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Solheim Cup preparations kick into high gear as Lewis, Thompson play RTJ

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By George Gerbo

The Washington Times

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

GAINESVILLE, Va. — With less than two months to go until the Solheim Cup, preparations have begun in earnest as northern Virginia is set to welcome the best in women’s golf.

Work around the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club is in high gear as U.S. captain Stacy Lewis and seven-time Solheim Cup participant Lexi Thompson gathered this week to further prepare for the bi-annual team match play competition between the Americans and Europeans.

“It is the best golf tournament that you’ll ever experience, especially on the women’s side,” Thompson said. “To hear the chants and to see the amount of talent that’s out here and just to see the shots that are pulled off under this extreme pressure, there’s nothing like it.”

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The nearly 7,000 yard Prince William County track has begun to boast the hallmarks of tournament golf. Banners and bleachers are being erected across the grounds, including at what’s expected to be the most boisterous spot when the competition kicks off September 13.

“The first tee shot is unlike anything else,” Thompson said. “I remember going to that tee [in past tournaments] and hearing the chants, and I’m pretty sure my whole body was shaking. Just hearing the chants, hearing the music, the ground was, like, vibrating.”

A J-shaped grandstand will wrap more than 180 degrees around the vast tee box at No. 1, and a large pavilion will be built atop a path intersection between holes 3, 4, 13 and 14, with more than 5,000 visitors expected each day of the competition according to event organizers.

Those will likely be the best spots for spectators, as the snaking, out-and-back layout doesn’t feature a true clubhouse “turn,” with holes 9-14 tightly hugged by Lake Manassas on their left.

“Coming into the back nine — I mean even number nine’s a tough par three — but those first few holes in the back can be definitely pivotal,” Thompson said. “Some of the holes you might win with just a par, but depending on how firm or soft that the greens are playing, we can definitely go after some birdies.”

Lewis played the course for the first time this week, saying it bore trademarks to other Robert Trent Jones designs nationwide.

“It’s amazing first and foremost. Just one, the views of the lake, and then the greens. It’s Robert Trent Jones — it’s little sections you got to hit to certain spots. I’d say they play a lot smaller than they actually are,” Lewis said.

The course boasts many welcoming fairways from the tee. To Lewis’ point, though, those fairways sharply narrow to a thin neck upon approach. Sizable bunkers are cloistered near the green complex on multiple holes, including six of nine on the back side.

“I want this set up as a ball striker’s course where you’ve got to hit the fairway, hit the green,” Lewis said. “There’s still some risk-reward, but where there’s a penalty for a miss, I think that will play into our players a little bit better [than Team Europe].”

And if players steer clear of the bunkers, they will still have to contend with avoiding Lake Manassas and deciphering its gusts that are always seemingly in the face or at the side, never coming from behind.

“If you miss a green, you’re going to struggle to get up and down. And that’s that’s what I want: I want there to be a penalty for a miss, and the better players are going to rise to the top,” Lewis said.

The Americans will look to capture the cup for the first time since 2017 after Europe retained the trophy following a 14-14 tie in Spain last year.

Three women are already confirmed to be on the U.S. team via qualifying points: World No. 1 Nelly Korda, five-time LPGA winner Lilia Vu, and three-time winner Ally Ewing.

“You see what an impact it makes on their career, and when you tell someone they made the team, you check off probably a life-long goal for them, and you realize what a big deal it is,” Lewis said. “And I get to be a little part of that and helping them accomplish their goals.”

Thompson, who announced in May that she’ll be “stepping away from a full time golf schedule” after this year, has not yet qualified for the team but is likely a favorite to be one of Lewis’ three captain’s picks when the full 12-member squad is finalized Aug 25.

“It’s been really cool to watch her grow. I know what I’m going to get out of Lexi Thompson when we tee it up,” Lewis said. “You’re gonna get a lot of fight. I know if she’s down through one or two holes, she’s gonna take them to 18. There’s no ounce of give up.”

The 29-year-old Thompson, who’s been in the professional golf spotlight since even before she turned pro at age 15, has played with and spoken about having a sense of relief since her announcement. It’s clear from Lewis’ sentiment about her, however, that she could envision Thompson in a leadership role in future Solheim Cups.

“That’s how she’s become a leader is just by the way she carries herself and the way she goes about her business,” Lewis said. “It’s been fun to play with her, but it’s almost been more fun to watch her in this role.”

• George Gerbo can be reached at ggerbo@washingtontimes.com.

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