For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as we head towards the Solheim Cup.

1. US Solheim Cup captain Lewis: Ryder, Solheim Cups should stay in same year

BBC report…”United States captain Stacy Lewis says it is “1000% a massive missed opportunity” that the Solheim and Ryder Cups have not been promoted together.”

• “The 18th Solheim Cup between Europe’s women and the US starts on Friday at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain.”

• “However, there is little connection to the biennial men’s equivalent, which begins a week later in Rome.”

• “I’d like them [to stay] in the same year if we could get some common ground and do them together,” said Lewis.

2. Scottish Solheim Cup rookie unfazed

Brian McLauchlin for BBC Scotland…”Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh says there is no fear factor about her Solheim Cup debut…”

• “She is not fazed by going up against superstars Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda.”

• “Maybe two years ago it would have been a bit more intimidating but not now I have played with and against the girls week to week,” the 30-year-old said.

• “I’m friends with a couple of the American girls, so it is not scary. I know what to expect and I know I am just as good as them, so there is no reason to fret or be scared of anyone.”

3. Captains agree on the favorite

Golf Channel staff report…”On paper, this year’s European Solheim Cup team is one of the best ever. Captain Suzann Pettersen would argue, THE best ever. She’s not shying away from the role of favorite.”

• “I don’t think there’s anything to hide under a chair that if you look on paper, we have the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of, and that’s based on great performances over the last few years from all the players. So with good results, there’s also expectations, but these girls are so up for it, so we can’t wait,” Pettersen said Wednesday.

• …”U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, however, is comfortable in the underdog role and has no problem putting the pressure on her opponent’s shoulders.”

• “No, I think Europe’s the favorite,” she said Wednesday. “They have won the last two, we’re on their soil, they have a great team that has a ton, a ton of experience in this event. So, you look at history, you know, it doesn’t bode well for us. But I love our chances. I love these rookies. I think they’re going to have a great week and hopefully surprise a lot of people.”

4. Zhang on Solheim spot

Reuters report…”What Zhang wasn’t anticipating was a spot on the United States Solheim Cup team as a rookie. However, that became almost a certainty after Zhang was given a sponsors invite into the Mizuho Americas Open in June and went on to become the first player since 1951 to win in her LPGA debut.”

• “Three months later, Zhang is in Spain for the first time in her life as part of captain Stacy Lewis’ 12-woman team that will take on Team Europe in this week’s Solheim Cup.”

• “A hundred percent not,” Zhang said Wednesday when asked if she thought making this year’s team was possible. “I think when I played Mizuho, it was only with the intentions of starting off my career and playing the best I could, trying to make the cut. Obviously the results turned out differently and I’ve been super grateful for all the experiences that I’ve gained thus far on tour.

5. Kang goes from zero sets of clubs to 2

Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”After two days of practice at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast, the 30-year-old still didn’t have her golf clubs, but on Tuesday she addressed how her putter made the trip because she packs it separately in a rifle case so that it doesn’t get bent.”

• “On Wednesday morning, U.S. captain Stacy Lewis shared on social media that not one, but two sets of clubs had arrived for Kang, who is set to make her fourth appearance for the Americans this week.”

• “Kang plays Titleist clubs, but the folks at Ping who are on-site put together a set for her on Tuesday so she could play during the morning practice round. Titleist shipped a second set that was scheduled to arrive late Tuesday night.”

6. ICYMI: TW & Timberlake are opening a bar

Jon Hoefling for USA Today…”Tiger Woods’ business venture into golf-themed sports bars continues as he and pop star Justin Timberlake, in partnership with 8AM Golf, are opening a sports bar together.”

• “The bar, aptly named “T-Squared”, is located on East 42nd Street in Manhattan. It is…open…just in time for the Ryder Cup Tournament.”

• “The 22,000 square foot venue covers almost an entire city block. It will feature four Full Swing golf simulators, four bowling lanes, dining areas, and over 35 television screens.”

7. Amy Olson announces arrival of child

Amy Levins for Golf Digest…”The LPGA Tour has another mother amongst its ranks: Amy Olson, along with husband Grant, announced the arrival of their baby girl, Carly Gray, born Sept. 15. Olson becomes the fifth LPGA player to have a child in 2023.”

8. McIlroy to play DP World Tour Championship finale

Reuters report…”Rory McIlroy plans to play in the DP World Tour Championship in November at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.”

• “McIlroy is a two-time DP World Tour Championship winner and ended the 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2022 seasons first in the season standings.”

• “Playing at the DP World Tour Championship is always an amazing experience. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of success in Dubai and at this event in particular,” McIlroy said. “The fans have been great, it’s amazing to have that support out there for us. When you have the top 50 golfers from the DP World Tour, you know it is going to be a fantastic competition. I’ve won here on a couple of occasions and I would love to be right there come Sunday with both trophies to my name.”

• “The tournament is played Nov. 16-19.”

9. Photos from the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Champ

• Check out all of our galleries here.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we head towards the Solheim Cup.

1. Faldo on the European Ryder Cup team

James Nursey for Golf Monthly…”Former Europe Ryder Cup player and captain Nick Faldo has backed a LIV-less Team Europe for Rome.”

• “Garcia notched a staggering 28.5 points for Europe in 10 competitions from 1999 to 2021, winning 25 of 44 matches…”

• “Six-time Major winner Faldo, 66, who won 25 points in 11 appearances, was asked if Europe were weaker without Garcia, but insisted to the Golf Channel’s Golf Today: “You have got to be kidding.”

• “These guys have moved on. I think we have one of the strongest teams we have ever had. Those guys have left the tour and are in a different world now. They have not supported the tour, they are done. The game has moved on and the team has moved on. The Europe team is fantastic. I don’t think they could do anything better. They have a big backbone and guys who have been around before.”

2. Woodland has “majority” of brain tumor removed

3. Phil on gambling addiction, fantasy football, moderation

Our Matt Vincenzi…”on Monday, Mickelson shared more details in a heartfelt post, while issuing a warning for football bettors and fantasy players for the the new NFL season.”

• “Taking to X, Mickelson said:”

• “Most of you will enjoy this football season with moderation while having lots of fun and entertainment. The fantasy leagues will provide banter amongst friends and money won or lost betting won’t affect you. I wont be betting this year because I crossed the line of moderation and into addiction which isn’t any fun at all. The money wasn’t ever the issue since our financial security has never been threatened, but I was so distracted I wasn’t able to be present with the ones I love and caused a lot of harm. This lack of presence has been so hurtful. “You’re here but you’re not with us,” is something I’ve been told often throughout my addiction. It affected those I care about in ways I wasn’t aware or could fully understand. It’s like a hurricane is going on outside and I’m isolated in a shelter oblivious to what was happening. When I came out there was so much damage to clean up that I just wanted to go back inside and not deal with it.

• “If you ever cross the line of moderation and enter into addiction, hopefully you won’t confuse your enablers as friends like I did. Hopefully you won’t have to deal with these difficult moments publicly so others can profit off you like I have. But hopefully you WILL have a strong and supportive partner who is willing to help you through being your worst self, and through your worst moments like I have in Amy. She has loved me and supported me through my darkest and most difficult times. I couldn’t have gotten through this without her. I’m so grateful for her strength in helping us get through the many challenges I’ve created for us. Because of her love,support,and commitment, I’m back on track to being the person I want to be.”

• “After many years of receiving professional help, not gambling, and being in recovery from my addictions, I’m now able to sit still, be present in the moment and live each day with an inner calm and peace. I still have a lot of cleaning up to do with those I love the most but I’m doing it slowly and as best I can.”

• “This football season and beyond, enjoy yourself with moderation so it doesn’t detract from your ability to be present. In my experience, the moments with the ones you love will be far more remembered than any bet you win or fantasy league triumph.”

4. Kang’s lost clubs fiasco ahead of Solheim Cup

Via the Golf Channel digital team…”Danielle Kang’s Solheim Cup preparations hit a snag this week when her clubs apparently didn’t make a connecting flight.”

• “The fiery American (and her captain, Stacy Lewis) pleaded on social media Monday for someone to put her golf bag on a plane from Amsterdam to Malaga, Spain, where the Solheim Cup matches are being held for the first time.”

• “Kang said that Titleist is preparing a secondary set for her, while another equipment company built a set for her to play and practice with Tuesday at Finca Cortesin. Kang said that “everyone’s on top of it” – even if the possibility exists that she could play one of the biggest events of the year without her gamers.”

• “It’s been an adventure,” she told reporters Tuesday. “If it wasn’t a dramatic entrance, it wouldn’t be my life, so it’s OK. It’s all good.

• “It is what it is. You just kind of roll with the punches.”

5. Spieths welcome second child (Ryder Cup no longer in peril)

Golf Digest’s Coleman Bentley…“At Hoylake in July, Jordan Spieth put U.S. golf fans on notice when he revealed the due date for he and wife Annie’s second child was the week before the 2023 Ryder Cup. He expressed hope everything would line up, but if things ran a little off schedule, Spieth’s availability at Marco Simone would be in question. Anybody who knows anything about Spieth’s Ryder Cup heroics over the years also knows that would have been a big problem for Zach Johnson and co.”

• “Then earlier this month, Spieth was notably absent from the U.S. team’s scouting trip to Rome, further fanning the flames. Thankfully for both America and the Spieth family as a whole, on Tuesday the couple announced the arrival of little Sophie, happy, healthy and just in the nick of time. Everybody exhale.”

6. Danny Willett facing 6 months on sidelines

Bunkered report…”Danny Willett faces six months on the sidelines after aggravating his shoulder injury in the BMW Championship.”

• “The Press Association is reporting that the 2016 Masters champion is set to undergo surgery on his shoulder after the issue derailed his challenge at Wentworth last week.”

• “Willett had made a flying start to the DP World Tour’s flagship event, reaching six-under-par through 14 holes on day one, but the 2019 winner struggled with his swing after feeling his shoulder tear when striking his tee shot on the 15th.”

7. Photos from the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Champ

• Check out all of our galleries here.