1996 Solheim Cup

The 1996 Solheim Cup was the first one in which the teams were 12-players strong each (expanding from 10-player teams at the 1994 Solheim Cup). It was also the first one to offer 28 total points, and to adopt the Ryder Cup format: four matches of foursomes and four of four-balls on each of the first two days, and 12 singles matches on Day 3.

At the end of the first day, the U.S. held a 5-3 lead. But Europe won the second day 6-2, producing an overall lead of 9-7 for Europe.

However, Team USA dominated the singles matches, winning 10 of a possible 12 points. The only European player to win her singles match was Annika Sorenstam, who led off with a 2-and-1 victory over Pat Bradley. Liselotte Neumann halved with Beth Daniel and Alison Nicholas halved with Kelly Robbins. The other nine singles matches were all won by the Americans.

Final Score: U.S. 17, Europe 11
Site: Marriott St. Pierre Hotel & Country Club, Chepstow, Wales
Captains: U.S., Judy Rankin; Europe, Mickey Walker

Team Members
• Europe: Helen Alfredsson, Laura Davies, Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, Lisa Hackney, Trish Johnson, Kathryn Marshall, Joanne Morley, Liselotte Neumann, Alison Nicholas, Catrin Nilsmark, Dale Reid, Annika Sorenstam
• USA: Pat Bradley, Brandie Burton, Beth Daniel, Jane Geddes, Rosie Jones, Betsy King, Meg Mallon, Michelle McGann, Dottie Pepper, Kelly Robbins, Patty Sheehan, Val Skinner

Foursomes
• Kelly Robbins/Michelle McGann, U.S., halved with Annika Sorenstam/Catrin Nilsmark, Europe
• Patty Sheehan/Rosie Jones, U.S., def. Laura Davies/Alison Nicholas, Europe, 1-up
• Beth Daniel/Val Skinner, U.S., def. Marie-Laure de Lorenzi/Dale Reid, Europe, 1-up
• Dottie Pepper/Brandie Burton, U.S., def. Helen Alfredsson/Liselotte Neumann, Europe, 2 and 1

Fourball
• Laura Davies/Trish Johnson, Europe, def. Kelly Robbins/Pat Bradley, U.S., 6 and 5
• Annika Sorenstam/Kathryn Marshall, Europe, def. Val Skinner/Jane Geddes, U.S., 1-up
• Dottie Pepper/Betsy King, U.S., def. Liselotte Neumann/Catrin Nilsmark, Europe, 1-up
• Meg Mallon/Beth Daniel, U.S., halved with Helen Alfredsson/Alison Nicholas, Europe

Foursomes
• Laura Davies/Trish Johnson, Europe, def. Patty Sheehan/Rosie Jones, U.S., 4 and 3
• Annika Sorenstam/Catrin Nilsmark, Europe, def. Dottie Pepper/Brandie Burton, U.S., 1-up
• Meg Mallon/Jane Geddes, U.S., halved with Liselotte Neumann/Kathryn Marshall, Europe
• Marie-Laure de Lorenzi/Helen Alfredsson, Europe, def. Kelly Robbins/Michelle McGann, U.S., 4 and 3

Fourball
• Laura Davies/Lisa Hackney (Hall), Europe, def. Beth Daniel/Val Skinner, U.S., 6 and 5
• Michelle McGann/Meg Mallon, U.S., halved with Annika Sorenstam/Trish Johnson, Europe
• Kelly Robbins/Betsy King, U.S., def. Marie-Laure de Lorenzi/Joanne Morley, Europe, 2 and 1
• Catrin Nilsmark/Liselotte Neumann, Europe, def. Patty Sheehan/Jane Geddes, U.S., 3 and 1

Singles
• Annika Sorenstam, Europe, def. Pat Bradley, U.S., 2 and 1
• Val Skinner, U.S., def. Kathryn Marshall, Europe, 2 and 1
• Michelle McGann, U.S., def. Laura Davies, Europe, 3 and 2
• Beth Daniel, U.S., halved with Liselotte Neumann, Europe
• Brandie Burton, U.S., def. Lisa Hackney (Hall), Europe, 1-up
• Dottie Pepper, U.S., def. Trish Johnson, Europe, 3 and 2
• Kelly Robbins, U.S., halved with Alison Nicholas, Europe
• Betsy King, U.S., def. Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, Europe, 5 and 4
• Rosie Jones, U.S., def. Joanne Morley, Europe, 5 and 4
• Jane Geddes, U.S., def. Dale Reid, Europe, 2-up
• Patty Sheehan, U.S., def. Catrin Nilsmark, Europe, 2 and 1
• Meg Mallon, U.S., def. Helen Alfredsson, Europe, 4 and 2

Player Records (wins-losses-halves)

Europe
Helen Alfredsson, 1-2-1
Laura Davies, 3-2-0
Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, 1-3-0
Lisa Hackney (Hall), 1-1-0
Trish Johnson, 2-1-1
Kathryn Marshall, 1-1-1
Joanne Morley, 0-2-0
Liselotte Neumann, 1-2-2
Alison Nicholas, 0-1-2
Catrin Nilsmark, 2-2-1
Dale Reid, 0-2-0
Annika Sorenstam, 3-0-2

USA
Pat Bradley, 0-2-0
Brandie Burton, 2-1-0
Beth Daniel, 1-1-2
Jane Geddes, 1-2-1
Rosie Jones, 2-1-0
Betsy King, 3-0-0
Meg Mallon, 1-0-3
Michelle McGann, 1-1-2
Dottie Pepper, 3-1-0
Kelly Robbins, 1-2-2
Patty Sheehan, 2-2-0
Val Skinner, 2-2-0

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Solheim Cup Index

Sources: LPGA and Ladies European Tour