United States captain Stacy Lewis insists her “hungry” group are able to deal with “unfinished business” and finish Crew Europe’s unbeaten streak within the Solheim Cup.
Crew USA haven’t gained the Solheim Cup since 2017, with Europe following back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2021 by retaining the title with a dramatic 14-14 tie in Spain final September.
Lewis stays captain for this 12 months’s contest at Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership in Virginia, the place she is decided to see Crew USA return to profitable methods however not feeling any extra stress as odds-on favourites.
“This team is hungry and they want to have fun doing it,” Lewis mentioned. “These girls, they want that trophy, and they want to win. They’ll talk about it occasionally, but I just think they need to enjoy themselves and they need to have fun and they need to be relaxed.
“From what I’ve seen out of Solheim Cups and groups that I have been on, those which can be extra relaxed, those which can be having enjoyable behind the scenes, these are those which were on profitable groups.
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“So we put numerous emphasis in what is going on on within the group room, what is going on on within the bus. Simply no matter they should do to assist them keep relaxed. I am going to get no matter they should assist them play good golf. However the motivation is there. They’re working onerous, and so they wish to win this factor
“If we win, we stop the [European] streak. If we lose, the streak keeps going. I would love to stop it, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t see it as pressure.”
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Forward of the Solheim Cup beginning on Friday, we requested Crew Europe to offer their descriptions of captain Suzann Pettersen in only one phrase
The ‘unfinished enterprise’ mantra has develop into the group motto for the USA this week, with Megan Khang determined to make her fourth Solheim Cup look a Crew USA victory.
“Some people have asked me what one word would be to describe Team USA this year, and I’m just going to say ‘hungry,’ Khang said,
“Nelly [Korda] and I clearly being on the identical quantity of Solheim Cups and never essentially getting the job carried out final 12 months sort of leaves not essentially the most effective style in your mouth.
World No 1 Nelly Korda makes her fourth consecutive Solheim Cup look and is chasing a primary victory
“Luckily, we didn’t have to wait two years. We have this year to kind of get back at it, and I can tell you now we’re more hungry than ever.”
Lexi Thompson, making her seventh and doubtlessly final Solheim Cup look, added: “There’s pressure every time we tee it up. It might be a little bit more representing our country, but it’s learning to embrace it. You’re not alone out there.
“You will have your team-mates by your facet pumping you up. In fact there’s a bit of little bit of unfinished enterprise, however we all know what we’ve to do. We now have to go on the market and play some nice golf, and we’re keen to take action and produce some constructive vitality.”
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Europe able to create historical past?
4 of the final 5 editions of the Solheim Cup have seen a profitable margin of two factors or much less, with Carlota Ciganda anticipating one other shut contest however backing Crew Europe to impress once more.
“I think that’s probably going to be more of the same,” Ciganda mentioned. “Yeah, the US group, they have been taking part in higher than us on paper, and doubtless world rankings, however I feel this week is completely different.
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Carlota Ciganda produced some scintillating golf to beat Nelly Korda within the singles and acquire the essential level wanted to retain the 2023 Solheim Cup for Europe
“You have to make those putts to win and I think, as Europeans, we all know how to do that. The US team is amazing, but I know we’re going to put up a good fight. I believe in this team, and I think we can do it.”
Crew Europe needed to struggle again from shedding the opening session in a clear sweep to retain the trophy 12 months in the past and Leona Maguire – who registered three factors from her 5 matches – believes captain Pettersen has taken numerous learnings from that efficiency.
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Will we see one other dramatic end on the Solheim Cup? Have a look again at an exciting end to final 12 months’s contest in Spain
“While we did bring back the trophy, there was a lot of things that didn’t quite go right in Spain,” Maguire admitted. “I think, to be fair to her, she was very open to feedback, and she’s taken a lot of that on board.
“I feel she’s a bit of bit calmer this time round. I feel she’s counting on her assistant captains and he or she’s trusting her personal instincts quite a bit. All people goes to have an opinion what you probably did proper and what you probably did fallacious. I feel she has to stay to her weapons and go together with what she believes is true.”
Who will win the 2024 Solheim Cup? Watch exclusively live this September on Sky Sports! Live coverage from the opening ceremony begins at 9.30pm on Thursday, with the opening day’s play live on the Friday from 11.30am. Stream the Solheim Cup and extra with NOW.
