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Solheim Cup history, results from all 18 previous matches

The golf bags for Team USA and Team Europe during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares, Spain. (Photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The golf bags for Team USA and Team Europe during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares, Spain. (Photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Over 18 competitions spread across the last 34 years, the best women's golfers from the United States and Europe have dazzled fans at some of the world's best golf courses at the Solheim Cup.

While the U.S. may hold the all-time mark in the biennial bash at 10-7-1, the Europeans are the current class of the competition as they haven't lost the Cup since 2017.

Curious about the history of the Solheim Cup?

Take a scroll through each event below to learn about the past captains, top performers, results and more.

2023

Team Europe poses for a group photo with the Solheim Cup after defeating Team USA during Day Three of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 24, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Location: Finca Cortesin, Andalusia, Spain

Winner: Teams tied 15–15 but Europe retained by virtue of its 2021 win

Europe captain: Suzann Pettersen

U.S. captain: Stacy Lewis

Best performer: Carlota Ciganda (Europe), 4 points out of a possible 4.

So much of the 18th Solheim Cup centered around the opposing styles of captains Stacy Lewis and Suzann Pettersen. While Lewis worked to keep everyone fresh after jumping out to an historic 4-0 start, Pettersen played catch-up by putting out her best every session. In the end, no amount of planning and strategizing could stop destiny. Walking down the 16th hole, Pettersen turned to her longtime friend Carlota Ciganda and said, “Is this how you wanted it? It’s all yours.” With the hopes of a nation on her back, Ciganda birdied the 16th and stuffed one inside an already close Nelly Korda on the par-3 17th to win the match and retain the Cup for Europe.

2021

Location: Inverness Club

Winner: Europe, 15–13

Europe captain: Catriona Matthew

U.S. captain: Pat Hurst

Best performer: European Leona Maguire, 4 ½ points out of a possible 5.

Rookie Leona Maguire was lights out for the European side and performed like a five-Cup veteran all week in Toledo. The Irishwoman defeated Jennifer Kupcho with ease, 5 and 4, in Sunday Singles and led the charge as one of five Euros to score more than 2 points.

The Americans trailed from the first session and won only once with two sessions halved despite the fact that each of the 12 players contributed with at least 1 point.

2019

Location: Gleneagles

Winner: Europe, 14 ½–13 ½

Europe captain: Catriona Matthew

U.S. captain: Juli Inkster

Best performer: Europeans Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall, 4 points out of a possible 4.

The event will forever be remembered for Suzann Pettersen's epic put. Jessica and Nelly Korda became the first sisters to be paired together in a Solheim Cup during Friday Foursomes and were 5-up through seven holes before ultimately winning, 6 and 4. At least one match was flipped by three holes or more in every session, and the overall match was tied at 8 entering Sunday Singles. After an early American charge, the Europeans won the final three matches to win the session, 6 ½–5 ½, and claim the Cup for the first time since 2013.

2017

Location: Des Moines Golf and Country Club

Winner: United States, 16 ½ - 11 ½

U.S. captain: Juli Inkster

Europe captain: Annika Sorenstam

Best performer(s): American Cristie Kerr, 3 ½ points out of a possible 4; European Anna Nordqvist, 3 ½ points out of a possible 4.

After losing Friday Foursomes the U.S. swept the afternoon Fourball session to the point that a European pairing was never leading. From there the U.S. rolled to a second consecutive victory and Cristie Kerr took the top spot on the U.S. all-time points list with 19, replacing Juli Inkster (18 ½).

2015

2015: Cristie Kerr of Team USA holds the Solheim Cup trophy at the closing ceremony at St Leon-Rot Golf Club on September 20, 2015 in St Leon-Rot, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
2015: Cristie Kerr of Team USA holds the Solheim Cup trophy at the closing ceremony at St Leon-Rot Golf Club on September 20, 2015 in St Leon-Rot, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Location: Golf Club St. Leon-Rot

Winner: United States, 14 ½ – 13 ½

U.S. captain: Juli Inkster

Europe captain: Carin Koch

Best performer: European Charley Hull, 4 points out of a possible 5.

The Europeans held a commanding 10-6 lead after a pair of 3-1 drubbings and two ties in the first four sessions. That meant the Americans needed 8 ½ points out of 12 to reclaim the Cup, and that's exactly what happened as Paula Creamer put the cherry on top of the biggest comeback in Solheim Cup history with the final point.

2013

Caroline Hedwall of team Europe is interviewed after earning the fourteenth match point during the final round of the 2013 Solheim Cup at the Colorado Golf Club. (Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Caroline Hedwall of team Europe is interviewed after earning the fourteenth match point during the final round of the 2013 Solheim Cup at the Colorado Golf Club. (Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Location: Colorado Golf Club

Winner: Europe, 18–10

Europe captain: Liselotte Neumann

U.S. captain: Meg Mallon

Best performer: European Caroline Hedwall, 5 points out of a possible 5.

The Europeans made history with a massive 18-10 result to win the Solheim Cup for the first time ever in the United States, retaining the Cup for the first time since the competition began in 1990 with the largest margin of victory in the event's history. Anna Nordqvist became the first player to make a hole-in-one in Solheim Cup history and Caroline Hedwall became the first player to win five matches in a single competition.

2011

Location: Killeen Castle Golf Resort

Winner: Europe, 15–13

Europe captain: Alison Nicholas

U.S. captain: Rosie Jones

Best performer(s): American Morgan Pressel, 4 points out of a possible 4; European Sophie Gustafson, 4 points out of a possible 4.

A young European team with five rookies held on strong against the three-time defending champion Americans and the teams were tied entering Sunday singles. Cristie Kerr was forced to concede her match due to injury before it began, resulting in a 10-and-8 win for Karen Stupples. The Europeans won two of the last three matches to claim the Cup for the first time since 2003.

2009

Team USA poses with the Solheim Cup, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. Team USA won 16-12 to retain the Cup.
Team USA poses with the Solheim Cup, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. Team USA won 16-12 to retain the Cup.

Location: Rich Harvest Farms

Winner: United States, 16–12

U.S. captain: Beth Daniel

Europe captain: Alison Nicholas

Best performer(s): American Michelle Wie, 3 ½ points out of a possible 4; European Gwladys Nocera, 3 ½ points out of a possible.

The U.S. made it a three-peat in seemingly convincing fashion thanks to a dominant Sunday Singles performance that saw the Americans claim 8 of the 12 points available, but entering the final day the match was all square at 8. A 19-year-old rookie, Michelle Wie, earned 3 ½ points and went 3-0-1.

2007

U.S. team members ride a buggy a wave flags on the 17th fairway in the Solheim Cup at the Halmstad golf course near Halmstad, Sweden, Sunday Sept. 16, 2007. The U.S. defeated Europe 16-11 to retain the Solheim Cup in the 3 day event.
U.S. team members ride a buggy a wave flags on the 17th fairway in the Solheim Cup at the Halmstad golf course near Halmstad, Sweden, Sunday Sept. 16, 2007. The U.S. defeated Europe 16-11 to retain the Solheim Cup in the 3 day event.

Location: Halmstad GK

Winner: United States, 16–12

U.S. captain: Betsy King

Europe captain: Helen Alfredsson

Best performer: American Paula Creamer, 3 ½ points out of a possible 5.

Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome make their debuts for the U.S. but it was Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster who led the way for the Americans to retain the Cup. The Americans trailed by a point entering Sunday and even lost the first singles match of the day. From there they won eight of the next 11 matches to roll the session 8 ½ - 3 ½ and take the Cup, 16-12.

2005

Captain Nancy Lopez celebrates after the USA won the 2005 Solheim Cup at Crooked Stick Golf Club, on September 11, 2005 in Carmel, Indiana. The USA won the Solheim Cup 15.5 to 12.5. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Captain Nancy Lopez celebrates after the USA won the 2005 Solheim Cup at Crooked Stick Golf Club, on September 11, 2005 in Carmel, Indiana. The USA won the Solheim Cup 15.5 to 12.5. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Location: Crooked Stick Golf Club

Winner: United States, 15 ½ – 12 ½

U.S. captain: Nancy Lopez

Europe captain: Catrin Nilsmark

Best performer: European Annika Sorenstam, 4 points out of a possible 5.

The U.S. was cruising early in Friday foursomes but the Euros flipped the session to take a 3-1 lead before tying the afternoon Fourball session to maintain their edge. The U.S. squared the match with a 3-1 win of their own Saturday morning before yet another tie in the afternoon saw the teams squared at eight points apiece with 12 singles matches to go. Come Sunday the Americans claimed the first five matches in convincing fashion before the Euros fought back in the second half of the session. In the end, Meg Mallon's 3-and-1 win over Karen Stupples sealed the 15 ½ - 12 ½ victory for the U.S.

2003

Location: Barseback Golf & Country Club

Winner: Europe, 17 ½ – 10 ½

Europe captain: Catrin Nilsmark

U.S. captain: Patty Sheehan

Best performer(s): Europeans Suzann Pettersen and Annika Sorenstam, 4 points out of a possible 5.

The Solheim Cup moved to odd years and after yet another loss to the Americans, the Euros came out swinging in 2003. Five players earned three-or-more points as the Euros rolled to a 17 ½ - 10½ win after a handful of concessions on Sunday.

The U.S. trailed by three entering the final session and the match was decided in the sixth game when Catriona Matthew defeated Rosie Jones, 3 and 1.

The remaining five matches on the course were conceded, with four ending 1 up while Laura Diaz rolled Elisabeth Esterl, 5 and 4. The match between Laura Davies and Meg Mallon was tied when the Cup was mathematically out of reach, and the lone reason Davies won for the Euros was because Mallon was the first to concede.

2002

Rosie Jones and Meg Mallon of the USA celebrate as they walk up the bank to the clubhouse greeted by fans after winning the 2002 Solheim Cup between USA and Europe held at the Interlachen Golf Club in Edina, Minnesota, USA on September 22, 2002. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Rosie Jones and Meg Mallon of the USA celebrate as they walk up the bank to the clubhouse greeted by fans after winning the 2002 Solheim Cup between USA and Europe held at the Interlachen Golf Club in Edina, Minnesota, USA on September 22, 2002. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Location: Interlachen Country Club

Winner: United States, 15 ½ – 12 ½

U.S. captain: Patty Sheehan

Europe captain: Dale Reid

Best performer: European Carin Koch, 4 ½ points out of a possible 5.

Tied after Friday's two sessions, the U.S. won Saturday foursomes, 3-1, before getting blanked in the afternoon session, 4-0, to trail by two entering Sunday.

Stop me if you've heard this one before, but the U.S. rolled in Singles, winning 8 ½ out of 12 points for yet another win, 15 ½ - 12 ½.

2000

2000: Team Europe celebrates winning the Solheim Cup 14.5 points to 11.5 points at the Loch Lomond GC, Loch Lomond, Scotland. (Photo: Stuart Franklin/Allsport)
2000: Team Europe celebrates winning the Solheim Cup 14.5 points to 11.5 points at the Loch Lomond GC, Loch Lomond, Scotland. (Photo: Stuart Franklin/Allsport)

Location: Loch Lomond Golf Club

Winner: Europe, 14 ½ – 11 ½

Europe captain: Dale Reid

U.S. captain: Pat Bradley

Best performer(s): American Kelly Robbins, 3 points out of a possible 4; Europeans Carin Koch and Catrin Nilsmark, 3 points out of a possible 3.

The Euros swept Friday morning Foursomes and held a five-point lead entering Sunday Singles, 9 ½ - 4 ½. The U.S. won five of the first eight Sunday matches, tied two and lost one to tighten the overall score before Carin Koch, who was three down to Michele Redman, made the winning putt to clinch her match, 2 and 1, and reclaim the Cup for the Euros for a second time.

1998

1998: Dottie Pepper of the USA is congratulated by Juli Inkster on the 18th after the morning's foursome in the 1998 Solheim Cup played at Muirfield Village, Dublin, Ohio, USA. (Photo: Craig Jones/Allsport)
1998: Dottie Pepper of the USA is congratulated by Juli Inkster on the 18th after the morning's foursome in the 1998 Solheim Cup played at Muirfield Village, Dublin, Ohio, USA. (Photo: Craig Jones/Allsport)

Location: Muirfield Village

Winner: United States, 16–12

U.S. captain: Judy Rankin

Europe captain: Pia Nilsson

Best performer: American Dottie Pepper, 4 points out of a possible 4.

Captain's picks were introduced for the first time – five for the Euros, two for the U.S. – as the Americans rolled once again having never trailed en route to a comfortable 16-12 win. Despite never trailing in the matches, the Euros made it interesting on Sunday with four opening wins in singles to close the gap before the U.S. won five of the next six matches.

1996

Location: St. Pierre Golf & Country Club

Winner: United States, 17–11

U.S. Captain: Judy Rankin

Europe Captain: Mickey Walker

Best performer: European Annika Sorenstam, 4 points out of a possible 5.

In year four the event grew to 12 players and 28 points with five sessions, two on Friday, two on Saturday and Sunday singles.

The U.S. led after Friday, 5-3, but the Euros flipped the script and took a two-point lead of their own after a strong Saturday. Come Sunday the U.S. rolled through Singles again, earning 10 of 12 points to retain the Cup, 17-11.

1994

Location: The Greenbrier

Winner: United States, 13–7

U.S. captain: JoAnne Carner

Europe captain: Mickey Walker

Best performer(s): Americans Brandie Burton and Dottie Pepper, 3 points out of a possible 3.

The event moved to total 20 points with an extra foursome and fourball match on Friday and Saturday, up to five from four the previous two events. The match was tied, 5-5, entering Sunday Singles after the Euros won Foursomes and Americans won Fourball. Helen Alfredsson put an early point on the board for the Euros in the first match, but the Americans ran away with the win after claiming eight of the next nine matches to seal the deal, 13-7, and reclaim the Cup.

1992

The European team celebrate during the Solheim Cup in 1992 at the Dalmahoy Golf Course in Scotland. (Photo By Stephen Munday/Getty Images)
The European team celebrate during the Solheim Cup in 1992 at the Dalmahoy Golf Course in Scotland. (Photo By Stephen Munday/Getty Images)

Location: Dalmahoy Country Club

Winner: Europe, 11 ½ – 6 ½

Europe captain: Mickey Walker

U.S. captain: Kathy Whitworth

Best performer: European Laura Davies, 3 points out of a possible 3.

U.S. captain Kathy Whitworth returned to the states when her mother passed away the day the team arrived and was replaced by LPGA President Alice Miller. The teams were increased to eight players, and European captain Mickey Walker returned seven players from the previous matches to take their revenge and win the Cup for a first time, 11 ½ - 6 ½. The U.S. lost the Friday Foursomes by one point and drew the Euros in Saturday Fourball, but come Sunday Singles the Euros won the first three matches to take extend their lead and never looked back, eventually claiming the session, 7-3.

1990

Cathy Gerring, Nancy Lopez and Patty Sheehan of the USA with the trophy during the Solheim Cup in 1990 at the Lake Nona Golf Club in Florida, USA. (Photo By Stephen Munday/Getty Images)
Cathy Gerring, Nancy Lopez and Patty Sheehan of the USA with the trophy during the Solheim Cup in 1990 at the Lake Nona Golf Club in Florida, USA. (Photo By Stephen Munday/Getty Images)

Location: Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Winner: United States 11 ½ – 4 ½

U.S. captain: Kathy Whitworth

Europe captain: Mickey Walker

Best performer: American Beth Daniel, 3 points out of a possible 3.

Each team fielded eight players for the inaugural event and 16 points were up for grabs. The American took almost all of them as they dominated all three sessions to win, 11 ½ - 4 ½. The U.S. won both Friday Foursomes and Saturday Fourball, 3-1, to take a commanding 6-2 lead to Sunday singles, where all eight players competed. The Americans kept the pedal down to win the session 5 ½ - 2 ½ and claim the Cup. Pat Bradley rolled Trish Johnson, 8 and 7, while Beth Daniel added a 7-and-6 shellacking of her own against Liselotte Neurmann.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Solheim Cup history, results from all 18 previous matches