LET STARS MAKE SOLHEIM DEBUT
Many American fans will be getting their first glimpse of two of the best players on the Ladies European Tour this week in Georgia Hall and Florentyna Parker, who both hail from England and will be making their first Solheim Cup starts for Team Europe.
The 21-year-old Hall (third on the LET's Order of Merit) recently drew buzz at the Ricoh Women’s British Open, the LPGA’s fourth of five major championships, where she placed herself in contention and eventually finished T3 for her best result in a major. She has played in six LPGA tournaments this year, making the cut in all six starts and earning three top-10 finishes.
“It's kind of a dream come true for me to represent Europe and play in the Solheim Cup,” Hall said. “It's my first time, so I'm really excited to get going tomorrow. We've got a fantastic team. We get along really well, and I think it's going to get better throughout the week.”
Parker, 28, is a three-time winner on the LET and knows what it’s like to compete on the biggest stages in women’s golf. But even she admits that the first tee on Friday is something that’s hard to prepare for.
“I think this is going to be even more special because of obviously all the spectators we're expecting and the fans, obviously there will be more one-sided, but I think we need to turn that into a positive and basically enjoy that first tee,” said Parker. “And I think it's something we won't forget.”
BACK TO HER ROOTS
Jodi Ewart Shadoff said that Mel Reid and her other teammates at the 2016 UL International Crown gave her grief for losing her English accent, and she’s been “trying really hard to be English” this week. Ewart Shadoff resides in the United States and has played on the LPGA Tour since 2011.
“She's actually been pretty easy on me this week,” Ewart Shadoff said of Reid. “I think I got it a little bit harder at the UL International Crown last year. But I haven't gotten it that bad this week, yet.”
Playing in her second Solheim Cup, Ewart Shadoff could be an integral part of this year’s team as she enters the week as the fourth highest ranked player for the Europeans at No. 29 (began year at No. 59). She has three top 10s on the LPGA in 2017 and is fresh off of a runner-up finish at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
LEXI SAYS HEALTH IS NO CONCERN
Lexi Thompson has been asked how she is feeling all week after it was reported she was battling a virus. After a few days of rest, the No. 2 player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings says she is ready to go for the first day of Solheim Cup play.
“I've still been practicing, playing, but really just taking it easy, not grinding away on the golf course, but still out here swinging,” Thompson said. “But making sure I take the time back at the hotel and just relax my body and making sure I'm energized for the most important rounds coming up.”
BATTLING COMPLACENCY
Many believe that Team USA are the heavy favorites now that World No. 23 and eight-time European Solheim Cup Team member Suzann Pettersen has been sidelined with a back injury. Experienced American players Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller downplayed that notion on Thursday on the eve of play.
“I don't think that's a word that's even been spoken,” said Lewis of becoming complacent. “I mean, Juli has been on us about playing our games and working hard. She gave us hard hats to start the week. We're here to do our work, and that's kind of the model we took into Germany.
“And it doesn't matter who we're playing against. Catriona is just as tough of a player as Suzann is. I don't care what rankings or anything say. That's the hardest part about match play – rankings don't matter. It doesn't matter how many Solheim Cups you've played.”
PILLER’S RECOUNTS MOMENT IN HISTORY
Gerina Piller’s clutch putt to defeat Caroline Masson in singles play in 2015 will be remembered forever when people talk about the Roswell, N.M., native’s career. Piller said she it’s already been two years since that moment as she prepares to compete in her third Solheim Cup this week.
“it's just kind of a big motivator for me and a big confidence boost, especially my putting, growing up and not being known as a great putter and to make that putt for the team was huge for my career and for my confidence,” Piller said. “So I'm just excited to be back and hopefully we'll have more of those putts go in.”
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