The 2011 Solheim Cup was the 12th Solheim Cup matches, held 23–25 September in Ireland at Killeen Castle in County Meath, northwest of Dublin. The biennial matches are a three-day contest for professional female golfers, between teams of 12 top players from the United States and Europe. Entering the 2011 matches, the U.S. had won the three recent competitions, with Europe's last victory coming eight years earlier in 2003 in Sweden. After the first two days of team play, the competition was tied at 8-all. Europe went 7–5 in singles on Sunday and regained the Cup, 15–13. It was Europe's fourth win, all won on home soil.
Day 1 : Four foursome matches in a morning session and four fourball matches in an afternoon session. A total of eight players from each team participate.
Day 2 : Four foursome matches in a morning session and four fourball matches in an afternoon session. A total of eight players from each team participate.
Day 3 : 12 singles matches. All 12 players from each team participate.
With a total of 28 points, 14½ points are required to win the Cup, and 14 points are required for the defending champion to retain the Cup. All matches are played to a maximum of 18 holes. If the score is even after 18 holes, each team earns one-half point.
Teams
Eligibility criteria
The European and United States teams have different eligibility criteria. Members of the European Tour must be current members of the Ladies European Tour and must be "a European national," defined by Solheim Cup rules as someone:
Either:
born in a European country; and
holds a current passport of that European country;
Or:
has been naturalised as a citizen of a European country;
has held a current passport of that European country for the immediately preceding four consecutive years;
has resided in that European country for the immediately preceding four consecutive years.
A European country is a nation situated in the continent of Europe and is recognised as an independent state by the United Nations.
Any player who holds dual nationality shall elect on joining the Ladies European Tour in each of 2010 and 2011 whether she wishes to be eligible for selection for the 2011 European Solheim Cup Team.
Members of the United States team must be current members of the LPGA Tour and be born in the United States.
Team selection
The European and United States teams are selected by different methods. Team Europe was selected by taking the top four players from the LET Solheim Cup standings, followed by the top four Ladies European Tour members on the Women's World Golf Rankings as if 29 August 2011, were not already qualified via the Solheim Cup standings, and four captain’s selections. Qualifying points for Team Europe were awarded weekly to the top-10 finishers at official LET events. Team USA qualified by earning points for wins and for top-20 finishes on the LPGA Tour over a two-year period. Points were earned beginning with the 2009 Safeway Classic and concluding with the 2011 Women's British Open. Points were increased in 2011 and doubled in the four major tournaments. The ten players with the highest points were automatically selected for Team USA. Two additional players were selected by captain Rosie Jones before the start of the Matches.
Team Europe
1Age at the start of the 2011 Solheim Cup matches on 23 September 2011.
2Residence/Hometown according to official Solheim Cup designation. LET rankings as of 20 August 2011 Rolex rankings as of 29 August 2011
Team USA
Juli Inkster was a player and assistant captain, the first time in Solheim Cup history that an assistant captain was also a player. 1Age at the start of the 2011 Solheim Cup matches on 23 September 2011.
2Residence/Hometown according to official 2011 Solheim Cup designation.
Rolex rankings as of 21 August 2011. Rolex ranking does not factor into US Team selection. Shown for comparison purposes only.
