One of the big winners of the Solheim Cup 2024 is, without a doubt, Stacy Lewis. The captain of the American team comes out very strengthened from the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
Her equanimous demeanor, her detailed study of the statistics and her ability to build a team have shone this week above all else. She is not Pettersen, nor does she pretend to be. She speaks with facts. She doesn’t need grand speeches or emotional reactions. That’s not Lewis. She’s not one to dance with her players on the 1st tee. It’s simply a different style.
As a good American, she feels the flag as if it were imprinted in fire in her heart. That’s why she decided to take her team to the Capitol. It was a clear message. You’re not playing for yourselves, you’re playing for your country. The players caught on quickly.
The motto of the week has been “unfinished business”, referring to the 14 all of last year. “We have to finish the job”, she repeated over and over to the players and fans. It was time to reclaim the crown and she has achieved it. She admitted to having prayed a lot during the last hours of Sunday. The relief and joy of bringing the cup back to her country seven years later was evident on her face.
If twelve months ago, despite the draw that prevented them from winning the title, they were almost all praises for her figure, imagine this week. It’s clear that the players respect and love her. A true leader. The big question now is… will Stacy Lewis continue to lead the American team? or on the contrary “the business is finished”…
“That’s a good question, right now I have no idea what’s coming. I’m scared to think beyond. I’ve been focused on this job for three years and now I don’t know what’s going to happen. The only thing I know for sure is that on Tuesday I have to take my daughter to school… Well, and enjoy these two days. The rest will be seen”. It’s hard to determine what will happen with Stacy as she has had two consecutive captaincies and a three-year wear and tear. In the American camp only Juli Inkster has held that role three times in a row (2015, 2017 and 2019).
Everyone is delighted with her, but it’s time to consider whether to step aside. Lewis acknowledged the wear and tear of this task, but by no means closes the door. Paula Creamer has been mentioned as the big name to succeed her. Morgan Pressel also appears in all the betting pools. We’ll see if it’s not Lewis herself who continues. It reminds a bit of the case of Luke Donald after the Ryder in Rome. Players, press and fans are delighted with her. The difference is that she already has two editions under her belt and the mission for which she came has already been completed.
On the other hand, there is Suzann Pettersen. The press conference on Sunday afternoon sounded like a farewell. “The question about my future should not be asked to me. That decision is not in my hands. What I know is that if this is the end of the road I am very proud, it has been three wonderful years. The defeat hurts, but the team we have formed has been incredible”. Pettersen was visibly moved, even seen crying hugging her great friend Anna Nordqvist.
At Finca Cortesín she achieved a historic comeback after a horrible start. These are things that happen once in a lifetime. This time the first day was very adverse again. Away from home the mountain has been too high this time. We must acknowledge her ability to keep the team alive until the last moment. She has character in spades. The Maguire case also leaves her a bit on the wire. It’s hard to understand a decision of that magnitude with a player who has proven everything in this competition. It seems that Pettersen’s hours as captain have come to an end.
