SOLHEIM CUP

September 21, 2023

Stacy Lewis

Suzann Pettersen

Finca Cortesin

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right. I'm delighted to welcome the 2023 United States Solheim Cup team captain, Stacy Lewis, and the European team captain, Suzann Pettersen. This is an embargoed press conference where the captains will reveal their parings for the Friday morning foursomes. It's strictly embargoed until 6:45 p.m., so no light filming. I think you can appreciate this is an early opportunity to allow you to write your stories and then go and enjoy the opening ceremony.

Obviously if the embargo is broken, we have to rethink it for next time, so I hope you can appreciate that.

(Translation in Spanish.)

THE MODERATOR: We're going to ask Stacy to reveal her pairing for the first match at 8:10, please.

STACY LEWIS: All right. So my first match, I have Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang.

THE MODERATOR: Suzann, who will they be facing?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: We got Linn Grant and Maja Stark.

THE MODERATOR: For the second match at 8:22, Stacy?

STACY LEWIS: Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee.

THE MODERATOR: Suzann.

SUZANN PETTERSEN: We've got Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall.

THE MODERATOR: For match 3 at 8:34. Stacy.

STACY LEWIS: Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz.

THE MODERATOR: Suzann.

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist.

THE MODERATOR: For the fourth match at 8:46, Stacy, who is your pairing?

STACY LEWIS: Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight.

THE MODERATOR: Suzann, who will they be facing?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: We got Charley Hull and Emily Pedersen.

THE MODERATOR: Stacy, what was your strategy in putting these pairings together?

STACY LEWIS: A lot of things, really, stats, personalities, to how they're playing. Most of these pairings have been set in my head for awhile now and, I mean, it was just getting here and making sure that we're okay and that's where we ended up.

THE MODERATOR: Suzann, what was your thinking putting Linn and Maja out first?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Well, they have been asking for it, so here they go, pretty much. But, I mean, they're two great friends. They've obviously played a lot together through the juniors, so know each other really well, and they had a big desire to play, so I'm just going to let them.

THE MODERATOR: If you have any questions, please raise your hand.

Q. You guys have both talked about this week, how strong your teams are. How difficult was it to leave those four players on the bench for you and how easily did these pairings come together this week?

STACY LEWIS: For me, I mean, I wanted to get off to a good start. I wanted to get out four really good pairings and that's kind of been my focus this whole time. So it was more about who matched up together versus even -- I didn't even look at who was sitting, to be honest. I wasn't even worried about who was sitting. It was more just what are my best four options.

SUZANN PETTERSEN: For my sake, I feel like I've had these four pairings down on paper for quite a few months now. It was more like in what order do you play 'em. But I think both teams this year, I mean, we have so many great players. There are only so many that gets to play each session.

But, yeah, I think it's great to have both experience and rookies out there getting to kind of get the hang of it, get the feel, and let 'em play.

Q. Stacy, you've talked about using stats a lot, obviously, to drive these decisions. Could you take us through each of these matchups on your side and what you kind of saw statistically that matched up so well, starting with Lexi and Megan.

STACY LEWIS: Well, it would kind of give away some of my strategy, so I can't really give you all the details with her sitting right next to me here.

I mean, look, it was a lot of things. I will tell you Lexi has looked unbelievable this week and that was part of reason that she's in there. I think she's got the most experience on our team, and I wanted her to go out there and have that first tee shot. I think she's earned it. But she's looked so good this week.

Then, I mean, each of these pairings, they just -- you know, they kind of fit the puzzle, they fit together personality-wise. The hardest part for me was these five rookies and just getting them -- finding pairings, really. I mean, Suzann was lucky. She had a few from years past that she could rely on.

But we're really creating all new pairings this week, so the last four days have been important on just getting pairings out there and getting them to try it.

Q. Suzann, did you say that Linn and Maja asked to go first?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Yeah. First of all, I've talked a lot to 'em. I mean, I think I've almost had 'em set first out for a year now, literally, since they both played in Europe. I just thought it would be so -- such a cool experience for them to lead off here in Spain.

And then I did see an interview with Maja in Evian where she had a walk-and-talk. I don't remember what media. She said I would be stupid if I didn't play Linn and Maja, so I thought, why not.

Q. How do you balance listening to what players want and then also maybe telling them what you think might be best for them?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: You know what? I want the players to be part of every decision that we make this week. I've been very transparent. I wanted players to kind of take ownership to the decisions we take. I think the more they feel a part of it, the better they will be for the week and kind of the better they will play. It's easy for them to prepare. I mean, I told the girls these pairings on Monday night, so they have had all week to prepare, which makes it a little bit easier for me.

Q. I know this is a little awkward with your opponent sitting right next to you. How important is it that all 12 get out on the golf course on Friday or will you kind of see how it goes in terms of results after the first session?

STACY LEWIS: My plan is to get everybody out playing the first day. I don't want anybody sitting around for one whole day.

SUZANN PETTERSEN: It's always nice to get out. We don't quite know yet what the Friday afternoon looks like. We'll see how the morning goes and kind of we'll take it from there. We have a plan A, B, C, and D (laughing).

So, yeah, but I mean, as a player, you would love to get out there and play, for sure.

Q. I'm curious, did you just say that you gave your team the pairings on Monday?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: I did.

Q. You did. Okay. Secondly, how much are you using -- as Stacy has mentioned, she's using analytics. Are you using any analytics for your team?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: I mean, as a player, I was somehow into stats, but I was also very much a feel player. But I feel like every decision we've made from literally picking the team to where we stand today has -- it's obviously based on facts and then on top of it, and I would like to say it this way, there's an exception to every rule. There's always an exception to every stat.

I mean, these girls are humans with a heart as well, so you've got to have the dynamics fit on top of it, and they've got to enjoy being out on the golf course for five hours together. So I mean, there are other elements to the puzzle than just kind of looking at the stats, but I guess you probably feel better when you can base it on statistics and say the statistics kind of matches your gut feel, then it's a no-brainer.

Yeah, I mean, I know everything about these players, probably more than they do themselves, of the state of their game.

Q. So just to confirm, you're not really using analytics much.

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Say again.

Q. Just to confirm, you're not using analytics very much in your pairings.

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Oh, we have a couple that I've used. They have been feeding me with all kinds. So, yes, we have.

Q. Suzann, this team could obviously be -- they could make history by winning for a third time in a row. Has that been a big part of what you've said to them, that they could be legends, history-makers? Have you used that with the players or do you not have to?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Well, I think, first of all, I don't really have to tell the players what we're up for. I think the players are really -- they're on it. I think it's always great to have a possible dream to chase. That's great. But there is so much golf to be played from where we sit here today to the end of Sunday that I'm not going to -- this is not something that I'm pushing on the players at all.

We'll see how every session goes and we'll try and adjust from there. But like I said, the Solheim Cups usually come down to putts here or shots there. It's amazing how it all literally comes down to certain moments with so much golf that's played. So I've just told the players to kind of go on with their own business and we'll see how that -- where that leads coming Sunday.

Q. Stacy, Lexi's form has been such a hot topic of conversation over the past couple weeks. What are you seeing specifically out of her that gave you a lot of confidence to put her in the first match?

STACY LEWIS: You know, we started the week and I had a couple people, kind of within our team, between caddies and helpers, come up to me and just say, you know, she's hitting it really good, and then it's kind of every day there's been more and more people telling me this, and with the data and the analytics that's we have, I actually have their strokes gained from the practice over the last two days and she's off the charts right now.

So, you know, I think the way she's -- she's been working really hard the last two months, and I think it was just a matter of time, but she's just -- the driver's looked great, I mean, just the ball striking looks better than it has in a long time.

Q. Suzann, just on putting two rookies out in the first match, is that a vote of confidence in how highly you think of them?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: I mean, we can call all the rookies on the Solheim Cup, both teams, rookies this week, but in my eyes, they're not rookies. I mean, they've all won. We got major winners. I think the perception of rookies has changed over the years. I mean, I got to say, I'm super impressed of both Maja and Linn, very different personalities, but sometimes the opposite attracts.

So I'm just very impressed by all the rookies that are playing on both teams this week. It's been fun to kind of watch as the year has progressed and, yeah, hat's off to all of them.

Q. What was it you saw in Anna Nordqvist and Leona Maguire that made you want to put them together?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: Well, they have very similar games. Very steady. They obviously know each other really well. They have a ton of experience -- well, Leona has probably a little bit less than Anna, but Leona is, you just want to get her off that first tee and just keep her on the course as much as you can.

Q. This question is for Stacy. I think the most maybe the most surprising decision for a lot of people will be Lilia Vu sitting with the season that she's had. Can you talk a little bit more detail what went into that, and do you see that possibly being a source of second guessing, perhaps?

STACY LEWIS: No, I mean, at least for me, I don't see anybody playing all five sessions. So they all needed some rest at some point and just wanted to give her the morning to just kind of regroup and get herself together.

She somewhat asked for it a little bit, somewhat didn't. It was kind of my idea. So, yeah, I mean, you're going to see her a lot, other than that first session. You don't win two majors and sit on the sideline for very long (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: All right. So thanks everybody. Please respect the embargo until 6:p.m. Thank you.