Everything You Need to Know About The 2024 Solheim Cup

The Solheim Cup has consistently been one of the most engrossing events in golf and this year's edition promises to be no exception, but what should you know before things start on Friday? Golfshake's Derek Clements answers the key questions you may have.

When is It?

The biggest team tournament in women's golf starts on Friday, September 13 and concludes on Sunday, September 15. It is the second successive year the Solheim Cup has taken place and the first time in an even-numbered year since Team USA's victory in 2002.

Why Has The Date Changed? 

The biennial contest has switched back to even-numbered years to avoid clashing with the Ryder Cup, which moved to odd-numbered years after being postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. Both events took place in successive weeks on European soil in 2023, with the Solheim Cup taking place in back-to-back years, before reverting to a biennial contest again from 2026.

Where is it Being Played? 

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia is the venue for the 2024 contest, having previously hosted four Presidents Cups and the 2015 Quicken Loans National on the PGA Tour.

Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands will be the venue of the 2026 contest, the course used for the Dutch Open on the DP World Tour, while the 2028 edition is set to take place at the iconic Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.

Who Are The Holders? 

Team Europe hold the trophy after a dramatic 14-14 draw in last September's contest at Finca Cortesin in Spain, following a narrow win at Gleneagles in 2019 and successful defence on American soil in 2021.

There have been 18 editions of the Solheim Cup since its inception in 1990, with the USA coming out on top on 10 occasions, while Europe have won seven of them and the 2023 contest being the only tie.

Who Are The Captains?

The two captains from last year's contest in Spain retain their roles once again, with Suzann Pettersen leading Team Europe and Stacy Lewis serving as USA captain for a second time. Pettersen has Dame Laura Davies and Caroline Martens as vice-captains for this year's event, with Mel Reid also named after previously taking the role for Catriona Matthew in 2019. Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome serve as Team USA assistant captains for a second successive Solheim Cup, with Morgan Pressel and Angela Stanford completing Stacy Lewis' backroom line-up.

What is The Format?

There are 28 matches played over the three days, under three different types of matchplay - foursomes, fourballs and singles, with each match worth one point to the team total. The team that gets to 14.5 points first will win the Solheim Cup, while Europe will retain the trophy if it ends in another 14-14 draw

Foursomes sees two golfers from Europe compete against a pair from the USA, with team members alternating between shots and each team using one ball. Four matches are played on Friday morning and four on Saturday morning, beginning at 7.05am both days (12.05pm BST) and going off in 12-minute intervals.

Fourballs also sees two golfers from each team compete, but each player uses his own ball. The lowest score from each pair will count for the score for their side. There are four fourball matches each afternoon for the first two days. These are due to begin at 12.05pm (5.05pm BST) both days at 15-minute intervals.

The final day sees all 24 players compete in singles matches, where every member from the USA team plays against a European opponent in a head-to-head contest. The opening match is set to start at 8.50am (1.50pm BST) and the last at 10.40am (3.40pm BST), with matches out every 10 minutes.

Sky Sports Golf will show every shot.

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