The wait has been too long for the next Solheim Cup, especially after the drama of the 2015 edition at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Germany.

Thunderstorms, ‘Gimmegate’, superb golf and an incredibly tight match defined the tournament.

The 2017 Solheim Cup has a lot to live up to. Bring it on!

What is the Solheim Cup?

Much like the Ryder Cup for the men’s game, the Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for professional women golfers contested between Europe and the United States.

It takes place every two years and the venue alternates between courses in America and Europe.

There are 12 players on each team and selection is largely based on points accumulated in tournaments in the two seasons before the cup takes place. Eight players automatically qualify for Team Europe and there are four wildcard picks for the captain, while 10 are automatically chosen for the USA and the captain receives two picks.

2017 Solheim Cup

The Friday and Saturday action involves four foursomes and four fourball matches taking place each day.

On Sunday the pressure is cranked to the maximum. All players must play in one-vs-one singles matches.

The winner of each match scores a point, with half a point each for any match that is tied after the 18 holes. The overall winner of the Solheim Cup is determined by cumulative total points.

When is the 2017 Solheim Cup?

The 2017 edition will be held from Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20.

If the drama of the Ryder Cup from Hazeltine leaves you craving more then you won’t have to wait too long for some Solheim action.

2017 Solheim Cup

Where is it?

The biggest team event in women’s golf will be making its first appearance at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa.

West Des Moines in the US Midwest reaches an average high of 29 degrees Celsius in August, so there will be heat in both the action and temperatures.

When are the teams announced?

There are 12 players on each team and the selection process is largely based on points picked at tournaments in the build-up to the competition. Team Europe consists of the top four players from the LET Solheim Cup standings, followed by the top four LET members on the Women’s World Golf Rankings who have not already qualified via the Solheim Cup standings. There are also four captain’s selections.

Meanwhile for Team USA, eight players with the highest points on the LPGA Tour are automatically selected. Two more players will qualify based on their position in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and the captain receives two wildcard picks.

The race to qualify will end on a date to be announced in the 2017 season.

2017 Solheim Cup

How can I watch it?

All the action is set to be shown live by Sky Sports.

It is also worth noting that Des Moines will be six hours behind UK time so be prepared to stay up late to catch the last of the play.

Who are the reigning champions?

The USA edged a tight contest 14.5-13.5 in 2015 to reclaim the cup and it was a contest filled with controversy.

The match between Suzann Pettersen/Charley Hull and Alison Lee/Brittany Lincicome was all square on the 17th green. Lee missed a putt to win the hole and thinking the next 18-inch putt had been conceded, she picked up her ball. However, Pettersen insisted that it was not conceded, and the Europeans won the hole and eventually the match. Pettersen was criticised for unsportsmanlike behaviour but issued an apology soon afterwards.

James Broadhurst

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