The Solheim Cup's Most Controversial Moments, Explained

The Solheim Cup celebrates its 20th edition this year, and the biennial matches have produced as many arguments over rulings and etiquette as they have memorable golf. Some of the sport's most talked-about disputes have come from the event's tightest moments.

What happened with Annika Sorenstam's chip in 2000?

At Loch Lomond in 2000, Sorenstam holed a chip shot while partnered with Janice Moodie in a four-ball match against Pat Hurst and Kelly Robbins. Team USA argued she had played out of turn, and U.S. captain Pat Bradley ordered the shot replayed. Sorenstam missed the second attempt, and Europe lost the match. Bradley later told Golfweek she stood by the ruling, saying she was simply honoring the rules of the game.

Why did Catrin Nilsmark's comments cause a stir in 2002?

Nilsmark wasn't playing in the 2002 matches but drew attention after criticizing several U.S. players on a Swedish website, including remarks about Cristie Kerr and Michele Redman. The LPGA translated and distributed the comments in the U.S. team's locker room, and European players reportedly apologized to U.S. captain Patty Sheehan before the matches began. Team USA won that Cup with a comeback in singles play.

What did Dottie Pepper say on a hot mic in 2007?

Broadcasting from Sweden, Pepper referred to U.S. players as choking during Saturday afternoon play, unaware her microphone was live. The comment followed a stretch in which the Americans had squandered leads and halved several matches. Pepper addressed the remark on air the next morning, saying she had chosen her words poorly while standing by her broader point. Team USA went on to win the Cup, 16-12.

What went wrong in Colorado in 2013?

The 2013 matches at Colorado Golf Club produced two separate disputes. Rules officials took 25 minutes to rule on a drop for Carlota Ciganda in a Friday four-ball match, ultimately awarding her 40 yards of relief rather than two club-lengths, a decision the LPGA later admitted was wrong. A day later, Sorenstam was accused of relaying advice to Paula Creamer through a European caddie on the seventh hole, though the LPGA ruled no violation had occurred.

How did Suzann Pettersen's 2015 concession backfire?

At St. Leon-Rot in 2015, rookie Alison Lee picked up an 18-inch putt she believed had been conceded. Pettersen told a rules official the putt had not been given, costing Lee and partner Brittany Lincicome the hole and the match. Team USA responded the next day with the largest comeback in Solheim Cup history, rallying from four points down to win 8½ of a possible 9 points in singles.

What was the ruling on Nelly Korda's ball in 2021?

During four-ball play at Inverness Club, Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom picked up Korda's ball on the par-5 13th after Korda's eagle putt stopped short, believing the hole was conceded. Officials ruled the ball had been overhanging the cup and was removed before Korda's 10-second waiting period expired, so her third shot counted as holed under Rule 13.3b. The change turned her birdie into an eagle and shifted momentum toward the Americans.

Korda called the ruling "the worst way to win a hole."

What happened to fans at the 2024 matches?

Day 1 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club was overshadowed by a shuttle bus shortage that left fans waiting two to three hours in a parking lot to reach the course, with locked porta-potties adding to the frustration. Officials eventually allowed fans to take rideshares from the lot to the main gate.