A guide to the 2024 Solheim Cup

The GIST: The 19th edition of the Solheim Cup, one of women’s golf’s most anticipated tourneys — and inspired by the men’s drama-filled Ryder Cup — will pit Team USA against Team Europe when it officially opens tomorrow at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.

How it works: The biennial tourney features a three-day match-play competition. The first two days consist of foursome (alternate shot) and four-ball (best ball) matches, while the final day is one-on-one singles matches.

• Each team consists of 12 players, points are awarded for each match, and the team with the most points at the end of the event will be named the winner. If the tournament ends in a tie, the reigning champion (Europe) retains the cup.

• Normally a biennial affair, the event is happening in back-to-back years to account for — stop us if you’ve heard this one before — pandemic-induced scheduling issues.

Key storylines: Though the squads tied in Spain last year, Team Europe is technically the defending champ having won in 2021, putting pressure on Team USA to avoid four straight losses. Everyone loves an underdog.

• Led by captain Stacy Lewis, the red, white, and blue will rely on big swingers Nelly Korda (six wins in 2024) and Lila Vu, and the resilience of Solheim Cup rookie Sarah Schmelzel to reclaim the crown.

• As for Team Europe, vice-captain Anna Nordqvist is playing in her field-leading ninth Solheim and will look to veteran Brits Charley Hull and Georgia Hall to defend the trophy.