2009 Solheim Cup Explained

Solheim Cup
Year:2009
Venue:Rich Harvest Farms
Location:Sugar Grove, Illinois
Dates:August 21–23, 2009
Logowidth:130px
Home:USA
Away:Europe
Homecaptain:Beth Daniel
Awaycaptain:Alison Nicholas
Homescore:16
Awayscore:12
Result:United States wins

The 11th Solheim Cup Matches were held August 21–23, 2009 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois, west of Chicago. The biennial matches are a three-day team competition for professional female golfers, pitting the 12 best players born in the United States against the 12 best players of European nationality.

The United States claimed the Cup for the third consecutive meeting, winning 16–12. Entering the final day, the competition was tied at 8 points each, but the U.S. won eight of the dozen singles matches to retain the Solheim Cup.[1]

Teams

The United States and European teams were selected by different methods.

Team USA qualified by earning points for wins and for top-20 finishes on the LPGA Tour over a two-year period. Points were earned beginning with the 2007 State Farm Classic and concluding with the 2009 Women's British Open. The ten players with the highest points were automatically selected for Team USA. Two additional players were selected by captain Beth Daniel after the conclusion of the Women's British Open on August 2, 2009.

Team Europe was selected by taking the top five players from the LET Solheim Cup standings, followed by the top four European LET members on the Rolex Women’s World Rankings at the agreed cut off date who were not already qualified via The Solheim Cup standings, and three captain’s selections. Qualifying points for Team Europe were awarded weekly to the top-10 finishers at official LET events.

Team USA

Notes and References

  1. Web site: United States retain Solheim Cup . 2009-08-23 . BBC Sport . 2009-08-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090824101125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8217364.stm . 24 August 2009 . live . mdy-all.