The 2021 Solheim Cup golf tournament will take place this Saturday, September 4, at Inverness Club in Ohio. The bi-annual team golf event between the United States and Europe is the biggest event of the year for women’s golf. The competition will feature the 12 best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the 12 best US players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.
After beating the USA in 2019 at Gleneagles, the European Team is the current holder. However, Team USA captain and six-time LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) winner Pat Hurst will be looking to lead her team to victory in the three-day tournament. Scottish golfer and four-time LPGA winner Catriona Matthew will captain Europe for the second time after her victory in 2019. Despite not winning the previous Solheim Cup, Team USA has been tipped by sportsbooks as a clear favorite to win the tournament this year.
Team Europe’s Captain Impressed by Korda
Team USA’s chances have been boosted by having Nelly Korda, who is the highest-ranked female golf player in the world. The Florida native became world number one after winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship earlier this year.
When asked by the Independent what she thought about Korda, Catriona Matthew said: “She’s obviously been very impressive the last few months…I think without a doubt she’s got that potential to be dominant…She hits it long. Well, to be world number one you have to do everything well. If she can keep that form going, I don’t see why she couldn’t be dominant. I think it is good for women’s golf to have a dominant player.”
Catriona Matthew also added that she saw Team USA as the favorite: “I think on paper the Americans are always the stronger team but 18 holes match play anyone can win.”
For the Europeans, Georgia Hall is leading the charge as a two-time Solheim Cup veteran. She recorded a perfect 4 wins out of 4 in the 2019 Cup, and if she repeats that in September, the Europeans will be difficult opponents.
2021 Solheim Cup Format
The format for the tournament is as follows:
- Day 1 (Saturday) – Four foursomes (alternate shot matches) in a morning session and four fourballs (better-ball matches) in an afternoon session.
- Day 2 (Sunday) – Four foursomes in a morning session and four fourball (better-ball matches) in an afternoon session.
- Day 3 (Monday) – 12 singles matches in which all 12 players from each team participate.
With 14½ points required to win the Cup, the singles on the final day are set to be the deciding factor in this great exhibition of female golf.
Solheim Cup Competitors
| Team USA | Team Europe |
|---|---|
| Nelly Korda | Emily Kristine Pedersen</td |
| Danielle Kang | Georgia Hall |
| Ally Ewing | Anna Nordqvist |
| Austin Ernst | Sophia Popov |
| Lexi Thompson | Charley Hull |
| Jessica Korda | Carlota Ciganda |
| Megan Khang | Céline Boutier |
| Lizette Salas | Matilda Castren |
| Jennifer Kupcho | Nanna Koerstz Madsen |
| Brittany Altomare | Leona Maguire |
| Yealimi Noh | Mel Reid |
| Mina Harigae | Madelene Sagström |
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
