8 Reasons to Watch The 2023 Solheim Cup

Golf fans across the world are in for an alluring fortnight as the Solheim Cup is swiftly followed by the Ryder Cup to guarantee two weeks of golf at its absolute finest.

The Solheim Cup has been an incredible event since its inception in 1990, and the 2023 edition will be the 18th in the cup’s history.

In contemporary times, the Solheim Cup has been fiercely contested and the standard of golf is undoubtedly improving after each instalment.

If you’re not quite convinced of the Solheim Cup yet - which you really should be - allow us to explain why this year’s competition is simply unmissable.

Girls’ Got Game

The standard of golf demonstrated by the 24 selected players should be reason alone to tune in during tournament week.

Both the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour have seen a surge of investment since the turn of the millennium, which has helped produce world-class players whose mission is to thrill.

The Solheim Cup introduces a team environment like no other event in women’s professional golf, and we often see standards raised when each player is fighting for the other 11 members of their beloved team.

Four players competing across the week are currently ranked in the top 10 throughout the world, so we know we are set for a highly competitive three days on the Costa del Sol.

Us vs Them

Team-based sports fans will understand the tribalism that takes over once play has officially begun - and it’s contagious to say the least!

Whilst many golf fans will have their favourite golfer, rarely do we get to support a team, which brings a new element of excitement into the sport.

Similarly to the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup successfully separates the two teams into a ‘us v them’ mentality, and the outrageous celebrations are a testament to that thought.

Whether blue or red is victorious matters not, as the wild celebrations come Sunday afternoon will leave one team in ecstasy and the other in prolonged agony.

Finca Cortesin

This year’s host is one of the most prestigious golf courses to reside in Spain and Finca Cortesin completely deserves their moment in the limelight.

The Costa del Sol provides the perfect environment for competitive golf; the awe-inspiring golf course is home to many holes that will make or break a team across the weekend.

Furthermore, Finca Cortesin has received many accolades since its inception in 2007, often being referred to as Spain’s Best Golf Course and Spain’s Best Golf Hotel.

Let us not forget that Finca Cortesin previously hosted the Match Play Championship, which highlights the quality that will be awaiting the women when Friday morning arrives.

First Visit to Spain

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Remarkably, the 2023 cup will be contested in Spain for the first time in the competition’s history, which is startling to say the least.

The country is home to a collection of world-class venues and there is little doubt that Spain won’t culminate the week as the ‘second winner’.

This year’s edition will mean a lot to all members, but specifically Carlota Ciganda - the Spanish golfer who would love nothing more than to secure the winning putt come Sunday afternoon.

Ciganda will be making her 6th appearance in the Solheim Cup and she’ll know what it takes to ensure Sunday’s theme is blue.

Considering the prestige of golf in Spain and the passion felt by their residents, it’s safe to say that the Solheim Cup could be making a swift return.  

A Calming Atmosphere

The Ryder Cup is notorious for attracting rowdy crowds, who are seemingly drunk before the first ball is struck in the early AM!

Whilst you can expect plenty of banter at the Solheim Cup, the spectators are usually more chilled, which creates a relaxed environment.

The Solheim Cup is perfect for families or even those new to golf and it often acts as someone’s first taste of live professional golf.

If team-based golf interests you but you’re deterred from the disruptive fans typically found at the Ryder Cup, then the Solheim Cup should produce a more enjoyable experience for you.

Win, Win, Win

It’s imperative that all golfers who enter tournaments believe that they can win. After all, success on the golf course requires a resilient mind and mental thinking.

However, the Solheim Cup elevates that dramatically, and we often see a touch of controversy throughout the week.

Europe’s Captain, Suzann Pettersen, was embroiled in controversy during the 2015 edition when Alison Lee, an American player, picked up her ball before Pettersen had given her the putt.

Ultimately, Lee had to concede the hole and it left her in tears, but the Americans used that to spur on a fantastic comeback.

Can we expect more of this during the 2023 cup?

O Captain, My Captain!

We know that Suzann Pettersen is the ultimate competitor who will do just about anything within the confines of the rules to win the Solheim Cup.

When she ended her career at the 2019 Solheim Cup, she bowed out as an absolute hero as it was her putt that secured the cup for Europe.

Stacy Lewis stands in her way of making the Solheim Cup a truly special place for Petterson, and the American is a fierce competitor of her own.

Lewis is a two-time major champion and she will demand the absolute best from her team of stalwarts - but Pettersen will expect the exact same from her girls in blue.  

Who Will Win?

Although the last Ryder Cup was fairly unpredictable before play, the one-sided contest somewhat ruined the fun for ardent European supporters.

The Solheim Cup has traditionally produced much closer affairs compared to their male counterparts, and this year should be no different.

In three of the last four editions, the winning margin has been no more than two points, which highlights just how competitive this competition is.

It could very well come down to the final few matches late Sunday afternoon, which then generates the contest into a test of nerves and willingness to win.

The Solheim Cup is a fantastic spectacle that has a history of producing remarkable moments throughout the weekend.

Whether you’re rooting for team blue or red, the level of respect that is - typically(!) - shown to one another is another reason to tune in.

Can Europe win their third consecutive event for the first time in the history of the cup, or will America triumph after six years of sorrow?