Teams, Format, Rules, Scoring, Captain Picks, and Viewing Options

The 2024 Solheim Cup is set to take place at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, marking the second consecutive edition of the competition as well as the 19th installment overall. While typically held every other year, this particular Solheim Cup was strategically scheduled to align with even-numbered years, a change made by the organizers.

This decision comes on the heels of changes in the international golf calendar, particularly when the Ryder Cup was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which inadvertently overshadowed the Solheim Cup, traditionally held in odd-numbered years.

The previous event in 2023 was a tense showdown held in Andalusia, Spain, resulting in a dramatic 14-14 tie. With Europe having claimed victory on American soil in 2021, they retained the Solheim Cup this time after rallying from a 13-11 deficit, thanks to a stellar performance by Carlota Ciganda, who emerged as the local champion.

This close contest has energized the U.S. team, who are eager to reclaim the trophy on their home turf. Fortunately for them, they don’t have to wait a full two years for their chance at revenge, as they attempt to secure their first victory since 2017.

The format for the 2024 Solheim Cup will feature an exciting combination of match play styles. The first two days, specifically Friday and Saturday, will each include two distinct session types: foursomes in the morning followed by four-ball in the afternoon. The event will conclude on Sunday with 12 singles matches.

In the four-ball format, teams of two from each country compete, with every player playing their own ball. The lowest score of the two players from each side is the score that counts for that hole, while the other scores are disregarded.

Conversely, the foursomes format sees two-player teams taking turns to strike the same ball until it is holed. In this setup, one player will hit tee shots on odd-numbered holes while the partner will tee off on even-numbered holes, requiring teamwork and strategy.

The singles matches occur only during the final round on Sunday, where each of the 12 players face off head-to-head throughout the day.

When it comes to scoring during the Solheim Cup, each match is worth one point, with tied matches resulting in each team receiving 0.5 points. The overall winner is the first team to reach 14.5 points over the three-day event. If the competition ends in a 14-14 tie, Europe, having entered the match as defending champions, will retain the Cup.

Each hole in the matches is scored independently, with the lowest score winning that hole, while ties are simply considered halved. Points can shift throughout the match; for example, if one team leads by two holes, they would be 2 UP, but any match can end prematurely if one team holds a lead greater than the number of holes left to play.

Teams can also demonstrate sportsmanship through concessions, allowing players to concede certain strokes if they believe the resulting putt is relatively straightforward.

The rosters for the 2024 Solheim Cup are packed with talent. Automatic qualifiers include notable players like Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, Lilia Vu, and Carlota Ciganda. Additionally, captain’s picks feature names like Jennifer Kupcho and Lexi Thompson, who is participating in her seventh and likely final Solheim Cup as she plans to retire at the end of the year. This narrative will undoubtedly be pivotal during the event, as the U.S. team works to reclaim the trophy from Europe.

Interestingly, among the competitors, only the U.S. boasts a winner from a major tournament this year, with Nelly Korda triumphing at the Chevron Championship.

As the event approaches, fans are eager for thrilling golf action, pushing each team to showcase their best performances and revive the intense rivalry characteristic of the Solheim Cup.

Source: source names