Team USA are looking to overcome a run of "heart-breaking" near-misses on the road and retain the Solheim Cup on European soil this week at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
Angela Stanford's side arrive as defending champions after beating Team Europe 15.5-12.5 in Virginia two years ago, and a win this week would give the United States back-to-back Solheim Cup victories for the first time since 2017.
It has been 11 years since the United States last won in Europe, when a record final-day comeback overturned a 10-6 deficit to snatch a one-point win in Germany. Team USA have fallen short in the two away editions since, losing by a single point at Gleneagles in 2019 after Suzann Pettersen's iconic putt, and then letting a commanding opening-day lead slip to a 14-14 tie at Finca Cortesin in Spain in 2023, a result that saw Europe retain the trophy.
America's Recent Away Struggles
American Andrea Lee said it was "always really hard to win on foreign soil," adding: "I think we played really well and came so close last time in Spain. It was pretty heart-breaking to end in a tie and for Europe to retain, but I think a lot of us from that team are here this week. We're just very motivated to keep the Cup and try to win on foreign soil again."
Lee said a win this week would be the United States' fourth on foreign soil, and that the team was "really determined to try and keep it."
Alison Lee said the format "brings a fire out of the European girls," adding: "Obviously coming over here to Europe is always difficult. I don't ever play in the rain or wind, but I think that's something we're all expecting. We know that if we come out and do our best to play some good golf, and hopefully have a bit of chemistry out there as well, I think we have a really good chance this year."
World No 1 Nelly Korda pointed to the tightness of recent contests: "In Spain, we were super close. They tied with Europe, so they retained the Cup. For Gleneagles, I feel like we played really well, but maybe haven't had momentum go our way while we're in Europe." Korda said Stanford and her assistants had urged the team to "really rely on each other" when things get tough.
Angel Yin admitted the team had struggled to close matches out: "As much as we don't close out the win, it's always coming down to the last putt. We always put up a really good fight, even though we're unfamiliar with the situation, and I think we're learning."
The last four Solheim Cups have had a combined winning margin of just six points, compared with a 24-point difference across the last four Ryder Cups, the men's equivalent contest between the United States and Europe.
Team USA's Preparations
Team USA travelled together from Atlanta to the Netherlands on Saturday, including caddies, and spent Sunday as tourists in Amsterdam before turning their focus to Solheim Cup week. The squad's clothing and bag designs have referenced past away successes, including the 2007 win in Sweden and the 2015 win in Germany.
Europe's Preparations at Bernardus Golf
Europe's team room activities have included ping pong, darts and a quiz involving baby photos of the caddies, with personalised gifts also handed out among the players.
Captain Anna Nordqvist's line-up includes four rookies, and half the squad has never played in a home Solheim Cup. Charley Hull, making an eighth consecutive appearance, is among the senior players Europe is relying on.
Hull said she felt less pressure playing away from home: "We get big crowds both places, but obviously it's a little more pressure over here when it's a home Solheim Cup!"
Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda on Anna Nordqvist
Only Carlota Ciganda has as many Solheim Cup appearances as Hull on either team. Ciganda said she wanted to see Nordqvist, who has announced her retirement from the LPGA Tour, lead Europe to victory in her final event as captain.
"I would love to win for her, especially now after announcing her retirement," Ciganda said. "I think it would be a very nice present for her. Not that she needs it, because she's won everything! She's been a part of so many Solheim Cups and wins. She's made so many great putts, won majors and she's done everything. I think it would be just special. I think she's prepared really hard, she's done her job and she's ready. Hopefully we can deliver for her."
Nordqvist played her final round on the LPGA Tour at the FM Championship last month, having announced a shock mid-season retirement.
How to Watch the Solheim Cup
Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least 12 hours of live coverage on each of the first two days, starting at 6am on Friday and Saturday ahead of the opening foursomes match teeing off at 6.40am UK time (7.40am local time).
The afternoon fourballs are scheduled to start at 12.05pm UK time (1.05pm local time) on both days, with coverage continuing until the final putt is holed. Sunday singles coverage begins at 9am ahead of the opening tee shot at 10.10am.
Sky Sports+ will carry live coverage of the closing ceremony from 5.30pm on Sunday, once the Solheim Cup winner has been crowned. Thursday's opening ceremony at 4.30pm revealed the opening-day pairings. The event runs from September 11 to 13.
