GAINESVILLE, Va. – Stacy Lewis and Suzann Pettersen are each getting second turns at Solheim Cup captaincy. Lewis’ U.S. group has 9 of the 12 gamers from her 2023 squad and Pettersen retained 10.
Amongst that familiarity, there was some change, which European gamers have observed in Pettersen.
“Suzann’s simply been actually ready this yr, so I believe simply making a number of good choices and simply form of doing her factor,” mentioned Anna Nordqvist who’s once more each a vice captain and a participant for Pettersen.
“I believe Suzann, it’s simply good to see her aggressive spirit and her making some good choices on her personal.”
Linn Grant and Maja Stark had been European rookies a yr in the past and have additionally observed a distinction in Pettersen’s management.
“She’s placing herself, in a great way, above the gamers, like she actually needs to information us and present the way in which,” Grant mentioned.
“I believe that she was possibly a bit simpler final yr in the way in which that she form of went in and needed to be buddies with everybody.”
The Solheim Cup begins Friday however earlier than it does, listed below are some large questions dealing with each groups at Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership.
Added Stark, “Final time she was very democratic, and she or he form of instructed us … I believe it was the Monday, she instructed us like who we had been going to play with. Then it bought just a little bit switched round, and we didn’t actually know what was occurring generally.
“So, I believe it’s lots higher now. She is aware of when to say it. She is aware of what’s applicable. Yeah, she appears extra snug this yr.”
Pettersen agrees.
“Yeah, we drew a number of nice experiences from final yr. I believe what we discovered probably the most is being exact. Giving fairly clear messages goes a good distance. Being clear is nice. However on the identical time, they form of search for any individual who could make choices, the gamers. So, there’s a mix,” she mentioned.
As for Lewis, U.S. gamers say they’re seeing a lot of the identical from their captain – in a great way.
“Stacy’s been superior,” Andrea Lee mentioned. “Actually, I don’t really feel like something’s drastically modified from final yr. She’s very levelheaded. She is aware of that we’re doing our personal factor, we’re doing our greatest for our group and for ourselves on the market, and she or he trusts us. That permits us to place a number of religion in belief in her.”
“It’s nice to see how organized she is, too,” Nelly Korda mentioned, “so our days are deliberate out to a T, so we’ve got nothing to fret about apart from our enterprise on the golf course.”
With all her preparedness, Lewis is ensuring her group has something and all the pieces it must be profitable.
“These ladies, they need that trophy, and so they need to win. They’ll discuss it often, however I simply suppose they should get pleasure from themselves and they should have enjoyable and so they have to be relaxed,” Lewis mentioned. “From what I’ve seen out of Solheim Cups and groups that I’ve been on, those which can be extra relaxed, those which can be having enjoyable behind the scenes, these are those that I’ve been on successful groups.
“So we put a number of emphasis in what’s occurring within the group room, what’s occurring within the bus. They requested for a karaoke machine; I’ll get you a karaoke machine. I don’t care.
“Actually, I’ll get no matter they should assist them play good golf.”
