USA captain explains ‘issues’ behind ‘house-gate’ at Solheim Cup

The Team Europe and Team USA houses have been too close for comfort at the Solheim Cup

Sonia Twigg
Thursday 12 September 2024 12:26 BST
Comments
Stacy Lewis has been forced to downplay tensions between Team Europe and Team USA
Stacy Lewis has been forced to downplay tensions between Team Europe and Team USA (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Solheim Cup will pitch Team USA against Team Europe in the 39th edition of the famous competition in Virginia, but it is the team from overseas who will be vying for their fourth successive title.

It is a highly competitive event, and the tension has only increased with the small distance between the two team houses at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.

The United States claimed the bigger of the two houses available on the golf course, making the most of their home advantage, while Team Europe have one that backs onto the driving range.

Team USA captain Stacy Lewis has had to openly minimise any “bad beef” with the opposing team, despite describing the closeness of the team rooms as “awkward”.

“The closeness is a little bit awkward with the driving range and everything being right there, but we’ve worked through a few things,” Lewis said in Wednesday’s press conference.

“We’ve worked through a few issues, but we’re in a good spot now.”

She added: Their team room kind of exploded onto the driving range a little bit, but we reeled it in. It’s all good.

“We adjusted the way the range was set up a little bit and moved the US team further down, so Europe could do what they wanted basically.

The inside of their cottage doesn’t have a lot of room for tables, so their tables have to be outside. It was just that our players were warming up and they’re there eating breakfast and talking.

“We were just trying to get everybody some space so they didn’t have to listen to them eating breakfast. There’s no bad beef.”

The Solheim Cup gets underway on Friday September 13
The Solheim Cup gets underway on Friday September 13 (Getty Images)

Sky Sports are reporting however that Team USA thought that their opponents were going against regulations in their Solheim Cup contract, and the two teams have decided to switch places on the driving range because of it.

Team Europe’s Anna Nordqvist said: “I don’t know if they [Team USA] are happy with their choice, but we’re obviously very happy to be right there on the range.

“The European team has done a fantastic job, the way they put our team room and everything together, and it’s just been such a good atmosphere with all the helpers and caddies and players and everyone involved.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in