After a heartbreaking tie in 2023 to Staff Europe on the Solheim Cup, Staff USA didn’t desire a repeat of that in 2024. One thing wanted to alter for them to search out success.
Lilia Vu clinched the Solheim Cup for Staff USA as they gained 15.5 to 13.5 and clinched the Cup for the primary time since 2017.
Staff USA carried out phenomenally from high to backside of the roster. Their capacity to step up when others didn’t have their finest day was an enormous key to the success.
The rookies stepped up, the veterans got here up enormous, and their chemistry was off the charts.
Staff USA stayed aggressive from the primary session to the final one of many Solheim Cup.
Let’s take a look at a few of the numbers that assist lead to a victory for the People.
Dominant undefeated queens
Staff USA noticed 4 girls go undefeated. Half had ties, whereas the opposite two didn’t lose a single level.
Rose Zhang went 4-0-0. What made it so spectacular with Zhang was that she went undefeated with out ever seeing the seventeenth or 18th holes at Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership.
The 20-year-old took down Solheim Cup veteran Carlota Ciganda with a dominant 6 & 4 victory. She redeemed herself after going 0-2-1 final yr at Finca Cortesin in Spain.
Zhang led all of the gamers, successful 28 holes and solely shedding eight. That 20+ win/loss gap distinction is essentially the most dominant within the final twenty years. Jessica Korda had the closest efficiency to it, successful 29 holes and shedding 14 in 2019.
Briefly, Zhang dominated.
“The golf course was made for you, Rose,” Staff USA captain Stacy Lewis stated.
Megan Khang went 3-0-0 and scored three factors for Staff USA. Rookie Lauren Coughlin went 3-0-1 and earned 3.5 factors, together with 2-0 in Foursomes and 1-0 in fourball. She tied in singles.
Andrea Lee additionally went undefeated, scoring 2-0-1 and successful two fourball matches.
It was the second time Staff USA had many gamers go with out a loss.
Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz = a dynamic duo
Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz bought Staff USA its first level of the week after they beat Easter Henseleit 3 & 2 in Friday Foursomes.
The duo took down Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda 1 UP in Saturday Foursomes.
These two match wins had been huge for Staff USA. With out their factors, Sunday would have had a a lot totally different consequence. They bought the momentum happening Saturday when Corpuz hit that wild shot, and Korda sank the eagle putt.
That second gave Staff USA momentum and helped the opposite groups get the job carried out to separate each periods.
They set the tone, and the staff adopted with a vengeance. This technique proved to be the best one for Staff USA.
Management shines for Staff USA
Staff USA wanted a powerful chief to assist Lewis and her assistant captains. Like most groups, a few gamers take the initiative and lead their friends.
A shuttle trip to the golf course took 40 minutes. Nerves had been excessive, and nervousness did its finest to distract this group of 12. Korda took the initiative, placed on some inspirational music, and bought the entire staff targeted on something however the match.
Korda took over and helped play “I Wanna Dance with Someone” by Whitney Houston the final two days, serving to the staff come collectively and play effectively. Korda’s gentle and upbeat demeanor helped the remainder of the group let go of that nervous vitality.
She and Megan Khang additionally inspired the crowds on the primary gap to absorb each second of the expertise.
They cherished getting the followers concerned, and whereas some might not suppose that helps the remainder of the staff, it does as a result of it reveals they’ve a “twelfth Man” on the market.
This week felt totally different for Staff USA. They carried themselves with a lot pleasure and confidence. It paid off, too, as a result of they jumped on Staff Europe Friday morning and saved the momentum till Vu sank her putt on Sunday afternoon.
Staff USA and Staff Europe’s particular person data
Staff USA:
Rose Zhang: 4-0-0; 4 pts.
Lauren Coughlin: 3-0-1; 3.5 pts.
Megan Khang: 3-0-0; 3 pts.
Allisen Corpuz: 3-1-0; 3 pts.
Nelly Korda: 3-1-0; 3 pts.
Andrea Lee: 2-0-1; 2.5 pts.
Sarah Schmelzel: 2-2-0; 2 pts.
Lilia Vu: 1-2-1; 1.5 pts.
Jennifer Kupcho: 1-2-0; 1 pt.
Alison Lee: 1-2-0; 1 pt.
Lexi Thompson: 1-3-0; 1 pt.
Ally Ewing: 0-4-0; 0 pt.
Staff Europe:
Charley Hull: 3-2-0; 3pts.
Celine Boutier: 2-2-0; 2 pts.
Anna Nordqvist: 2-2-0; 2 pts.
Emily Pedersen: 2-3-0; 2 pts.
Madelene Sagstrom: 2-1-0; 2pts.
Georgia Corridor: 2-2-0; 2 pts.
Esther Henseleit: 1-1-1; 1.5 pts.
Maja Stark: 1-2-1; 1.5 pts.
Leona Maguire: 1-1-0; 1 pt.
Carlota Ciganda: 1-3-0; 1 pt.
Albane Valenzuela: 0-1-1; 0.5 pt.
Linn Grant: 0-4-0; 0 pt.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can too comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
