That’s France’s Karine Icher to the left of the picture and those are some gobsmacked American fans after Europe plundered the USA on home turf in their record-breaking Solheim Cup triumph on Sunday, the first time Europe’s women have retained the trophy in its 23-year history.
On greens quicker than glass at the Colorado Golf Club, 24 of the world’s finest female golfers showcased just what rude health women’s golf is in over three thrilling days of battle. No wonder there has been a 68% increase in the TV ratings over the past two years.
But now is the time for women’s golf to kick on. With women’s tennis in the doldrums and ratings only likely to drop when Serena Williams calls it a day in the not too distant future, there’s no reason why female sport can’t receive more airtime through golf. The way the European and American teams quickly got to grips with an exceedingly tough layout last weekend was mightily impressive and rarely was the ball sprayed into thick cabbage or hit up a tree like men regularly do.
There’s some serious talent out there in the women’s game, a timely reminder for any keen golfer that emphasis should be on technique and suppleness not brute strength. On a side note, if you spent large parts of your weekend glued to the golf and have arisen on Monday feeling as stiff as Tinman, not to worry. Here’s a link to some excellent golf exercises which can be found on the top right of the page, including a tough but worthwhile shoulder rotation drill.
Back to the golf then. While men’s golf is also in good shape, albeit dominated by the ‘Will he , won’t he?’ Tiger Woods saga on what course the American’s pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major victories will take, the women’s game has so many interesting new faces not to mention the battle-hardened old-timers as well as talent from all corners of the globe. We’ve seen that this year in the shape of South Korean Inbee Park and her chase for four straight majors which came unstuck at St. Andrews earlier this month, and of course 16-year-old New Zealand sensation Lydia Ko.
Conveniently these two are in action this coming weekend at the Canadian Women’s Open. What timing. Women always were better planners. They’ll soon be better golfers.
The Solheim Cup uncovered a few more stars, known already to golf fans but not yet in the sporting limelight. England’s Charley Hull, aged just 17, was one of Europe’s Cup heroes last weekend, while Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall, considered an experienced old-hand at the tender age of 24, became the first player in the Solheim Cup to win all five matches.
Then there’s American Jessica Korda, daughter of former Czech tennis pro and 1998 Australian Open champion Petr Korda, whose likeable smile and booming shots are a pleasure to watch. She’s clearly got that mental edge that sets some players apart, unsurprising given her father’s advice.
Tennis had its golden generation of awe-inspiring female athletes, now it is categorically golf’s turn to bewitch TV audiences.
rarelyonthefairway 