Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster aims to cut out the 'rah-rah stuff'
U.S. Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster wants to cut the crap and for her 12 charges to have a more business-like approach to the biennial matches against Europe.
The American side has lost the last two Solheim Cups, including in for the first time at home in 2013. The U.S. hasn't won in Europe since 2007. In other words, the recent record shows that the familiar American approach of wearing pony-tail ribbons, face painting and butt bumping isn't working. In fact, it may have motivated their European foes.
So, this week in Germany, Inkster wants to put that aside.
“Juli said ‘No more of this rah-rah stuff,’” said Lizette Salas.
After all, it's a road game.
“We're not here to pump up the crowds and do all that," said Stacy Lewis of Inkster's message. "We're here to win this thing. It's more business-like.”
The top-ranked American player believes it's also an indication of some maturity among a team that returns 11 of 12 players from the 2013 drubbing in Colorado.
“I think everybody's grown up,” Lewis said. “Hopefully, everybody is past all the tattoos and the face paint and all that. Paula (Creamer) is still wearing her hair ribbons and all that, but it's just growing up a little bit and knowing that you don't need to go crazy and get the crowd going all the time. We've come here with a mission. That's basically what it is.”
Salas said that the time not spent on those things will allow the American side to focus on golf.
“I think it's a lot of excess energy that's used on, ‘Where do I put this tattoo?’ or ‘Does this ribbon match this outfit?’" Salas said. "None of that. We go out and handle our business and play the best golf that we can. I think it's working.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
