Europe’s women’s golf team is gearing up for a challenging week as they prepare to face a fiercely partisan American crowd at the Solheim Cup in Virginia. Former European captain Mickey Walker has warned that the home crowd will be “absolutely desperate” for the United States to reclaim the trophy.
Last year’s 14-14 tie in Spain, the first draw in the event’s 34-year history, allowed Europe to retain the Solheim Cup following victories in Scotland in 2019 and Ohio in 2021. However, no team has managed to hold onto the trophy for four consecutive tournaments, and Europe has only won twice in the nine previous contests held in the U.S.
“The Americans will feel it is essential to win, and it’s going to be difficult for Europe because it can get quite hostile,” said Walker, who led Europe to their first victory in 1992. “The American crowds will be out there to win it. It will be very pro-American, and that will be really tough.”
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Walker, who captained Europe in the first four Solheim Cups, expressed concern about the increasing intensity of partisan behavior, fearing it could negatively impact the Solheim and Ryder Cups. She recalled feeling “intimidated” as a spectator at the 2009 Solheim Cup in Chicago and expressed her unease about the direction the event is taking.
The Ryder Cup has also faced similar issues, with European players and their families experiencing abuse from some U.S. fans at Whistling Straits in 2021. Former European captain Padraig Harrington acknowledged the impact of home crowds, noting that fan behavior, alongside course setup, plays a significant role in the outcome of these events.
John Solheim, whose family has sponsored the tournament since its inception in 1990, echoed Walker’s concerns. While he recognized the importance of an American victory, he emphasized the need for a competitive and respectful contest. “It’s extremely important to the Americans to win it back, but it doesn’t really matter to me who wins,” Solheim told BBC Sport. “I just want a close match.”
As the Solheim Cup approaches, all eyes will be on Virginia to see how both teams handle the pressure and whether Europe can overcome the odds to defend their title on American soil.
