The Solheim Cup is one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the women’s golfing calendar, so it goes without saying that players want to do their very best for their country and continent. However, over the years many a match has become heated when, in the moment, a player (or pairing) has made a controversial decision to get the upper hand on their opponent.
Solheim spats are as much a part of the Cup as the memorable shots or moments that won. Controversy has followed the tournament since the beginnings. Here are a few of the regrettable moments from over the years.
1992: Dalmahoy, Scotland: A Dodgy Wet Weather Decision
You have to flash back just over thirty years ago to recall one of the first well-documented Solheim Cup controversies. England’s now Dame Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas were playing America’s ‘big guns’ Beth Daniel and Betsy King in 1992. If you read Dame Laura’s “dream team” in the latest issue of Golf Monthly you’ll hear her recall how nervous she and Alison were as young players in those early years as a pairing.
In the latter part of their match the Americans asked for a squeegee from just off the green on a rather wet Scottish day, Davies put her foot down and insisted it shouldn’t be allowed as their ball was actually off the green on the fringe. As Daniel and King waited for a second opinion, Davies said she’d go ahead and hit. When the American’s protested at her actions Nicholas told them to “shut it,” King got fiery mad at her good friend. Daniel said it was ultimately a misunderstanding, but tempers flared.
Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas celebrate a holed putt at the 1992 Solheim Cup
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2000 Loch Lomond, Scotland: Sorenstam Chips In Out of Turn
When Annika Sorenstam holed a 25-foot chip shot to halve the 13th hole in a match against Kelly Robbins and Pat Hurst the crowds erupted. Little did she know it wouldn’t count! Robbins said she had played out of turn and she should have gone first.
US captain Pat Bradley stepped in and decided to make Sorenstam replay the shot, which caused angry feelings among the Europeans and some regret and embarrassment for the American…
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