The Solheim Cup is a revolutionary tournament born out of the success of a revolutionary putter.
One of the biggest sporting upsets of the 20th Century happened during a bleak week in Scotland in 1992, yet there was barely a murmur in the media about it.
"The Americans only thought they had to turn up to win, and they did give us a big trouncing the first time we played. They had legendary golfers in their team so the fact we won was an incredible sporting upset."Six of the 10 players in that 1992 American team would go on to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame - Betsy King, Beth Daniel, Patty Sheehan, Pat Bradley, Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon.
"And, of course, what she said was absolutely right, but when somebody tells you you can’t do something, or that they’re better than you, you think 'I’ll show you'.Daniel was made to chew over her words on the first morning. "It was miserable, but we were used to those conditions. The Americans absolutely hated it. They didn’t really do horrendous conditions and that played into our favour."
“I can’t pinpoint exactly how it happened but somebody came up with the idea and took it to our chief executive Joe Flanagan and he took it to the Americans. Karsten’s real breakthrough came at the start of 1966. After watching the Los Angeles Open inspiration struck and he sketched the initial design for a new putter on the first thing he could find, the dust jacket of an old vinyl record.
“My dad's feeling was ladies' golf did not get the attention it should for the level of their play. He wanted to make sure that it did - and he worked hard to do that,” John Solheim, who is steeped in the family business having helped his dad make putters in the garage aged 13, tells BBC Sport. “I pulled my dad aside and said ‘look, we do two, they sell it to somebody else afterwards - you know we need more than that’.
The first Solheim Cup was always going to be a mismatch, though - and Europe’s captain Walker knew it. They romped home, winning the top five singles by wide margins, before Davies and Dale Reid posted late blue on the board and Wright picked up a half point in the bottom match.Mochrie said: “From the first tee shot it was apparent the Europeans meant business, and that was judging by the number of boisterous fans who had made the trip across the Atlantic.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Solheim Cup: Charley Hull in Europe's team to face United StatesEngland's Charley Hull and Ireland's Leona Maguire are among the eight confirmed names for Europe's Solheim Cup team to face the United States next month.
Read more »
Solheim Cup: Georgia Hall handed European wildcard spot to face United States in VirginiaEngland's Georgia Hall is selected as one of captain Suzann Pettersen's four wildcard picks for next month's Solheim Cup against the US.
Read more »
Solheim Cup player profiles: Introducing Suzann Pettersen's Team Europe and their past recordsWe take a look at closer look at who features in Suzann Pettersen's side at the 2024 Solheim Cup, their form coming in and their past record representing Team Europe.
Read more »
Solheim Cup: Lexi Thompson, Jennifer Kupcho and Sarah Schmelzel the captain's picks for Team USAThompson, Kupcho and Schmelzel have been announced as the captain’s picks for Team USA in the Solheim Cup.
Read more »
Solheim Cup: US wildcard pick Lexi Thompson to face Europe in VirginiaLexi Thompson says it 'means the world' to her to be selected for a seventh American Solheim Cup appearance against Europe next month.
Read more »
The Solheim Cup 2024: Dates, tee times, favourites, schedule, how to follow on the BBCThe Solheim Cup will take place between 13-15 September and BBC Sport will have live radio and text commentary.
Read more »