Europe rallied back from 4-0 down to retain the Solheim Cup with a scintillating fightback, giving Luke Donald and his Ryder Cup team hope and inspiration to go and avenge their record defeat from two years ago.
Zach Johnson will also be inspired by the USA’s performance, knowing that if his side can emulate the 14-14 scoreline they’ll be returning Stateside with the trophy.
Having a Solheim Cup so near to the Ryder Cup will have been timely viewing for both captains, and they will have learned, or at least been reminded of, plenty ahead of this week’s clash in Rome.
Here’s 7 things Zach Johnson and Luke Donald will have learned…
Form is temporary, class is permanent
Lexi Thompson hit the opening tee shot and won 3 points despite an indifferent year of form
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When Stacy Lewis put Lexi Thompson out first in the morning foursomes, some eyebrows were raised.
Lexi had missed five of her last seven cuts leading into the Solheim yet found herself hitting the opening tee shot on Friday morning.
She went on to deliver 3 points from her four matches, which was the second-best points tally from the entire American side.
What will the Ryder Cup captains have learned? Maybe it will have inspired Zach Johnson to put Justin Thomas out first.
Thomas, like Thompson, hasn’t had a year to remember but he’s also an experienced Major winner who thrives when wearing the Team USA colors.
You can’t always rely on your best players
Celine Boutier lost all three of her matches
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It seems obvious and something the captains would have been aware of, but seeing it so close to the Ryder Cup will have been a reminder that just because you have one of the best players in the world, it doesn’t mean they’re going to win every match they play.
This applies with Celine Boutier, who has had one of the best seasons in the women’s game. The Frenchwoman spectacularly won her maiden Major title at the Evian Championship in July before capturing the Scottish Open the following week.
It took her to third in the world, but from three matches at Finca Cortesin she failed to register a point. Charley Hull has also been one of the world’s best players this…
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