The History of Prestigious Solheim Cup: Past Winners and Record Holders

An esteemed tournament whose reputation is no less than that of the men’s Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup gives the female athletes of the golf world a platform for international recognition. A golden opportunity for the team to fulfill their patriotic dreams and represent the golfing talent of their country in front of the world. The event features the 12 best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the 12 best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. As the prestigious event returns once again in 2023, let’s take a look at the event’s history, its previous winners, and their captains throughout the last three decades.

The inaugural Cup was held in 1990 at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Florida, where team USA gained victory over Europe with a score of 1 1⁄2 – 4 1⁄2. Since then, 17 events have been held, with the last event being in 2021 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. Team Europe registered a second victory on US soil with a 15-13 win over Team USA.

Held biennially, i.e., every two years, the Solheim Cup has now become the most highly coveted trophy in women’s professional golf team competition for teams representing Europe and the United States. The tournament is named after the Norwegian–American golf club manufacturer Karsten and Louise Solheim, who were the founders of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment.

Solheim Cup-winning teams over the years

Out of the 17 tournaments, Europe has tasted victory seven times. Europe opened its winning account in 1992. The event was held in Scotland, and they registered a victory of 11.5–6.5. After that, they enjoyed another victory after eight years in 2000, again in Scotland at the Loch Lomond Golf Club. Following that, they won in 2003, 2011, 2013, 2019, and 2021.

Meanwhile, Team USA started enjoying victories with the first match in 1990. After that, they won in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2015, and their last win was in 2017 at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Iowa, with a score of 16.5–11.5.

Previous captains who led their teams to victory

This is a role of extreme importance and is handed out with care to those with peculiar records. The captains are typically recently retired professional golfers who have had playing experience in the Solheim Cup while they were actively playing. They are chosen based on their experience playing on previous Cup teams and their current ability to make a team.

Under the leadership of Kathy Whitworth, Team USA won the first game. Then, in 1992, Mickey Walker led Europe to victory. Then JoAnne Carner was the captain of the winning team, the US. After her, Judy Rankin enjoyed winning the captaincy twice, as the US won in 1996 and 1998. Then it was Scotland’s turn to remove their eclipse and win the event in the year 2000, as Dale Reid led the way.

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In the 2002 US victory, Patty Sheehan served as the captain, and Catrin Nilsmark took over in 2003. From 2005 to 2009, the US enjoyed three uninterrupted victories under three different captains: Nancy Lopez, Betsy King, and Beth Daniel. Then, in 2011 and 2013, Alison Nicholas and Liselotte Neumann held the baton from Europe’s side. Following that, the legendary Juli Inkster took charge in 2015 and 2017, and Team USA won both years. The last golfer to enjoy winning captaincy was Catriona Matthew in 2019 and 2021.

Esteemed records made at the Solheim Cup by golfers

Even though there is no cash prize for participating in the Solheim Cup, being on the winning team increases a golfer’s value by itself because it opens doors for more opportunities in the future. Also, there is a certain set of records one could make during the event, which further adds to one’s profile.

The golfer with the most appearances is Laura Davies, who made 12 appearances from 1990 to 2011. Davies is also the record holder for the most points at the event, which is 25. While most singles points were 7 and won by Juli Inkster. While most foursome points of 11.5 were won by Annika Sörenstam and most fourball points of 11.5 were won by Cristie Kerr,

In 2023, for the first time in its history, the event will be held at the Finca Cortesin Costa del Sol, Andaluca, from September 18–24, 2023. And from 2024 on, the LPGA and LET have announced that the Solheim Cup will return to its old format of being held for an even number of years. It remains to be seen whether any records will be made in this Ryder Cup!

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