SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Swedish dominance again in the Solheim Cup: "We are the best"

For the second year in a row, it's time for the Solheim Cup. Once again with Swedish dominance in the European team. We are the best, we have always been that and will always be that, says Maja Stark.

» Updated: September 16 2024

» Published: September 11 2024

Swedish dominance again in the Solheim Cup: "We are the best"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

It's at the end of the press conference before this year's Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, a few miles outside of Washington DC, that Maja Stark gets the question about Swedish dominance.

The seemingly bold statement above was said with a hint of humor, but Stark has a point. With more seriousness in her voice, the 24-year-old, one of four Swedes on this year's European team, says:

It feels a bit strange to say that it feels like we're used to it, since it's been like this for as long as we've lived. Around the time we (Stark and Linn Grant) were born, there were Helen Alfredsson, Annika Sörenstam, Charlotta Sörenstam, Carin Koch… There have been so many that it doesn't feel unusual that there are so many Swedes here.

Made debut last year

Stark sits on the podium next to close friend Grant, and together the Scanian duo made their debut on the Spanish Finca Cortesín course a year ago. The Swedish Solheim Cup adventure started a bit nervously with a loss in the first match. But then it took off, and both ended up with a plus statistic when Europe finally managed to retain the trophy after great drama in the tied 14-14 match against the USA.

Linn Grant says that the debut was so much fun that the rest of the season felt a bit dull.

In the back of my mind, I wish every week could be like this, because it's surreal and with all the emotions you feel when you play. You're nervous, you're scared, you're happy – the adrenaline. It's a completely different level of golf, she says.

Screams and "fist pumps"

Both Grant and Stark feel more comfortable this time, now that the debut is out of the way.

Last time, there were so many question marks around how I would react to this? How would I feel on the first tee? I usually don't make big gestures when I putt, but then suddenly at Solheim, I started screaming and doing "fist pumps" and everything. I had no idea it would come out. Now I know it can happen this week, says Stark.

Besides Stark and Grant, Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagström are also part of Europe's team. Nordqvist, who is also one of the vice-captains, is playing Solheim Cup for the ninth time in a row. Sagström is participating for the fourth time.

The USA, with world number one Nelly Korda and world number two Lilia Vu on the team, is this year's big favorite on home soil, despite not having won since 2017.

Carl Göransson/TT

Facts: Europe's team in Solheim Cup

TT

Norwegian Suzann Pettersen is once again captain of Europe's team, where Sweden contributes with a third of the players. The team:

Sweden (4): Anna Nordqvist, Madelene Sagström, Maja Stark, Linn Grant.

England (2): Charley Hull, Georgia Hall.

France (1): Céline Boutier.

Germany (1): Esther Henseleit.

Denmark (1): Emily Pedersen.

Switzerland (1): Albane Valenzuela.

Ireland (1): Leona Maguire.

Spain (1): Carlota Ciganda.

A total of 14 Swedes have participated in Solheim Cup since its start in 1990. Anna Nordqvist is now the first to play the team competition for the ninth time.

Number of starts:

9: Anna Nordqvist

8: Helen Alfredsson, Sophie Gustafson, Annika Sörenstam

6: Liselotte Neumann

5: Catrin Nilsmark, Caroline Hedwall, Maria Hjorth (now McBride)

4: Carin Koch, Madelene Sagström

2: Linn Grant, Maja Stark

1: Charlotta Sörenstam, Linda Wessberg

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Double McLaren at the top – the champion third

Double McLaren at the top – the champion third

Swedish Team Captain Out Indefinitely

Swedish Team Captain Out Indefinitely

Teenager knocks out world number two

Teenager knocks out world number two

Åberg eliminated: "Disappointed and frustrated"

Åberg eliminated: "Disappointed and frustrated"

The Anger After the Final Loss: "Everyone Hates Luleå"

The Anger After the Final Loss: "Everyone Hates Luleå"

Advantage Modo in the Anxiety Qualification - Won the First Match

Advantage Modo in the Anxiety Qualification - Won the First Match

Olympic Athletes' Plea: "Take Care of Our Planet"

Olympic Athletes' Plea: "Take Care of Our Planet"

Multiple Exclamation Marks in Tuchel's First Squad

Multiple Exclamation Marks in Tuchel's First Squad

Thingnes Bø ill – skips World Cup weekend

Thingnes Bø ill – skips World Cup weekend

Lifetime Ban for Corruption-Convicted Boss

Lifetime Ban for Corruption-Convicted Boss

Guide: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the F1 Season

Guide: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the F1 Season

IFK Norrköping confirms – the club manager is leaving

IFK Norrköping confirms – the club manager is leaving

Shocked Möregårdh advances: "Nervous all the time"

Shocked Möregårdh advances: "Nervous all the time"

Stephen Curry makes history – first in NBA

Stephen Curry makes history – first in NBA

Melin's successful comeback: "Better than I thought"

Melin's successful comeback: "Better than I thought"

Bratt behind everything in the win

Bratt behind everything in the win

Växjö won despite the cold shower

Växjö won despite the cold shower

Malmö won the Skåne derby – despite tough injury

Malmö won the Skåne derby – despite tough injury

Duplantis will party – despite missing the world record

Duplantis will party – despite missing the world record

Djurgarden clear for quarterfinals in Conference League

Djurgarden clear for quarterfinals in Conference League

 Åberg under par – despite two double bogeys

Åberg under par – despite two double bogeys

New TV deal gives the Olympic Games billions

New TV deal gives the Olympic Games billions

SHL's Success - Breaks Audience Record

SHL's Success - Breaks Audience Record

Ponsiluoma on the podium: "I've fought for this"

Ponsiluoma on the podium: "I've fought for this"

Swedish Olympic Champion Undergoes Surgery – Misses World Championship

Swedish Olympic Champion Undergoes Surgery – Misses World Championship

Mbappé back in the French national team

Mbappé back in the French national team

The Scandal Grows – New Cheating Discovered

The Scandal Grows – New Cheating Discovered

New victory for the "Swedish" sensation

New victory for the "Swedish" sensation

Öberg on the podium – but missed the victory: "I'm annoyed"

Öberg on the podium – but missed the victory: "I'm annoyed"

This is the Swedish athletics team for the indoor World Championship

This is the Swedish athletics team for the indoor World Championship

Sponsor withdraws from Falsterbo: "Remove our name"

Sponsor withdraws from Falsterbo: "Remove our name"

After the Norwegian cheating scandal – the chairman resigns

After the Norwegian cheating scandal – the chairman resigns

"Criticism after penalty drama: 'Put up your hand'"

"Criticism after penalty drama: 'Put up your hand'"

Pettersson on fire as Vancouver turned the game around and won

Pettersson on fire as Vancouver turned the game around and won

The National Team to Hungary – in the Midst of Europe's Great Crisis

The National Team to Hungary – in the Midst of Europe's Great Crisis

Real Madrid advance after penalty drama in derby

Real Madrid advance after penalty drama in derby

This is how the quarterfinals are played in Hockeyallsvenskan

This is how the quarterfinals are played in Hockeyallsvenskan

Luleå Goalkeeper Knocked Out – Then Frölunda Won

Luleå Goalkeeper Knocked Out – Then Frölunda Won

Welcome victory for the national handball team

Welcome victory for the national handball team

The Masters are Written Off in the Gold Favorite Vote: "Understandable"

The Masters are Written Off in the Gold Favorite Vote: "Understandable"