, your friends, and you all work for one goal. You fight for your friends and you share incredibly precious moments.”

Team USA has not yet named its next captain.

The 2023 Solheim Cup is scheduled to be played in Andalucía, Spain from Sept. 18-24, 2023.

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Last week’s Solheim Cup was everything we could’ve hoped for as Team Europe delivered a spirited 15-13 win on foreign soil to take the Cup back across the pond. And while the event set a record with 130,000 fans for the week, most people who watched it did so via the broadcast.

I watched a bit of the broadcast in the media center while writing, but I tried my best to spend as much time as possible on the course. While I trekked about Inverness, I made sure to keep an eye out for anything interesting that couldn’t be seen on TV.

Here are some of the things that I saw, heard and learned at the Solheim Cup.

1. Flag bearers

For each match at Inverness, there was a group of flag bearers following along with red and blue flags. Once shots were hit into the fairway, rough, bunker, etc., they would walk over and hold the corresponding flag in the air. It might seem trivial, but it made the live viewing experience MUCH easier. No more guesswork on whose ball was whose, or where a ball was when it was not visible from outside the ropes. This should be standard at every golf tournament.

2. Growing the game

Like most tournaments, the Solheim Cup had plenty of young fans seeking autographs from the stars of the show. However, unlike many events, there likely weren’t many fans who went home empty handed. Every time a player came off the 18th green, they took time to sign autographs and take pictures with adoring fans. Lexi Thompson was particularly popular among the masses, and she took time to make sure she signed just about every item shoved her way. And the look on little girl’s faces when they got that signature? Priceless. These women were great ambassadors to the game.

3. “You want me to sign what?”

Speaking of autographs, there were a few well-served patrons who had some interesting items to get signed. One fan made it his mission to get as many players as possible to sign his beer can. When I saw him coaxing Austin Ernst into giving her John Hancock on the empty vessel, he had quite the collection going. But worry not, he made sure not to allow his mission to interfere with the kiddos surrounding him. “Make sure you get to all the kids first, Austin. I’m just being silly.” Well done, sir.

4. 9th green

The 9th hole at Inverness (18 for member play) might be my favorite hole I’ve ever seen. The tee shot is visually daunting, and if you don’t find the fairway, it makes the approach extremely difficult. Although the approach shot will be short, the green complex is guarded by deep bunkers and a steep runoff to the right. The contours of a golf course are tough to discern on TV, and the 9th is a prime example of that. TV does not do justice to this Donald Ross gem.

5. Buzz in the air

I’ve been a part of plenty electric sporting events over the years, but it’s not hyperbole when I say the 1st tee of the Solheim Cup was the coolest experience of the bunch. Maybe it’s the fact that noise like that isn’t common on the golf course, but I was ready to run through a brick wall on my walk back to the media center after the opening tee shots Saturday morning. Team golf atmospheres are the best, and Inverness did it right. Well done, Toledo.

6. Solheim struggles

Danielle Kang didn’t have her best stuff in Toledo, evidenced by her 1-3-0 record, and after her Saturday foursome loss, she was out on the range grinding through a bag of balls. Being the intrepid reporter that I am, I wandered out to watch and try to see if I could figure out what she was ironing out. I kept my distance and took some videos from the shade while she and her caddie worked. But when Kang noticed me in the distance, she instructed her caddie to ask me to leave, so I took the opportunity to go cool off in the media center. We were both just trying to do our jobs, and sometimes that puts us at odds. Here’s to hoping she has a strong finish to the season.

7. Whispers in the ear

Many fans and media members walked around with chunky earpieces around their necks or in their ears all week. These contraptions were synced up with the broadcast audio, so it was easy to get a sense for what was happening throughout the course without having to pull out your phone every 15 minutes. Another bonus was that they had no delay, so if you were watching the action in front of you, there was also a good chance you had Terry Gannon and Judy Rankin in your ear commentating along to it. These radios are not a new invention, but this was my first experience with them. Count me as a big fan.

8. Prime viewing

Inverness went through a major renovation/restoration throughout the last decade, and among the changes they made was to remove many trees around the property. This gave the course some spectacular views, but it also made for a much more spectator-friendly course. Plenty of holes visible from from other holes, and if you find the right spot, you can watch a lot of golf without ever having to move. Prime example — the hill between 16 fairway and 17 green. Plop yourself there and you can see 15 green, 16 tee box and 17 fairway and green. It was the perfect spot to grab a seat and rest the legs for a bit without missing much.

9. Get loud!

Marshals usually tote around signs that say “Quiet please” to hold up while players hit. At the Solheim Cup, those signs were a little different. Instead, they read “Get loud!” Whenever there was a good shot or a big putt, the marshals would use these signs as a reminder for the crowds to bring the energy.

10. Monday hype

After a strong performance on Sunday, Team USA was a team on a mission for the singles matches. And the crowd responded in kind. The first tee shots on Friday were electric, and the atmosphere Monday afternoon might’ve matched it. It was standing room only in the bleachers, and fans were at least five deep on the ropes down either side of the fairway. Hard to beat that kind of excitement.

11. Future stars

Among the hundreds of thousands in the crowd were the members of the Junior Solheim Cup teams, who competed earlier in the week at nearby Sylvania Country Club. Those lucky juniors got prime seats on the 1st tee box, and inside-the-ropes access throughout the week. The young Europeans were among the only fans the ladies in blue had on site, but when that winning putt dropped, they screamed the cheers of an entire continent.

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The 2021 Solheim Cup is now in the books, but none of this year’s players have cracked the top five in all-time points for their respective squads (yet). Here are the all-time leading point-scorers for each side in Solheim Cup history.

TEAM USA

Cristie Kerr (21 points)

Kerr is the greatest fourball player in Solheim Cup history, posting an 11-5-1 record in the format between 2002 and 2017, a major contributor to her 18-14-6 overall record.

Paula Creamer (19.5 points)

Creamer’s high point total stands out because of her sparkling win percentage, going 17-9-5 in seven cups between 2005 and 2017.

Juli Inkster (18.5 points)

Inkster captained the U.S. Solheim Cup teams three events in a row from 2015-2019. But before that she was a leader on nine teams as a player ranging from 1992 to 2011, earning 18.5 points in 34 matches — including a sparkling 6-1 singles record.

Meg Mallon (16.5 points)

Mallon played in eight Solheim Cups between 1992 and 2005, earning 16.5 points in 29 matches. Her 13-9-7 record is particularly notable because those seven ties are tied with Inkster for the all-time record.

Dottie Pepper (14 points)

The most impressive part of Pepper’s Solheim Cup record is that she earned those 14 points in just 20 matches, logging a record of 13-5-2 — including a 5-1 singles record.

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TEAM EUROPE

Laura Davies (25 points)

Davies has played in an all-time record 12 Solheim Cups and has earned an all-time record 25 points in the process, going 22-18-6 between 1990 and 2011.

Annika Sorenstam (24 points)

Sorenstam unsurprisingly picked off Solheim Cup matches at an impressively high rate, going 22-11-4 — including an incredible 11-3-1 in foursomes.

Catriona Matthew (22 points)

Matthew, a Scottish golf legend, is 6-2-1 in singles and 18-11-8 overall in nine Solheim Cups between 1998 and 2017.

Suzann Pettersen (21 points)

The Norwegian etched herself in Solheim Cup lore with a dramatic winning putt at the 2019 Cup — and now returns as an assistant captain for Team Europe.

Sophie Gustafson (16 points)

Gustafson was a reliable presence on Solheim Cup teams from 1998 to 2011, going 13-12-6 — highlighted by a sparkling 7-1-4 fourball record.

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Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us @golf_com. This week, we discuss the Europeans’ Solheim Cup win, Ryder Cup captain’s picks, PGA Tour stars coming to Netflix and more.

1. The 17th Solheim Cup finished on Monday at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, with Europe beating the U.S. 15-13 to win its second straight meeting and fourth in the last six. The Americans were stronger on paper — several Europeans even said so — yet scored just half a point in the event’s opening session and could never claw back. What went wrong for the U.S.? Or, what went right for Europe? And who was the MVP?

Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): The European players themselves said that the absence of their own fans created an even greater sense of solidarity for their team. That’s probably true. But it was also about players peaking at the right time and being unleashed appropriately. Witness Leona Maguire, the MVP, set loose in all five matches. She was ferocious. On a side note: is there a more worrisome sign for a team than being considered stronger on paper? It would not be surprising to see a repeat of this result at Whistling Straits later this month.

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): While the players deserve their due, Catriona Matthew out-captained Pat Hurst. Matthew rode the hot hand, leaning on Solheim Cup rookie Leona Maguire, and it paid off with 4.5 points. Hurst on the other hand had some head-scratchers, including her decision to play world No. 1 Nelly Korda in two foursomes matches, effectively limiting the number of shots her best player could hit, while sitting her in the all-important Sunday four-ball. This Cup was won on the headsets.

Michael Bamberger, senior writer: Incisive analysis, Zephyr Melton! This is much less insightful, but Inverness, surprisingly, played firm, some of the bounces were quirky, and it really required shot-making. I saw far more European shot-making than American shot-making. That is, shaping shots, punching shots, using different clubs from around the greens. But there was outstanding play on both sides. The Americans got outplayed. It also sounds like they they got out-lineuped, per Zephyr.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): Sixteen of 28 matches came down to the 18th hole, and Team USA simply didn’t win enough of those. Team match play comes down to making the little putts at big times and Europe thrived in that department. As for MVP? Leona Maguire, easily. She punctuated an undefeated week with a 5-and-4 drubbing of would-be rookie rival Jennifer Kupcho.

2. The first day of the Solheim Cup came with a minor rules controversy, when Nelly Korda’s eagle try slid past the hole on the 13th and settled on the lip of the cup. One of her opponents, Madelene Sagstrom, walked over and picked up the ball, conceding the tap-in birdie. But a rules official said Sagstrom had not allowed 10 seconds to pass to determine if the ball had stopped moving before picking it up, so Korda’s putt was considered holed, and the Americans won the hole and later the match 1 up. The incident made the rest of the match a tense one and few pleasantries were exchanged afterward. Korda said the rules official said they had no say in the matter, and the decision was a unilateral one from the rules committee. “I wasn’t following the rules about leaving the ball for 10 seconds, but I do believe in integrity and honor of the game of golf, and I would never pick up a putt that had a chance to go in,” Sagstrom said. What’s your opinion on the biggest rules drama of the week? Was the right decision made?

Sens: It was a bummer of an incident but the right decision. No doubt Sagstrom had no ill intent but she said it herself: she broke the rules. In that instance, it was not her place to decide whether the putt was going to drop before the allotted 10 seconds.

Melton: It was by the letter of the law, but it was disappointing to see a rules controversy dominate the storylines in a week when there was some great golf. Madelene will surely never make that mistake again.

Dethier: Perhaps it’s better that Team USA didn’t ultimately win the Cup by a single point, because then we’d really keep hearing about this. As it is, the strange quirks of golf rules remain. This was enforced correctly, if unfortunately — and perhaps unnecessarily, but without being on that green it’s tough to say for sure.

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Bamberger: I agree with all of that. There are a hundred ways to parse it, but the most fundamental one is the issue of fairness. Korda had the right to 10 seconds, and, via Sagstrom’s actions, didn’t get them.

3. Patrick Cantlay continued his hot play and won the Tour Championship — and $15 million bonus — on Sunday at East Lake. His FedEx Cup finale capped a three-week stretch that also featured a T11 and win at the BMW Championship. Few golfers have surged over the last month like Cantlay. If you are drafting players for next season, where are you picking Cantlay?

Sens: In my top five with Rahm, Morikawa, Spieth and Thomas,

Melton: He’s definitely in the top five. His consistency is incredible.

Dethier: All the unbeatable golfers are looking beatable, so at risk of being prisoner of the moment I’d take Cantlay just behind Rahm and Xander Schauffele as the Tour stalwarts of the 2022 season. But ask me again in two months and I’m sure I’ll have a different answer.

Bamberger: Very, very, very hard to repeat. Very hard to keep a thing going. Not in my top five. But Jordan Spieth is.

4. The six automatic qualifiers for the U.S. Ryder Cup team are now set with Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Cantlay. Assuming players 7-9 in the standings make the team — Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth — that leaves three more options for captain Steve Stricker to pick on Wednesday. Who would you select? [Editor’s note: Koepka WD’d from the Tour Championship with a wrist injury, and for this exercise we will assume he is healthy enough to play at Whistling Straits.]

Sens: Kevin Na, Sam Burns and Daniel Berger. Different styles, but all share that bulldog trait that makes me think they’d be great teammates and thrive in the atmosphere.

Melton: Harris English, Will Zalatoris, Scottie Scheffler. English is a fringe top-10 player in the world at the moment (11th) and for the other two, I’d like to see some new blood in the mix. Plus I’m a sucker for my fellow Texans.

Dethier: Harris English, Daniel Berger and Kevin Na. English for the steady ball-striking. Berger because he’s a gamer. Na because he seems like a pain in the ass to play against, regardless of golf course or setting.

Bamberger: Na, English, Scheffler. And in that order. Not that order matters.

5. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan met with the media last week and said any fans that breach the Tour’s code of conduct policy are subject to expulsion from the tournament. He also made it clear when specifically asked about fans yelling “Brooksy” at DeChambeau — those spectators will be kicked out. “Is that respectful or disrespectful? That has been going on for an extended period of time,” he said. “To me, at this point, it’s disrespectful, and that kind of behavior we’re not going to tolerate going forward.” What do you think of Monahan’s decision?

Sens: The better solution would be for Bryson to ignore the yahoos. The people yelling Brooksy are knuckleheads, but the term they’re using is not a slur. Can you imagine what Charlie Sifford would have to say about all this?

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Melton: Seems like too little, too late. The genie is out of the bottle on this one, and the heckling of players — DeChambeau and others — will continue.

Dethier: It seems like it worked at the Tour Championship, based on reporting from East Lake. In certain situations, crowd participation and occasional heckling is a fun and integral part of pro golf, but unoriginal heckling should be punished for its inanity. I think we’re at a net gain here, even if the rule seems lame on its face.

Bamberger: I think Monahan has it right. I suggest a new campaign, with Mike Myers as Austin Powers, saying just two words: “Oh, behave.” If golf becomes too much like other sports it will shoot itself in the foot. It’s different. That’s what makes it special.

6. Our Dylan Dethier broke the news of Netflix teaming with the PGA Tour to launch a docuseries offering an inside look at life on Tour, much like Netflix’s Uber-popular Formula 1 show “Drive to Survive.” Production is set to begin in the 2021-22 season with some big-time players potentially signing on. But what has made “Drive to Survive” take off is the behind-the-scenes buy in from Formula 1 and the drivers. Will the PGA Tour and/or the players allow the same access to make such a show thrive? And a bonus question: if you are the head of casting, who is the first pro you are desperately pitching to join?

Sens: If the lives of Tour pros are as most Tour pros describe them, I don’t think we’re going to be keeping up with the Kardashians here in the way of eccentricities, scandal or surprise. That said, if you really were granted unvarnished access (good luck with that for any of the big names) Tiger, of course. Right?

Melton: I’m not sold on the Tour and agents and players and managers giving up the access needed. I fear it will turn into inauthentic sponsored content. As for a player to join the cast, it’s gotta be Harry Higgs. He’s one of the most compelling characters in golf.

Dethier: It’s been said a hundred times already, but the key to the show’s success will be access and authenticity. Living the daily life of a pro golfer might be mostly monotonous, but when it’s condensed into hour-long form, there’s plenty of juice there. As a dark horse pick, gimme the inside life of Dustin Johnson. Instant TV star.

Bamberger: Dylan typed for me, right down to Dustin Johnson. It could be great, but the obstacles are huge.

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A splendid Solheim Cup is in the books — though more splendid for one team than the other. How to grade Team USA? Every player had at least one point, and no player had more than 2.5. Team Europe, by contrast, had five players with 2.5 points or more, leaning on its in-form players for a second consecutive Cup win.

It all added up to a 15-13 victory for Catriona Matthew’s European side. But how’d the individuals fare in their respective matches? Here’s the breakdown, player by player.

TEAM USA

12. Danielle Kang (1-3-0)

Credit to Kang for wanting the rock — she was first off in the first foursomes match of the week and last off in the final singles match. But this wasn’t her week, and even after Team Europe had retained the Cup she was left as the final match on the course, where she lost a rollercoaster session 1 down despite a bomb birdie putt at No. 18.

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11. Jessica Korda (1-2-0)

It was heartening to see Korda rally back for a victory in Monday singles, but a little disappointing to see one of Team USA’s best players only twice in the team portion. Splitting up Team Korda after just one match felt like a letdown.

10. Mina Harigae (1-2-0)

The captain’s pick and Solheim Cup rookie earned her first point alongside Yealimi Noh on Sunday afternoon but ran out of gas in a 5-and-4 defeat at the hands of Celine Boutier.

9. Austin Ernst (1-2-1)

Ernst was in position to steal a crucial point on Monday but her birdie putt went begging at No. 18, so she settled for a half-point.

8. Ally Ewing (1-2-1)

Ewing went 1-1 with Nelly Korda as her partner, earned another half-point with Megan Khang and lost to Madelene Sagstrom on Monday in singles.

7. Lexi Thompson (1-2-1)

Thompson played a spirited final match against Anna Nordqvist and poured in a number of clutch putts, earning a satisfying tie to finish off an uneven week.

6. Megan Khang (1-1-1)

Khang had never won a Solheim Cup match outright until Monday singles, when she blitzed Sophia Popov to a 6-up lead through eight holes, more than enough cushion to earn a win.

5. Brittany Altomare (2-2-0)

Altomare likely played better than her record suggests, losing two Day 1 matches on the 18th hole before rallying for one point on each Sunday and Monday, including birdies on four of her final five holes in singles to win 2 and 1.

4. Nelly Korda (2-2-0)

The world No. 1 looked at different points to be energized, deflated, locked in, burdened and the absolute best player on property. That tallied up, fittingly, to a .500 record and a middling week with decidedly bright spots.

3. Yealimi Noh (2-1-0)

One bright spot was more of the world being introduced to Yealimi Noh, a Solheim Cup rookie who made the most of her three matches — even if Mel Reid did bail her out with a three-putt at No. 18 on Monday.

2. Lizette Salas (2-1-1)

Salas seems to absolutely thrive in the spotlight and there’s an alternate reality where she carried Team USA to a miracle victory with a late charge Monday. Instead her final two putts went begging and she ended up on the wrong side of a 1-down defeat to Matilda Castren.

1. Jennifer Kupcho (2-1-1)

Kupcho is a Solheim Cup rookie but was Team USA’s star of the week — and she and Salas played the match of the week against Mel Reid and Leona Maguire on Sunday. But things took a turn when she ran into buzzsaw Maguire on Monday and lost 5 and 4.

TEAM EUROPE

12. Sophia Popov (0-3-0)

Twenty-three of the 24 Solheim Cuppers earned at least one point — which unfortunately left Popov in the awkward position of being winless on the winning side. We’re sure the champagne tasted properly satisfying regardless.

11. Carlota Ciganda (1-2-0)

Ciganda won 1 up, lost 1 up and lost her singles match 2 and 1. In other words, she had a tense three matches.

10. Madelene Sagstrom (1-2-0)

Sagstrom rallied from an early deficit on Monday for a 3-and-2 victory over Ally Ewing that set the tone for Team Europe’s finishing touch.

9. Georgia Hall (1-2-1)

Losing to Nelly Korda 1 up is nothing to be ashamed of. Hall acquitted herself well but came up on the wrong side of a couple close matches.

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8. Celine Boutier (1-1-1)

Boutier blitzed Mina Harigae in a pivotal Monday match, ultimately finishing her off 5 and 4.

7. Nanna Koerstz Madsen (1-1-1)

Some ties feel like wins, and that was the case with Madsen’s split with Austin Ernst on Monday, which required several clutch par putts down the stretch — and some bullets dodged from her opponent.

6. Charley Hull (2-2-0)

Hull is just 25 but now has an incredible 12.5 career Solheim Cup points in five events, which means she’s halfway to Laura Davies’ all-time record of 25.

5. Mel Reid (2-1-1)

Reid proved a splendid partner for Leona Maguire as the pair went 2-0-1 together — and she nearly ended the week undefeated but missed a four-footer at No. 18 in singles. Reid is the heavy favorite for MVP of the celebration, though.

4. Anna Nordqvist (2-1-1)

Nordqvist and partner Matilda Castren set the tone by earning two victories on Saturday to help Europe jump out to a lead. Then she gritted out a hard-fought tie against Lexi Thompson in singles.

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3. Emily Kristine Pedersen (3-1-0)

Pedersen finished off the entire Cup with a birdie and a putter drop to beat Danielle Kang, sending Team Europe officially into celebratory mode.

2. Matilda Castren (3-1-0)

In addition to teaming up with Nordqvist, Castren leapt into Solheim Cup lore with an up-and-down from a fried egg lie on 18 to earn the clinching point for Team Europe.

1. Leona Maguire (4-0-1)

The clear MVP of the Solheim Cup played every session and went undefeated, earning immediate star status. Maguire entered as the first Irishwoman to ever play in the competition. She finished the week with a 5-and-4 trouncing of Jennifer Kupcho to put the finishing touches on a dominant week.

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Europe defended its Solheim Cup title and did so on American soil, beating the U.S. 15-13 on Monday at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. The Americans hold the all-time Solheim Cup edge 10-7, but Europe has now won four of the last six.

Matilda Castren drained the Cup-retaining putt for Europe when she got up and down for par on the 18th to beat Lizette Salas 1 up and give Europe 14 points. That kicked off a mini-party for the European side, but the full-blown celebration had to wait until Emily Pedersen birdied the last to beat Danielle Kang 1 up in the final match of the day.

Check out photos of the European team’s victorious celebration below. As for the Americans, they need to wait two more years for their next chance at a win. The next Solheim Cup is 2023 in Spain.

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TOLEDO, Ohio — Not even the gusto of tens of thousands clad in red, white and blue could will Team USA back from the brink. Instead, it was the cheers of just 40 people — outfitted in European blue and yellow — that echoed through Inverness Club Monday evening as Team Europe claimed a 15-13 victory in the Solheim Cup.

The win marks the second in a row for the Europeans and the fourth out of the last six Solheim Cups. In an event once dominated by the Americans, Team Europe has placed a stranglehold on the event over the last decade.

“It’s not really sunk in yet,” European captain Catriona Matthew said. “Closing out on 18 was just dream-come-true stuff.”

The demeanor of the Americans and the Europeans coming into the final day of the Solheim Cup was a study in contrast.

Team USA’s 12, surrounded by friends, family and a host of adoring fans, were loose and relaxed as they prepared for their singles matches.

Lexi Thompson pumped up the crowd as she teed off, and Lizette Salas greeted her family behind the practice tee and signed autographs for fans. Jessica Korda and Megan Khang hit the “Dougie” as music was pumped into the teeing ground, while Nelly Korda chatted with her entourage on the putting green.

The dozen from Europe, meanwhile, were all business.

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Anna Nordqvist stared inscrutably down the fairway as she was introduced to the masses in the first match. Sophia Popov locked in with her earbuds snug in place as she rolled balls end over end on the putting green. Charley Hull kept a steely glare as she loosened up, stopping only to coax her golden locks into a long braid.

That all-business attitude carried over to the golf course. Nordqvist, matched up in the leadoff match with American stalwart Lexi Thompson, never allowed her opponent to gain any momentum. The duo stayed deadlocked throughout, and by the time the pair traded 18th-hole pars for a half point each, a European win seemed likely.

But it wasn’t yet guaranteed. Time and time again, the masses on site pleaded for a spark; anything to rejuvenate the energy that the Europeans snatched away. But each time the Americans looked to gather momentum, an Irishwoman, or a Swede, or a Finn, would answer back.

Leona Maguire proved herself to be a match-play ace in her Solheim Cup debut. Appearing in all five sessions, the 26-year-old went 4-0-1, punctuated by a 5&4 beatdown of fellow rookie Jennifer Kupcho, earning Europe their first point of the singles session.

“I’ve given it my absolute all this week,” Maguire said. “I couldn’t have given it anything more. I couldn’t have asked for a better week.”

As Maguire joined the European delegation on the sidelines, the “USA!” chants changed in tenor. The cries began to feel compulsory rather than the expression of uncontainable pride they’d represented all week, and they petered out quicker.

Madelene Sagstrom earned another critical point for her side early during the session. In her match against Ally Ewing, the Swede battled back from an early deficit to take firm control on the back nine. She won three straight holes from 14-16 to close out the match 3&2.

“I played some really good golf today,” she said. “Ally did, too, so we had a really good game, but I’m really happy to be on the winning side.”

Despite that early momentum snatched by the ladies in blue, there was, for a fleeting moment, a small opening that could have allowed the U.S. to win back the cup. World No. 1 Nelly Korda defeated Georgia Hall, and behind her there was a sea of red on the board.

Whispers started in the gallery mapping out scenarios that would allow the Cup to stay on home soil.

If Ernst can flip her match, and Khang hangs on, and Salas can scratch out a half, that’s 14.5 — it’s not over! We can still win this thing.

A group of star-spangled women behind the 18th green started to chant.

I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!

Soon, more joined in, and the cheers grew in vigor. The Yankees suddenly had life. The scoreboard grew with red by the minute, and momentum began to favor the home team.

But just as a rookie set the tone early for the Euros, it was another rookie who slammed that window of opportunity shut. This time, Matilda Castren was the hero.

The rookie was facing down scrappy Lizette Salas, and though her counterpart dwarfed her in experience, Castren never flinched. She never led by more than a 1-up margin, but she also never trailed. Salas kicked and clawed to extend the match to the 18th hole, but when Castren’s 10-footer for par dropped to clinch the match, she also assured that the Cup would make the trip back to Europe.

“It’s hard to put it into words right now. I think I’m still shaking,” Castren said. “I was looking at the board and I knew it was going to be an important putt and I wanted to make it, and me and Mikey read it and read it perfectly and it went in. I’m just so happy right now.”

There was still technically golf to be played. The final match went down to No. 18, where Danielle Kang was battling to narrow the margin — but Emily Kristine Pedersen came up with birdie on 18. When the putt dropped to put the finishing touches on the 15-13 victory, the only sound at Inverness came from the Euros, who will own the Cup for two more years.

Ole Ole Ole Ole! Oleee! Oleeee!

Four years ago, there was jubilation in Iowa at the Cup’s conclusion. This time around, bubbly showered down, the Americans hung their heads, and the fans flooded for the exits. Forty remained, clad in blue and yellow and champagne, chanting into the night.

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Just two months ago, Matilda Castren was far from eligible for the European Solheim Cup team. As a non-member of the Ladies European Tour, she needed to win an event to earn membership, which would then unlock Solheim Cup eligibility.

Time was ticking, but Castren found a solution: She went to her native Finland for the Gant Ladies Open and won the 54-hole event, gaining LET membership and Solheim Cup eligibility in the process.

Fast forward two months to Monday at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, and Castren came up big again in a clutch moment again, this time clinching the Solheim Cup for Europe. The 26-year-old rolled in a tricky par save on the 18th to beat Lizette Salas 1 up and give Europe the 14 points it needed to retain the Cup.

“It’s hard to put it into words right now. I think I’m still shaking,” Castren said. “I was looking at the board and I knew it was going to be an important putt and I wanted to make it, and me and Mikey read it and read it perfectly and it went in. I’m just so happy right now.”

“Just a superstar,” European captain Catriona Matthew said of Castren. “I mean that putt she holed on 18, she had a plugged lie in the bunker and then to roll that putt in the middle — we just all kind of exploded on the side of the green there.”

The Europeans and Americans each won five singles matches and tied the two others for a 15-13 European victory on U.S. soil. The win is Europe’s second straight and fourth in the last six meetings.

After two days and four sessions, Europe started Monday leading 9-7 with 12 points from 12 singles matches still available. The Europeans needed just five points to retain the Cup, while the U.S. needed 7.5 to win.

Europe had held a 9-7 lead twice before in the Solheim Cup, and both times — in 1996 and 2002 — the U.S. stormed back to win. But that wasn’t in the cards this week.

The first match of the day featured two of the most popular players in the event, Lexi Thompson and Anna Nordqvist. Thompson has long been one of the leading faces of American women’s golf, and Nordqvist is Europe’s most experienced player and coming off a Women’s Open title and third career major title. It was also a rematch of the 2017 Solheim Cup in Des Moines, Iowa, when the pair led off that year as well and traded blows in an epic battle that ended in a tie.

On Monday, three hours after teeing off, they were still all square through 13 holes. Behind them, with the final match through five holes, Europe led in eight matches and the U.S. was in front in just three.

The first point of the day was claimed by 26-year-old European rookie Leona Maguire, who beat Jennifer Kupcho 5 and 4 in the third match out. Kupcho was having a strong Solheim Cup debut with a 2-0-1 record, but Maguire turned out to be the Europeans’ MVP. Maguire, the first Irish woman to play in a Solheim Cup, played in every session and finished 4-0-1.

“The goal was to get my point,” Maguire said. “That’s all I can do. I’ve given it my absolute all this week. I couldn’t have given it anything more. I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better week.”

Within the next 30 minutes Europe would strike again, and in convincing fashion. Not long after Madelene Sagstrom beat Ally Ewing 3 and 2, Celine Boutier breezed by Mina Harigae 5 and 4.

At that point, Team Europe was in total control, up 12-7, but the Americans weren’t yet out. Of the nine matches remaining, Europe either trailed, was tied or leading by no more than 1, meaning the U.S. still had a chance to flip the script — but a miracle comeback would require everything going right.

It was around this time Thompson and Nordqvist reached the 18th hole all square. Both had long birdie putts to win but settled for pars and tied the match. World No. 1 Nelly Korda soon beat Georgia Hall 1 up to make it a 12.5 to 8.5 deficit.

The next match that headed toward the 18th was crucial. Austin Ernst and Nanna Koerstz Madsen were tied through 17, and given the status of the Cup, this was one full point the Americans needed to steal from Europe. But after Koerstz Madsen missed her birdie try, Ernst, from about 12 feet, missed short and left and they tied the match.

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In the eighth and ninth matches of the day, Americans Brittany Altomare and Megan Khang picked up wins to cut it to 13-11 Europe, but as they wrapped up Salas was coming down the 18th hole 1 down to Castren. That meant she needed to win the 18th hole for a half-point or Castren’s point would be enough for Europe to retain the Cup. After Salas missed her birdie putt and tapped in for par, Castren rolled in a downhill 10-footer to save par, win the match and secure the Cup.

Europe was guaranteed the outright win a few minutes later when Emily Pedersen went 3 up with three to play against Danielle Kang, meaning Pedersen would secure at least a half point. Pedersen eventually won 1 up.

“Two years ago at Gleneagles in Scotland was fantastic, but this time in America we were up against it,” Matthew said. “The Americans were a fantastic team this year. They played hard. We just perhaps holed a few more putts and were lucky we came out on top.”

The U.S. still leads the all-time series 10-7. The next Solheim Cup will be at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares, Málaga, Spain, in 2023.

Solheim Cup Monday singles results

Match 1: Lexi Thompson (USA) vs. Anna Nordqvist (EUR), tied
Match 2: Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) def. Ally Ewing (USA), 3 and 2
Match 3: Leona Maguire (EUR) def. Jennifer Kupcho (USA), 5 and 4
Match 4: Nelly Korda (USA) def. Georgia Hall (EUR), 1 up
Match 5: Celine Boutier (EUR) def. Mina Harigae (USA), 5 and 4
Match 6: Austin Ernst (USA) vs. Nanna Koerstz Madsen (EUR), tied
Match 7: Matilda Castren (EUR) def. Lizette Salas (USA), 1 up
Match 8: Brittany Altomare (USA) def. Carlota Ciganda (EUR), 2 and 1
Match 9: Megan Khang (USA) def. Sophia Popov (EUR), 3 and 2
Match 10: Yealimi Noh (USA) def. Mel Reid (EUR), 1 up
Match 11: Jessica Korda (USA) def. Charley Hull (EUR), 3 and 1
Match 12: Emily Pedersen (EUR) def. Danielle Kang (USA) 1 up

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