The 2021 Solheim cup has concluded with the Europeans retaining the cup with a 15 -13 victory over the USA. It was once again a spectacular and exciting advertisement for women’s golf with no fewer than 16 of the 28 matches decided on the 18th hole. But what did we learn from the experience? Here are the 5 biggest takeaways from the tournament.
The Standard of Women’s Golf Is Better Than the Men’s
Given that the ladies don’t have the distance off the tee to destroy a course, they must rely on timing and therefore accuracy to navigate the course. This was the place that golf started and is a refreshing improvement on where the men’s game has headed. Around the greens the women game is equal to the men’s, so overall is the skill level of the Women’s tour at a higher level than their male counterparts?
Never Discount the Underdog
The Americans went into the Solheim Cup as the firm favorites but once again failed to live up to their star billing. The Europeans seem to have more fight and team spirit than the USA and despite there being no fans supporting them, handled the pressure better.
The Rules of Golf Don’t Enhance the Game
One of the biggest stories coming out of the Solheim Cup involved a rules official and the way she applied the rules to gift America a point. The bizarre and unfortunate ruling marred the competition, and the controversy signaled that the rules of golf need another update.
Experience Doesn’t Always Count
The European win was heavily influenced by the fact that their rookies were outstanding and the American big guns didn’t fire.
Rookie, Matilda Castren, went 3-1 on the week and rolled in the par putt, an 8-footer at the last to retain the cup. Kristine Pedersen also had out a 3-1 week, courtesy of a 1-up win over Danielle Kang.
A third rookie Leona Maguire won a record four and a half points and was the only golfer from either side to play all five sessions.”Never could I have imagined for it to go as well as this,” she said. “This is something I will never forget and definitely one of the best weeks of my life.
Money Doesn’t Always Talk
…..Meanwhile, the men’s FEDEX tour final was being played over the same weekend for a total prize money of $60m and a winner’s purse of $15m. Was it as exciting as the Solheim Cup 2021? The simple answer is no and proves that playing for huge money doesn’t have the passion of playing for your country.
Later this month, the USA men have a chance to avenge the Solheim cup loss at the prestigious Ryder cup, which this year will be played at the Whistling Straits Golf Course, Kohler. Once again the USA will be hot favorites on home soil but will history repeat itself.
A gambling industry veteran of 20 years, Andrew Carter has covered sports and gambling for a number of local newspapers in the USA - and now focuses on sports betting analysis & content for Vegas-Odds.com
