United States captain Stacy Lewis insists her “hungry” crew are able to sort out “unfinished business” and finish Staff Europe’s unbeaten streak within the Solheim Cup.
Staff USA haven’t received the Solheim Cup since 2017, with Europe following back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2021 by retaining the title with a dramatic 14-14 tie in Spain final September.
Lewis stays captain for this yr’s contest at Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership in Virginia, the place she is decided to see Staff USA return to successful methods however not feeling any further strain as odds-on favourites.
“This team is hungry and they want to have fun doing it,” Lewis stated. “These girls, they want that trophy, and they want to win. They’ll talk about it occasionally, but I just think they need to enjoy themselves and they need to have fun and they need to be relaxed.
“From what I’ve seen out of Solheim Cups and groups that I have been on, those which can be extra relaxed, those which can be having enjoyable behind the scenes, these are those which were on successful groups.
Dwell Solheim Cup Golf
Dwell Solheim Cup Golf
Friday thirteenth September 11:30am
“So we put a whole lot of emphasis in what is going on on within the crew room, what is going on on within the bus. Simply no matter they should do to assist them keep relaxed. I am going to get no matter they should assist them play good golf. However the motivation is there. They’re working laborious, they usually need to win this factor
“If we win, we stop the [European] streak. If we lose, the streak keeps going. I would love to stop it, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t see it as pressure.”
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Forward of the Solheim Cup beginning on Friday, we requested Staff Europe to present their descriptions of captain Suzann Pettersen in only one phrase
The ‘unfinished enterprise’ mantra has turn out to be the crew motto for the US this week, with Megan Khang determined to make her fourth Solheim Cup look a Staff USA victory.
“Some people have asked me what one word would be to describe Team USA this year, and I’m just going to say ‘hungry,’ Khang said,
“Nelly [Korda] and I clearly being on the identical quantity of Solheim Cups and never essentially getting the job accomplished final yr sort of leaves not essentially the perfect style in your mouth.
World No 1 Nelly Korda makes her fourth consecutive Solheim Cup look and is chasing a primary victory
“Luckily, we didn’t have to wait two years. We have this year to kind of get back at it, and I can tell you now we’re more hungry than ever.”
Lexi Thompson, making her seventh and probably final Solheim Cup look, added: “There’s pressure every time we tee it up. It might be a little bit more representing our country, but it’s learning to embrace it. You’re not alone out there.
“You might have your team-mates by your facet pumping you up. In fact there’s a bit of little bit of unfinished enterprise, however we all know what now we have to do. We have now to go on the market and play some nice golf, and we’re prepared to take action and produce some optimistic power.”
Dwell Solheim Cup Golf
Dwell Solheim Cup Golf
Friday thirteenth September 5:30pm
Europe able to create historical past?
4 of the final 5 editions of the Solheim Cup have seen a successful margin of two factors or much less, with Carlota Ciganda anticipating one other shut contest however backing Staff Europe to impress once more.
“I think that’s probably going to be more of the same,” Ciganda stated. “Yeah, the US crew, they have been enjoying higher than us on paper, and doubtless world rankings, however I feel this week is completely different.
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Carlota Ciganda produced some scintillating golf to beat Nelly Korda within the singles and acquire the essential level wanted to retain the 2023 Solheim Cup for Europe
“You have to make those putts to win and I think, as Europeans, we all know how to do that. The US team is amazing, but I know we’re going to put up a good fight. I believe in this team, and I think we can do it.”
Staff Europe needed to battle again from shedding the opening session in a clear sweep to retain the trophy 12 months in the past and Leona Maguire – who registered three factors from her 5 matches – believes captain Pettersen has taken a whole lot of learnings from that efficiency.
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Will we see one other dramatic end on the Solheim Cup? Have a look again at an exciting end to final yr’s contest in Spain
“While we did bring back the trophy, there was a lot of things that didn’t quite go right in Spain,” Maguire admitted. “I think, to be fair to her, she was very open to feedback, and she’s taken a lot of that on board.
“I feel she’s a bit of bit calmer this time round. I feel she’s counting on her assistant captains and she or he’s trusting her personal instincts loads. All people goes to have an opinion what you probably did proper and what you probably did mistaken. I feel she has to stay to her weapons and go together with what she believes is true.”
Who will win the 2024 Solheim Cup? Watch solely reside this September on Sky Sports activities! Dwell protection from the opening ceremony begins at 9.30pm on Thursday, with the opening day’s play reside on the Friday from 11.30am. Stream the Solheim Cup and extra with NOW.
