2024 Solheim Cup: US team ‘hungry’ and ready to face European team for ‘unfinished business’ | Golf News

USA captain Stacy Lewis insists her “hungry” team are ready to tackle “unfinished business” and end Team Europe’s unbeaten run in the Solheim Cup.

Team USA has not won the Solheim Cup since 2017, with Europe following back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2021 by retaining the title with a dramatic 14-14 draw in Spain last September.

Lewis remains captain for this year’s competition at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, where she is determined to see Team USA return to winning ways, but without feeling the added pressure of being the favourite.

“This team is hungry and they want to have fun,” Lewis said. “These girls want this trophy and they want to win. They talk about it from time to time, but I think they just need to have fun, have fun and relax.

“From what I’ve seen at the Solheim Cups and the teams I’ve been a part of, the ones who are the most relaxed, the ones who are having fun behind the scenes, those are the ones who have been on the winning teams.

“So we put a lot of emphasis on what happens in the team room, what happens on the bus. Whatever they need to do to stay relaxed. I’ll provide them with whatever they need to play good golf. But the motivation is there. They work hard and they want to win this event.

“If we win, we end the (European) series. If we lose, the series continues. I would like to end it, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t see it as pressure.”

The mantra “unfinished business” has become the motto for Team USA this week, with Megan Khang desperate to make her fourth Solheim Cup appearance a Team USA victory.

“Some people have asked me what word would describe Team USA this year, and I would just say ‘hungry,’” Khang said.

“The fact that Nelly (Korda) and I have competed in the same number of Solheim Cups and we didn’t necessarily get the job done last year doesn’t necessarily leave the best taste in our mouths.

“Luckily, we didn’t have to wait two years. We have this year to get back to work and I can tell you we are hungrier than ever.”

Lexi Thompson, who was competing in her seventh and possibly final Solheim Cup, added: “There’s pressure every time we step out on the court. Maybe it’s about representing our country a little bit more, but you have to learn to accept it. You’re not alone out there.”

“You have your teammates by your side to motivate you. Of course, there are still some tasks to be done, but we know what we have to do. We have to play great golf and we are ready to do it and bring positive energy.”

Europe ready to write history?

Four of the last five editions of the Solheim Cup have seen a winning margin of two points or less, with Carlota Ciganda expecting another close encounter but hoping the European team will impress again.

“I think it’s probably going to be the same,” Ciganda said. “Yes, Team USA played better than us on paper, and probably in the world rankings, but I think this week is different.

“You have to make those putts to win and I think as Europeans we all know how to do that. The American team is unbelievable, but I know we’re going to fight. I believe in this team and I think we can do it.”

The European side had to fight back after losing the opening session in a slam to retain the trophy 12 months ago and Leona Maguire – who has three points from five games – believes captain Pettersen has learned plenty from that performance.

“Even though we brought home the trophy, there were a lot of things that didn’t work in Spain,” Maguire admitted. “I think, to be fair to her, she was very open to feedback and she took a lot of it on board.

“I think she’s a little calmer this time around. I think she relies on her assistant captains and she trusts her instincts a lot. Everybody’s going to have an opinion on what you did right and what you did wrong. I think she has to stick to her guns and do what she thinks is right.”

Who will win the 2024 Solheim Cup? Watch it live exclusively in September on Sky Sports! The Opening Ceremony live stream starts at 9:30pm on Thursday, with the opening day live on Friday from 11:30am. Stream the Solheim Cup and more with NOW.