PARKER — One more nine-hole practice round is scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday. Between extended putting sessions on the greens and time between holes to sign autographs, the groups are playing nine holes in about three hours.
After Thursday’s practice, the teams need to rest and get ready for the opening ceremony, which starts at 5 p.m.
“I think we have a good idea of what our pairings are going to be and who is going to play with who,” U.S. captain Meg Mallon said, “and that is the biggest challenge for us.”
European captain Liselotte Neumann said her groups seemed a bit more relaxed Wednesday morning as they started on the front nine.
She said Tuesday there was “a little bit of tension, but it’s kind of the first time they’re out on the golf course.”
Half of Neumann’s European team are rookies. She too is looking for the right combinations during the practice rounds, and it has been “a little bit of testing” in these three days of practice.
“We’ve put up quite a lot of different groups and pairings so far,” Neumann said Wednesday. “It’s kind of a good time for the girls to see ‘Who do I feel like my game compares with best? Who do I get along with the best on the golf course?’ “
Pride and residence. Like many of her players, Neumann moved to the U.S. to play on the LPGA Tour. But Neumann said she is all Euro this week.
“I love being in America and I will probably never move back to Sweden,” Neumann said. “I have lived longer in America than I have in Sweden, actually. I love this country. Colorado is probably one of my favorite states. I’ve been here many times skiing and hiking and playing golf.
“But when it comes to the Solheim Cup, I’m so European that you would probably have a hard time finding someone more Euro than me.”
Footnotes. The U.S. squad won the Junior Solheim Cup, which was played Tuesday and Wednesday at Inverness in Englewood. The Americans won seven of the 12 singles matches (and halved two others) Wednesday for a 14½ to 9½ victory. The teams were tied 6-6 after Tuesday’s 12 team matches. … The Golf Channel will air more than 27 hours of live coverage this weekend when match play starts Friday, including 11½ consecutive hours Saturday.
