Europe and the USA meet in the 2023 Solheim Cup this weekend, with hosts looking to defend the title they won on US soil two years ago in Ohio. Europe (-105) starts as the betting favorites, and here we tell you if they are a good bet to keep the cup or if the US (+115) can upset the odds and take the cup to America in our latest golf betting picks.
This is the 18th edition of the Solheim Cup. Europe is the current holder after Catriona Matthew led the team to its second successive victory (15-13) at the Inverness Club in Ohio back in 2021.
The win was the second time Catriona Matthew has led the European ladies to Solheim Cup glory, having also masterminded their 14.5-13.5 victory in 2019 at Gleneagles in Scotland.
This means Europe is going for an unprecedented three-peat. Only the USA has achieved that with trebles in 1994/96/98 and 2007/07/09. Europe has had the better in recent years, having lifted the trophy four times in the last six editions.
The US has the better record overall. Of the 17 Solheim Cups played, the USA has ten wins, and the Europeans have seven. But as the closeness in the scorelines of the two most recent editions shows, there isn’t a great deal separating the two sides.
The closeness of the two teams is confirmed in the latest Solheim Cup betting odds from the best online golf betting sites, where the Europeans are -105, the USA is +115, and a tie is +1100.
The course in Andalucia is a par 72, measuring 7,367 yards. This will be the first time the cup has been contested in Spain. Local interest will rest on the shoulders of 33-year-old Carlota Ciganda, who as the only Spaniard playing in the event, could be instrumental in whipping up support for the European Ladies.
The golf course will be set up to suit the European style of play. We’re not sure this will have as much of an impact on the outcome as it does in the Ryder Cup, but home-field advantage and momentum (winning four of the last six cups) should improve Europe’s chances of victory.
That said, the Americans come to Spain with an average ranking of 24.42, far better than Europe’s 42.58. But Europe also has far more experience in their ranks, with only three rookies in their team, compared to five of the twelve players from the US.
While we’re on the subject of great golf competitions, don’t forget the following week is the men’s turn. In the latest Ryder Cup odds, the US men are -110 to win in Europe for the first time since 1993. The Europeans are +125 to reclaim the title, with a tied series at +1100. Keep your eye on this site for our expert golf betting picks on the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Europe is captained by Suzann Pettersen, who has taken over from the legendary Catriona Matthew. Pettersen was a vice-captain of Matthew’s team in 2021, played in the 2019 competition, and was also a vice-captain to Annika Sorenstam in 2017.
The Norwegian has plenty of Solheim Cup experience and knows how to win this competition.
On the playing side, Pettersen will put a lot of faith in Celine Boutier, with the French lady the top-rated European player at No.3 in the LPGA rankings. The Europeans have eight players with experience in multiple Solheim Cups. Does this give them the edge?
Stacey Lewis is captaining the USA team for the first time. Her only other Solheim Cup leadership experience came when she assisted Pat Hurst in Ohio in 2021.
Her American team shouldn’t be intimidated by playing against Europe, despite their lesser experience on the team sheet.
The Americans have the top two players in the world, Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda, who are ranked No.1 and 2, respectively. Lilia Vu, in particular, could play a big part in any potential US win. The 25-year-old is fresh from her second career major championship victory after winning the 2023 Women’s British Open at Walton Heath in August.
That win – and her Chevron Championship victory back in April – is why she is the current World No.1.
Along with Vu and Korda, Stacey Lewis also has the World No. 8 in her ranks in Allisen Corpuz. But on the flip side, Vu and Corpuz are two of the USA team’s five rookies.
This looks like a very close match to call. We are choosing between the experience and know-how of the European team, who also has home-field advantage, or the stronger-looking (on paper), less experienced USA team.
Two of the USA rookies are in the world’s top ten. And in the case of Lilia Vu, she has won two majors this year. She will surely be up to the task. And we expect her to play a major role and lead the USA team to 2023 Solheim Cup glory against Europe.
See below the best Las Vegas sportsbooks, where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
