Solheim Cup records, facts and figures for the United States and Europe

CASARES, Spain — We’re just a day away from the upcoming matches and a bit of Solheim Cup history has already been made this year.

The Europeans are primed to win a third consecutive Solheim Cup as the 2023 matches head to Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Spain, but a stout American lineup stands in the way.

Leading the United States will be 38-year-old Stacy Lewis, who set the mark as the youngest U.S. captain. Patty Sheehan had the previous record of 45 years old in 2002. The youngest-ever captain? That’d be Europe’s 2003 leader, Catrin Nilsmark, at 36 years, 13 days.

Dating back to the inaugural event in 1990, the Solheim Cup has been contested 17 times around the world. From Colorado to Germany, Florida to Scotland, a total of 444 matches have been played, and the U.S. holds a slight advantage. The Americans have won 196 matches to Europe’s 181 wins, with 67 matches tied. That means the two sides are separated by just 15 points all-time: U.S.: 229½ points; Europe: 214½.

The U.S. has dominated singles (97-71-28), but has a losing record in both foursomes (49-59-27) and fourball (50-51-22).

If you’re a fan of fun facts and figures, take a deeper look at the history of the Solheim Cup.

Most points and appearances

You can’t tell the history of golf without highlighting the career of Dame Laura Davies. A Solheim Cup legend, Davies made 12 appearances for Team Europe from the inaugural event in 1990 to her final as a player in 2011. The Englishwoman earned a 22-18-6 record to hold the mark for 25 points won.

Davies made her debut as a non-playing assistant captain at the age of 55 in 2019 on Catriona Matthew’s staff and returned in the same position in 2021.

Most points won by match type

Singles points won: 7

Juli Inkster has been an important figure for the U.S. side over the years and boasts an impressive 6-1-2 record in singles play. Her lone loss came to Helen Alfredsson, 2 and 1, in the 1998 matches won by the U.S., 16-12.

Foursomes points won: 11½

Annika Sorenstam racked up 11½ of her 24 points in foursomes matches over her eight appearances for the Europeans. Her only losing record (11-3-1 total in foursomes) with a partner came with Catriona Matthew.

• Catriona Matthew: 2-3-0

• Suzann Pettersen: 2-0-0

• Carin Koch: 3-0-0

• Janice Moodie: 2-0-0

• Catrin Nilsmark: 2-0-1

Fourball points won: 11½

Cristie Kerr earned 21 points of her own for the Americans over nine appearances, and features a losing record in fourball (11-5-1 overall) with just one partner:

• Morgan Pressel: 1-2-0

• Lexi Thompson: 2-0-1

• Paula Creamer: 2-0-0

• Kelli Kuehne: 2-0-0

• Natalie Gulbis: 1-0-0

• Rosie Jones: 1-1-0

• Nicole Castrale: 1-1-0

• Michelle Wie West: 1-1-0

Top point percentage*

*Minimum three Solheim Cup matches

Most points in a single contest

Just one player has gone a perfect 5-0-0 at the Solheim Cup.

Caroline Hedwall had a weekend to remember in 2013 at Colorado Golf Club as she led the Europeans to an 18-10 victory with an unblemished five-point performance. Before defeating Michelle Wie West 1 up on Sunday, Hedwall went 2-0-0 with Anna Nordqvist in foursomes and 2-0-0 with Caroline Masson in fourball.

Oldest and youngest players

Oldest players

USA: Juli Inkster, 51 years, 91 days (2011)

Europe: Catriona Matthew, 47 years, 358 days (2017)

Youngest players

Europe: Charley Hull, 17 years, 149 days (2013)

USA: Lexi Thompson, 18 years, 187 days (2013)

Holes-in-one

Just one hole-in-one has been made in the event’s 33-year history. Anna Nordqvist aced the par-3 17th at Colorado Golf Club in a 2013 foursomes match alongside Caroline Hedwall. The Europeans beat Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda, 2 and 1.

Largest margins of victory

United States

Nine U.S. matches have ended with a 6-and-5 victory, three in Sunday Singles: Dottie Pepper (1994), Laura Diaz (2005) and Brittany Lang (2011).

Europe

Cristie Kerr conceded a match against Karen Stupples at the start in 2011 due to injury, which resulted in a 10-and-8 win for Stupples.

Story originally appeared on GolfWeek