Who Has Won The Most Solheim Cups?
We take a look at the Solheim Cup scoreline over the years
The record of who has won the most Solheim Cups goes to the Americans, winning 10 to Europe's 7. It's fair to say, however, that in the early days the Americans were definitely the dominant force but the momentum has shifted back to Europe in recent times. We have won four out of the last six Cup clashes.
If European captain Suzann Petersen's team can complete the hat-trick at Finca Cortesin, Andalucia, Spain from 18-24 September 2023, then it will be the first time that the Europeans have ever won three consecutive Solheim Cups.
The Americans have done so twice, with a winning run from 1994-1998 and then again from 2005-2009, etched in the history books.
The Early Years - American Dominance
When the Solheim Cup first begun back in the early 90s the USA were dominant, winning four out of the first five matches spanning a decade, from 1990.
The margins of victory in those formative years was also quite considerable. Under Kathy Whitworth's captaincy the American side demolished the Europeans on home soil 11 1/2 - 4 1/2 in the inaugural Cup at Lake Nona, Florida in 1990. This still, to this day, stands as the biggest winning margin in Solheim Cup history.
The Tightest Contests
The two closest Solheim Cup contests have happened in recent years, 2015 and 2019, showing just how evenly matched the talented pool of players in both teams has become.
On both occasions there was just a one-point margin of victory, with the Americans claiming the 14 1/2 - 13 1/2 victory at St. Leon Rot, Germany under the tenacious captaincy of Juli Inkster, and Europe taking the spoils with the same scoreline at Gleneagles, Scotland with Catriona Matthew at the helm.
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The Most Magical Winning Putt Ever
The pressure of having to sink a putt for your team’s victory in the Solheim Cup is immense. Knowing that every match on the course has finished and it's all down to you, on your final hole, with one putt left at 18 to seal the deal must be unbearable!
Yet that's the exact situation Suzann Pettersen was in at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2019.
The 42-year old Norwegian was no stranger to pressure. She had won 15 times on the LPGA Tour and seven times on the Ladies European Tour, including two Major championships.
Add to that an impressive Solheim Cup career record of 18-12-6 in an incredible nine appearances. Nevertheless, playing against American Marina Alex she faced, what was arguably, the toughest putt of her career.
The two players were all-square on the 18th hole. The score was 13.5 -13.5 in the match. Pettersen faced a seven-foot left-to-right putt to win the Cup for Europe.
She drained it, giving Europe its first Solheim Cup win since 2013. To top it off she announced her retirement from playing professional golf shortly after, ending her competitive career on the highest of highs.
Carly Frost is one of the golf industry’s best-known female writers, having worked for golf magazines for over 20 years. As a consistent three-handicapper who plays competitive club golf at Parkstone and the Isle of Purbeck courses in Dorset every week, Carly is well-versed in what lady golfers love. Her passion for golf and skill at writing combine to give her an unbeatable insight into the ladies game.
Carly’s role at Golf Monthly is to help deliver thorough and accurate ladies equipment reviews, buying advice and comparisons to help you find exactly what you are looking for. So whether it’s the latest driver, set of irons, golf ball, pair of shoes or even an outfit, Carly will help you decide what to buy. Over the years Carly has been fortunate to play some of the greatest courses in the world. Her view ‘from the ladies tee’ is invaluable. She ranks Sea Island, Georgia, USA, where she met her husband, world-renowned golf coach Dan Frost, among her favourite golf resorts. Their aptly-named eight-year-old son Hogan is already hitting the ball as far as Mum and will undoubtedly be a name to watch out for in the future. Carly is a keen competitor and her list of golfing achievements are vast. She is a former winner of the South West of England Ladies Intermediate Championship, a three-time winner of the European Media Masters and she once beat an entire start-sheet of men to the title of Times Corporate World Golf Champion. She has played for both the Dorset and Surrey County Ladies first teams and is known for her excellent track record at matchplay.
Carly holds the ladies course record (68) at her home club Parkstone and her lowest competition round (seven-under-par 65) was carded in the pro-am of the Irish Ladies Open at Killeen Castle, playing alongside Solheim Cup superstar Anna Nordqvist. Although her current handicap index has crept up to 3.7 since Covid she has her sights firmly set on achieving that elusive scratch handicap and hopefully playing for her country when she’s 50.
Carly’s current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Callaway Epic Max, 10.5°
Fairway wood: TaylorMade SIM2, 15°
Hybrids: Titleist TS2, 19°, 21°, 24°
Irons: Mizuno JPX900, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX, 52°, 56° and 58°
Putter: Scotty Cameron Futura X5
Ball: 2021 Callaway Ladies SuperSoft
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