2023 Solheim Cup preview

The GIST: The Solheim Cup — one of golf’s most anticipated tourneys — is officially underway in Spain, with Team USA and Team Europe swinging for glory in this unique team competition. Let’s tee up all the deets.

The details: The Solheim features 12 of the best players from the Ladies European Tour contending with the 12 top U.S. golfers from the Ladies Professional Golf Association across a three-day match-play competition. The first two days (the first of which is currently underway) consist of foursome and four-ball matches, while the final day is entirely singles matches with players from each team competing one-on-one.

• Adding to the hype, the Solheim only happens once every two years. Team USA holds a narrow all-time 10-7 edge in wins, but Europe has dominated recently and will be going for a three-peat this year. Spicy.

Names to know: For starters, the three newest friends of The GIST: Team USA captain Stacy Lewis, world No. 2 Lilia Vu, and No. 3 Nelly Korda, who joined The GIST of It podcast ahead of the tourney start. Vu’s one of five Solheim rookies on the squad, while Korda will be making her third appearance.

• Another U.S. rookie to know? No. 32 Rose Zhang, the 20-year-old breakout star who’ll be looking to add Solheim Cup champion to her already impressive resume.

• As for Team Europe, keep an eye on France’s No. 5 Céline Boutier, who notched her first major win this year, and vice captain Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, who’ll be playing in her field-leading eighth Solheim. This is far from her first rodeo.