Solheim Cup: Legend warns Europe to expect ‘hostile’ crowd

Suzann Pettersen’s European team should be prepared for a hostile reaction when they defend the Solheim Cup this week.

So says one of the legends of the competition.

Mickey Walker captained Europe in the first four editions of the contest and knows better than most what the American crowds can be like.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the six-time Ladies European Tour winner outlined her belief that, having not won the trophy since 2017, the US side will be cheered on by a particularly partisan crowd at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.

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“The Americans will feel it is essential to win and it’s going to be difficult for Europe because it can get quite hostile,” said Walker.

“The American crowds will be out there to win it. It will be very pro-American and that will be really tough.

“Those that have played before will know what to expect and they will be as prepared as they can be, but it’s a lonely place when you’re out there playing and 90% of the support is American.”

Following victories at Gleneagles in 2019 and Inverness Golf Club in 2021, Europe retained the trophy at Finca Cortesin last year courtesy of a 14-14 tie – the first such result in the competition’s history.

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No team has ever gone four consecutive matches unbeaten in the Solheim Cup, so history as well as everything else is on the line this week.

The issue of crowd behaviour has become a recurring theme at recent Ryder Cup matches and English ace Walker is keen that it doesn’t creep into the Solheim.

“The past two Ryder Cups have been bordering on the crowds not behaving very well because they have been so much behind their team,” she added.

“Rome was the worst it has been in Europe. I don’t like it. You want to win just by playing the better golf.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor