GOLF
What players have the best records in Solheim Cup history? Appearances, matches, points...
One name stands out when assessing longevity in the golfing competition between European and the United States.
With the 2024 Solheim Cup upon us, being held from September 12-15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, interest is sparked in records from the past.
As always, the event will feature the top 12 female European golfers competing against the 12 best American golfers. The tournament format features three days of competition with a mix of fourballs, foursomes, and then the singles matches to determine the winning team.
This year, the event in Virginia marks the first time in over 20 years that the Solheim Cup has been held in back-to-back years. Team Europe currently holds the title after a 14-14 tie last year in Finca Cortesin, Málaga, Spain. This Andalusian tie, the first in the history of the duel, meant the Europeans retained the trophy following their impressive 15-13 victory at Inverness Club, Ohio, in 2021.
The defending champions must once again secure at least 14 out of the possible 28 points to retain the cup, with the Americans needing to reach the magic number of 14.5 points to claim the title back on home soil.
Solheim Cup: records for Europe and USA
The prestigious (normally) biennial female golf competition has a rich history spanning back to 1990. The player who stands out in a number of categories is Laura Davies for Team Europe, who has not only played in a record 12 Solheim Cups (three more than anyone else), she has also amassed a total of 25 points, one more than continental teammate Annika Sorenstam. For the US, Christie Kerr and Juli Inkster lead the attendance rate. Let’s take a look at them in more detail.
Laura Davies - Team Europe
Davies played 46 matches in 12 appearances for Team Europe in the Solheim Cup, participating in the years 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011.
Her overall record was 22 wins, 18 losses, and 6 draws, resulting in a 54.3% winning percentage.
Her performance in different formats was as follows:
Laura Davies: Solheim Cup record
- Fourball: 9 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws, earning 10.5 points
- Foursomes: 8 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, earning 8.5 points
- Singles: 5 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, earning 6 points
It’s interesting to note that although Davies is the all-time leader in points earned in the Solheim Cup, she has the lowest winning percentage (54.3%). This, like her overall points total, can be attributed in part due to her extensive participation in the event.
Sorenstam for her part featured in 37 matches across eight Solheim Cups: 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2007, achieving an overall record of 22-11-4 (64.9% winning percentage). Among the golfers on the Solheim Cup top players list, it is Sorenstam who has the best winning percentage. Catriona Matthew and Suzann Pettersen have played in nine cups.
Team USA
As mentioned, both Cristie Kerr (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017) and Juli Inkster (1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011) lead the way for Solheim Cup appearances for Team USA with nine.
Cristie Kerr: Solheim Cup record
- Fourball: 11-5-1 (11.5 points)
- Foursomes: 4-5-3 (5.5 points)
- Singles: 3-4-2 (4 points)
In terms of overall matches played, Kerr has the most for the Americans with 38 (a record of 18-14-6), which gives her a tally of 21 points. She is followed by Inkster on 34 (15-12-7) and Paula Creemer on 31 (17-9-5), although their positions are reversed on points, Creemer winning 19.5 for her team and Inkster 18.5.