The final two weeks of September should be some spectacular golf. One of these weeks, however, is overshadowing the other and has not received much press that we have seen. Many golfers know the Ryder Cup will be played the week of September 25th - October 1st. What many golfers are not aware of, or at least talking about, is the Solheim Cup being played the week prior, September 18th - 24th.
Both events are Team USA vs Team Europe. How each team is selected is different but the formats of play are the same. The first two days will consist of Foursomes and Fourball matches with the final day consisting of singles matches.
Foursome Match - "Foursome" play is a match where two golfers from the same team are paired up to compete against two golfers from the other team. Each team plays one ball and the golfers play alternate shots until the hole is played out.
Four-ball Match - "Four-Ball" play is a match where each member of the two-player team plays her own ball. Four balls are in play on each hole. The lowest score from each team will be the score for that team.
Singles Match - "Single" is a match where one player from Team USA competes against one player from Team Europe. Each will play her own ball. On the final day, all twelve members from Team USA will compete against the twelve members from Team Europe in singles matches.
These match-ups between the USA and Europe happen every two years. This is only the second time both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup have been played in the same year. That will change, however, as the Solheim Cup will move to even-numbered years in 2024.
Team USA holds an overall 10-7 advantage over Team Europe in overall Solheim Competition but it is Team Europe that has won the last two matches. The last Solheim Cup was played on US soil so this year the competition will take place in Europe. To be more specific the event will be played at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Andalucia, Spain.
The captains of this year's event are Stacy Lewis for Team USA and Suzann Pettersen for Team Europe. There are many top names playing on both sides including 3 of the top 4 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings. Also included in the list of players is Tulane Alum and now local resident, Gemma Dryburgh. Perhaps we can find a way to root her on while still pulling for Team USA.
TV Schedule -
Friday, September 22nd - 1AM to 12PM - Golf Channel
Saturday, September 23rd - 1AM to 12PM - Golf Channel
Sunday, September 24th - 4AM to 10AM - Golf Channel
*all times are Central Time
Team USA won the last cup in 2021 but Team Europe has won 4 out of the last 6 Ryder Cup matches. The Ryder Cup was postponed from 2020 to 2021 pushing the Ryder Cup to odd number years. This year the teams will meet at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy.
The captains for this Ryder Cup are Zach Johnson for Team USA and Luke Donald for Team Europe. As with every year the Ryder Cup is played, the top names in all of golf will be featured. This includes the 15 best golfers according to the Official World Golf Rankings. Local fan favorite and LSU Alum Sam Burns will also be playing for Team USA giving us a little extra to cheer for.
TV Schedule -
Friday, September 29th - 12:30AM to 11AM - USA Network
Saturday, September 30th - 12:30AM to 2AM - USA Network | 2AM to 11AM - NBC
Sunday, October 1st - 4:30AM to 12PM - NBC
*all times are Central Time
Both of these events should showcase some great golf over the last two weeks of September. The only downside is if you want to watch either event live you have to start very early in the morning. Although, we are sure there will be replays of the broadcast each day like there have been in years past.
With such a great way to end the month let's sit back, watch some great golf, and cheer our country's team.