SUGAR GROVE, Ill. ' In todays golf world, where many players seem to have a different coach for every aspect of their game, perhaps Laura Davies has found the magic formula for success.
I don’t practice as much as the rest, it’s as simple as that, Davies said Wednesday at her beloved Solheim Cup. They’re all out there again today smashing golf balls and I’ve been doing my laundry and got some things for the team room. It’s been a nice afternoon.
I genuinely believe that’s why I’m here longer than most, because I don’t play golf 24 hours a day.
When you watch Davies stroll the fairways this week at Rich Harvest Farms, take time to appreciate what she has brought to this competition. Theres never been another like her. There never will be again.
Davis talked Wednesday about how shes unpleasantly aware of the Americans 7-3 overall record against Europe in these matches and that the Europeans have never won the Cup on U.S. soil. Its a fact that has gnawed at Davies for the better part of two decades.
Id love to play in at least four more and try and make it 7-all, Davies said without a hint of jest. That would be my dream, and obviously that would constitute a couple of wins in America , which is the ultimate as far as Im concerned. If we dont do it in my time playing in the Solheim then it would be a huge hole in my career.
Although the long-hitting Englishwoman says shed like to play in four more ' which would put the 45-year-old well into her mid-50s ' reality is this is probably her last Solheim Cup. She struggled to make the team on points and even added another Ladies European Tour event late this summer that helped her just sneak into the top-nine automatic qualifiers.
Davis says that her poor form from earlier this summer is gone and that shes hitting the ball well again. Its difficult to figure out if thats truth or just a tactic being used by a wily veteran. Still, experience that shes gained from playing in 41 total Solheim Cup matches and a total record of 21-16-4 will do nothing but help a European team that is considered one of the biggest underdogs in the history of this event.
Shes all about what the whole tournaments about, said Becky Brewerton. The way she plays, especially in match play, with an aggressive game. Theres so many Solheim Cup moments and so many of the best tournaments that I remember watching on TV and playing that seem to have had her involved from some point.
Brewerton, from Wales , was a European rookie in 2007 at Halmsted, Sweden and Davies took the young rookie under her wing. They played practice rounds together and captain Helen Alfredsson paired them together twice, once for fourballs and once for foursomes. They won one, lost one.
For me it was unbelievable, my first Solheim, and if I could have had any dream, it would have been to have played with Laura, said Brewerton, a captains pick here this year. To get to play with her in the first one was fantastic.
Whatever happens this week for Europe, Davies is sure to be part of the story, just as she has been so many times before.
If this is her last Cup as a player, Davies said she has no designs of being a captain. In fact, she says that every time her name has been mentioned by Solheim officials as a future captain, shes squashed the idea. She doesnt believe she has the patience, devotion or motivation to take on the role.
Im just not the person to stand up in front of a room of people and try and cheer them all up, Davies said. Thats just never been my way, and I think as a captain, you have to command the audience.
I love playing, thats what I do. Id love to be a vice captain maybe and sort of loiter in the background if I cant play anymore, but no, [being captain] is not something I fancy.
Itd be a shame if Europe s greatest player (not named Annika Sorenstam) never called the shots for what she considers the grandest event in womens golf.
But if thats the case, its her decision. Davies has always done things her way.
No way shed stop now.
Watch exclusive GolfChannel.com LIVE streaming coverage of Day 1 of the Solheim Cup, Friday from 2 pm- 4 pm ET.
Related Links:Full Coverage - Solheim Cup Meet the European Solheim Cup team Meet the U.S. Solheim Cup team
I don’t practice as much as the rest, it’s as simple as that, Davies said Wednesday at her beloved Solheim Cup. They’re all out there again today smashing golf balls and I’ve been doing my laundry and got some things for the team room. It’s been a nice afternoon.
I genuinely believe that’s why I’m here longer than most, because I don’t play golf 24 hours a day.
Laura Davies practices ' a little ' Wednesday at Rich Harvest Farms. (Getty Images)
This marks the 11th playing of this biennial event between the U.S. and Europe . Its the 11th time Davies will play.When you watch Davies stroll the fairways this week at Rich Harvest Farms, take time to appreciate what she has brought to this competition. Theres never been another like her. There never will be again.
Davis talked Wednesday about how shes unpleasantly aware of the Americans 7-3 overall record against Europe in these matches and that the Europeans have never won the Cup on U.S. soil. Its a fact that has gnawed at Davies for the better part of two decades.
Id love to play in at least four more and try and make it 7-all, Davies said without a hint of jest. That would be my dream, and obviously that would constitute a couple of wins in America , which is the ultimate as far as Im concerned. If we dont do it in my time playing in the Solheim then it would be a huge hole in my career.
Although the long-hitting Englishwoman says shed like to play in four more ' which would put the 45-year-old well into her mid-50s ' reality is this is probably her last Solheim Cup. She struggled to make the team on points and even added another Ladies European Tour event late this summer that helped her just sneak into the top-nine automatic qualifiers.
Davis says that her poor form from earlier this summer is gone and that shes hitting the ball well again. Its difficult to figure out if thats truth or just a tactic being used by a wily veteran. Still, experience that shes gained from playing in 41 total Solheim Cup matches and a total record of 21-16-4 will do nothing but help a European team that is considered one of the biggest underdogs in the history of this event.
Shes all about what the whole tournaments about, said Becky Brewerton. The way she plays, especially in match play, with an aggressive game. Theres so many Solheim Cup moments and so many of the best tournaments that I remember watching on TV and playing that seem to have had her involved from some point.
Brewerton, from Wales , was a European rookie in 2007 at Halmsted, Sweden and Davies took the young rookie under her wing. They played practice rounds together and captain Helen Alfredsson paired them together twice, once for fourballs and once for foursomes. They won one, lost one.
For me it was unbelievable, my first Solheim, and if I could have had any dream, it would have been to have played with Laura, said Brewerton, a captains pick here this year. To get to play with her in the first one was fantastic.
Whatever happens this week for Europe, Davies is sure to be part of the story, just as she has been so many times before.
If this is her last Cup as a player, Davies said she has no designs of being a captain. In fact, she says that every time her name has been mentioned by Solheim officials as a future captain, shes squashed the idea. She doesnt believe she has the patience, devotion or motivation to take on the role.
Im just not the person to stand up in front of a room of people and try and cheer them all up, Davies said. Thats just never been my way, and I think as a captain, you have to command the audience.
I love playing, thats what I do. Id love to be a vice captain maybe and sort of loiter in the background if I cant play anymore, but no, [being captain] is not something I fancy.
Itd be a shame if Europe s greatest player (not named Annika Sorenstam) never called the shots for what she considers the grandest event in womens golf.
But if thats the case, its her decision. Davies has always done things her way.
No way shed stop now.
Watch exclusive GolfChannel.com LIVE streaming coverage of Day 1 of the Solheim Cup, Friday from 2 pm- 4 pm ET.
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