Solheim Cup drama shows the PGA Tour are missing a huge trick after 2023 decision

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Those expecting the final day of the Solheim Cup to prove to be a procession were in for a surprise, with Europe almost pushing USA all the way in the singles at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.

There was absolutely no doubt at all that USA were the dominant force over the first two days of the Solheim Cup, with Stacy Lewis’ side not losing a single session over Friday and Saturday in Virginia. They went into Sunday with a 10-6 lead as they looked to win the trophy for the first time since 2017.

Emphatic victories for the likes of Megan Khang, Allisen Corpuz and Rose Zhang got the US to 13 points fairly early on in the day. But Europe also landed blows of their own, with Charley Hull taking out Nelly Korda, while Georgia Hall beat Alison Lee.

And the fightback started to make its way through the field. At one very brief stage, Europe were on course to get to the 14 points which would have seen them retain the cup for the second straight year.

Solheim Cup shows that the PGA Tour are really missing a trick

Ultimately, they ended up coming up short, with the US going on and winning 15.5-12.5. However, the visitors deserve enormous credit for giving Lewis’ side a good scare.

It was another phenomenal weekend in the history of the Solheim Cup. And with that, it is perhaps fair to suggest that the event has confirmed that the PGA Tour have missed a real trick over the last couple of years.

Of course, the PGA Tour is fighting to attract fans amid the backdrop of the ongoing civil war involving LIV Golf. It has been a decent year, with Scottie Scheffler enjoying an outstanding season with eight worldwide wins.

Time to rectify error made in 2023

However, the PGA Tour is quite clearly not the perfect product. The format of The Tour Championship has come in for criticism, particularly after Scheffler enjoyed such an outstanding year. The advantage he had at East Lake also took almost all of the drama out of the event, and made it feel like quite the damp squib finish to the season.

The signature events have been outstanding at times, bringing the PGA Tour’s best players together on a consistent basis. But that also has a negative impact on the rest of the events throughout the calendar.

So things have to change, and surely the need for a matchplay event has now increased after the brilliant drama – once again – of the Solheim Cup.

Matchplay can be dull at times, but for many golf fans, there is arguably no better format when the matches get tight. And it would provide a real change of pace from the usual events on the PGA Tour.

The matchplay event has not been played since 2023 after being on the calendar for nearly 25 years. When you watch drama like what took place on Sunday at the Solheim Cup, it is hard not think that it is already time to bring it back.