Only one week remains before arguably the most exciting tournament in Women’s Golf, the Solheim Cup, begins. In 2023, Team Europe retained the Cup after tying 14-14 with Team USA. This time the Stacy Lewis-led Team USA, will be hoping to redeem the recent losses with the added advantage of being on American soil. And even the other side knows this.

When asked what Team USA’s strength will be, Team Europe player Madelene Sagstrom claimed the home advantage was a big one. “We all know they’re good golfers, but being on home soil is always really, really nice. It just adds that layer of support,” she said.

It may be that she was speaking from last year’s experience in Andalusia where home support for Team Europe seemed to motivate them to offer a tough fight. “I think that whoever is on home soil always has a little bit of an advantage, same as we did last year,” the Swiss star added.

Madelene Sagstrom made the team this year after qualifying due to her Rolex Women’s Golf Ranking of 32. She has 3 top-10 finishes this year and is looking to help Europe retain the Solheim Cup again after she did so last year qualifying the same way. However, this time the turf is against them, and that poses challenges of it’s own.

The partisan crowds at the Robert Trent Jones GC will surely heap enormous pressure on the visiting team, which is unlike most golf events and is a highlight of the Solheim Cup format. And after a tie last year, which meant Team Europe retained the Solheim Cup, the likes of Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson are undoubtedly eager to redeem their nation’s bragging rights by winning it this time.

How does Madelene Sagstrom intend to deal with the American crowds?

The Uppsala native Madelene Sagstrom now lives in Orlando, Florida, and is no stranger to American crowds. She has played two Solheim Cups on American soil and has stated that crowds cheering for her felt slightly odd when the Solheim Cup went to Europe.

Sagstrom believes that a player needs great mental strength to deal with the crowds saying, “You just have to be strong. You have to be a grinder out there.” While that’s her mantra, the Swiss national also believes her team can help her further burst through Team USA’s hometown advantage. She claimed that having good people and a team that will “stick it out, no matter what” will eventually help Team Europe bring the Solheim Cup back again.

Will that comradery and mental rigor be enough to beat some of the best in the world though? It remains to be seen.