Stacy Lewis believes her facet are extra ready than ever to finish their Solheim Cup winless run and has backed Staff USA to safe a long-awaited victory on dwelling soil.
Lewis led an inexperienced facet to a 14-14 tie at Finca Cortesin final September, the primary within the occasion’s historical past, permitting Staff Europe to retain the trophy after victories in each 2019 and 2021.
Staff USA had six gamers showing of their first away Solheim Cup – together with 5 debutants – throughout final yr’s contest, whereas Lewis has retained 9 of that line-up this time round as they chase a primary win since 2017.
“I’ve got a great group 12 that seem to all get along,” Lewis instructed Sky Sports activities. “I think I’ve already seen it in the team dynamic and I’ve seen it in the way they’re interacting.
“These six [rookies] acquired a lot expertise final yr, all these rookies taking part in abroad, and it is a totally different animal coming to the US. They not less than know what to anticipate, what each day goes to seem like and we’re undoubtedly extra ready this time round.
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Talking on the Sky Sports activities Golf Podcast, Jamie Spence says regardless of being prime gamers, a scarcity of Solheim Cup expertise might have an effect on Staff USA
“It [winning] would imply rather a lot. Not simply to me personally, however I wish to see this crew win and I wish to see these gamers win a Solheim Cup.
“I want to see them be able to have that celebration and not dealing with a close loss again. I want that for them more than anything. Looking back on my memories of the Solheim Cup, those nights are some of my most vivid and most fun memories, so I want that for them.”
Staff USA ‘transferring in the correct route’
The USA accomplished a clear sweep in final yr’s opening session earlier than Europe battled again to degree the competition heading into the ultimate day, the place a dramatic end denied Staff USA a well-known away win in Spain.
“I think in the moment I was trying to be positive with the team, but in the back of mind we’d lost,” Lewis added. “We did not get to 14 and a half and I do know all people mentioned it was a tie, but it surely did not really feel that manner on our facet.
Dwell Solheim Cup Golf
Dwell Solheim Cup Golf
Friday thirteenth September 11:30am
“At the same time, we did a lot of great things that week. We went there with a very young team and played some really great golf. I left there encouraged with the way we were moving and the direction we were going in.
“I did not suppose we would have liked large adjustments however there have been some tweaks. Whether or not it is issues behind the scenes or technique with pairings, we’re making an attempt to have a look at issues in a different way.”
Lexi Thompson is the one participant within the American facet who featured of their final Solheim Cup success in 2017, with the 29-year-old excited to function once more and praising Lewis’ function as captain.
“I think what makes her the right person is the experience that she has had on the golf course at Solheim Cups and the knowledge she has,” Thompson instructed Sky Sports activities. “With the stats and the way a lot data she has in our video games and the belief that she has in us, we could not ask for anybody higher.
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Talking on the Sky Sports activities Golf Podcast, Sophie Walker offers us the lowdown on the rookies in Europe’s Solheim Cup crew – Esther Henseleit and Albane Valenzuela
“The Solheim Cup, in my eyes, has made my career. I’ve always said that any time there was a Solheim Cup, I wanted to be on that team and represent my country.
“To have the ability to accomplish that and this being my seventh – I could not have requested for something higher, particularly on US soil and for presumably for my final one. It is going to be very particular and I am very a lot trying ahead to it.”
Who will win the 2024 Solheim Cup? Watch exclusively live this September on Sky Sports! Live coverage from the opening ceremony begins at 9.30pm on Thursday, with the opening day’s play live on the Friday from 11.30am. Stream the Solheim Cup and extra with NOW.
