What is Solheim Cup? Where can you WATCH the Solheim Cup 2024 online for FREE?

The Solheim Cup is a golf tournament where top women golfers from the United States compete against top women golfers from Europe. 

It's similar to the Ryder Cup but for women. The event is held every two years, and teams earn points by winning matches over a few days. The team with the most points at the end wins the Solheim Cup.

This year's Solheim Cup will be held in the United States at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, about a 45-minute drive from Washington, D.C. 

The Solheim Cup is a highly anticipated event in the world of women's golf, showcasing fierce competition and camaraderie among players. Fans from both sides of the Atlantic eagerly await this prestigious tournament to see which team will emerge victorious. 

When will it start?

This 19th edition of the biennial event will take place from Friday, September 13 to September 15, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, US. The tournament will feature top professional golfers from around the world competing for a prize purse of over $1 million. 

What are the Teams?

The Solheim Cup features a total of 24 players, 12 Americans and 12 Europeans. They are:

U.S. Team:

• Automatic Qualifiers: The top seven scorers on the U.S. Solheim Cup points list made the team. These players are Allisen Corpuz, Lauren Coughlin, Ally Ewing, Megan Khang, Nelly Korda, Andrea Lee, and Lilia Vu.
• World Ranking Qualifiers: Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu, ranked #1 and #2 in the world (Rolex Rankings), respectively, also secured spots even though they weren't already on the points list.
• Captain's Picks: Team captain Stacy Lewis chose Jennifer Kupcho, Sarah Schmelzel, and Lexi Thompson to complete the U.S. roster.

European Team:

• Automatic Qualifiers: Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit secured spots based on their top two positions in the European Solheim Cup points standings.
• World Ranking Qualifiers: The top five players in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings (Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Madelene Sagstrom, Maja Stark, Leona Maguire) qualified automatically for Team Europe.
• Captain's Picks: Captain Suzann Pettersen added Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist, Emily Pedersen, and Albane Valenzuela to the European team through her captain's picks.

Who are the team's captains?

The captains from last year's Solheim Cup in Spain will continue in their roles this year. Suzann Pettersen will lead Team Europe again, while Stacy Lewis will captain Team USA for the second time.

Pettersen has retained Anna Nordqvist, Dame Laura Davies, and Caroline Martens as her vice-captains. Additionally, Mel Reid has been named a vice-captain after previously serving in this role in 2019.

On Team USA, Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome will also return as assistant captains, joined by Morgan Pressel and Angela Stanford, completing Lewis' team of assistants.

How does the game work? When does it begin?

The Solheim Cup is a golf tournament held over three days, featuring a total of 28 matches played in three formats: foursomes, fourballs, and singles. The first team to reach 14.5 points wins the cup, while Europe retains it if the event ends in a 14-14 tie.

In foursomes, two players from each team take turns hitting one ball, alternating shots until the hole is completed. There are four foursome matches each morning on the first two days, starting at 7:05 AM local time.

In fourballs, each player has their own ball, and the best score from each pair counts for the team. Four fourball matches are played each afternoon, beginning at 12:05 PM.

On the final day, all players compete in singles matches, where each player faces an opponent from the other team in head-to-head contests. Matches start at 8:50 AM and continue every 10 minutes until the last match at 10:40 AM.

Where can you watch the Solheim Cup 2024?

You can watch the 2024 Solheim Cup, taking place from September 13 to 15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, through various channels:

Sky Sports: In the UK, Sky Sports will provide extensive coverage, including the opening ceremony and all matches. Key times include:

• Friday, September 13: 7 AM - 6 PM
• Saturday, September 14: 7 AM- 3 PM (Golf Channel), 3 PM- 6 PM (NBC)
• Sunday, September 15: 8:45 AM–12 PM (Golf Channel), 12 PM–3 PM (NBC).

NBC and Golf Channel: In the US, NBC and the Golf Channel will broadcast the event. The Golf Channel will cover the tournament throughout the three days, with NBC airing the late rounds on Saturday and Sunday. The schedule includes:

• Friday, September 13: 7 AM–6 PM (Golf Channel)
• Saturday, September 14: 7 AM- 3 PM (Golf Channel), 3 PM- 6 PM (NBC)
• Sunday, September 15: 8:45 AM–12 PM (Golf Channel), 12 PM–3 PM (NBC).

Streaming Options: For streaming, Peacock will offer live simulcasts of NBC's coverage, particularly on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. You can also access the Golf Channel through the NBC Sports App. 

What are the best streaming options for the Solheim Cup?

For streaming the 2024 Solheim Cup, there are several options available:

• Peacock: NBC's streaming service will provide live coverage of the Solheim Cup, including simulcasts of NBC's broadcasts. Subscriptions start at $7.99 per month for the ad-supported plan and $13.99 for the ad-free version.
• FuboTV: This service offers a 7-day free trial for new users, allowing you to watch the Solheim Cup without immediate payment. After the trial, plans start at $74.99 per month. FuboTV includes NBC and Golf Channel in its package.
• Sling TV: For a budget-friendly option, Sling TV offers access to NBC Sports for about $40 per month. It supports multiple devices and includes DVR functionality.
• YouTube TV: Another option is YouTube TV, which costs $72.99 per month and includes NBC Sports. It allows streaming on multiple devices and offers a DVR service.
• NOW TV: In the UK, NOW TV provides access to Sky Sports, where the Solheim Cup will be broadcast. You can start with a 7-day free trial or purchase a pass.

Based on these options, Sling TV stands out as the most affordable choice for viewers in the U.S., while FuboTV and YouTube TV offer more comprehensive features with their free trials. For UK viewers, NOW TV provides excellent flexibility with its trial options.

Why is it called the Solheim Cup?

This cup was named after Karsten Solheim, who founded golf equipment manufacturer Ping and created the idea of a women's Ryder Cup.

Who are the current holders of the trophy?

The Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament between teams representing Europe and the United States. It has been held 18 times since 1990, with the United States winning 10 times and Europe winning 7 times. 

The most recent edition in 2023 ended in a 14-14 tie, with Europe retaining the trophy after winning in 2019 and 2021. 

The Solheim Cup is named after Karsten Solheim, the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer who was instrumental in its creation. It is considered the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup.

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