Stacy Lewis rues ‘massive missed opportunity’ in Solheim Cup build-up
The American believes the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup should’ve been marketed together in two weeks that “may not ever happen again”
The lead-up to the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup marks “a massive missed opportunity” in the eyes of Stacy Lewis.
The US women’s team captain says both tournaments should’ve been marketed together as this memorable two-week stretch in Europe “may not ever happen again.”
After the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin concludes on Sunday, Ryder Cup week begins in Rome on Monday – a sequence Lewis thinks the sport should’ve been joint-promoted.
“I thought this could have been marketed together as two weeks in Europe, two cups for play,” Lewis said in Spain. “I think it was a missed opportunity for the sport of golf.
“I wish people could get the sponsorship things out of their head and figure out how we can work together. This may not ever happen again, the two cups being played in the same year. So I thought it was a massive missed opportunity.
“We tried to do a little bit with the guys and just weren’t really able to move things along the way I would have liked. I tried. I tried really hard, actually.
“I probably spent more time on it than I should have,” she added. “But whether it was timing or it was too late in the process, I don’t know. To really market it correctly this probably had to happen two years ago.
“So it’s something that, going forward, golf needs to get on the same page and do better with. I just would like to see it for the good of the game. It’s not to further women’s golf. Let’s further the game of golf in general.
“For the good of the game, for the game of golf, I think two weeks like this could be really cool. If we could continue it for the future. I actually really like having both cups in the same year, if we can get some common ground and do it together.”
Team USA are looking to avoid defeat in the Solheim Cup for the third time in a row this week, as the two-time major winner Lewis looks to mastermind a first win on away soil since 2015.
While next week in Italy, Zach Johnson‘s American side is looking to retain the Ryder Cup they so brutally won at Whistling Straits in 2021 and continue their ascendancy in the event.
What do you make of the Solheim Ryder Cup two-week sequence? Do you agree with this Stacy Lewis Solheim Cup view? Tell us on X!
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
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