US Captain Stacy Lewis shares some insight on how stats and analytics has helped her in deciding the pairings at the Solheim Cup
In majority of international team events, the captain uses a strategy which gives them an edge over the competition. And this year, the US Team Captain Stacy Lewis is using stats and analytics for the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Spain.
With the help of stats and analytics, Stacy is deciding the pairings for most of the foursome and four-ball matches at the ongoing Solheim Cup.
“It's been my start point for everything. Analytics are a huge part of what we're doing and it's helped justify things to me in my head and it's helped justify things with the players as well,” said Stacy on Wednesday.
Later on Saturday, Stacy gave some insights on how stats has helped her in deciding the pairings,
“Yeah, so we have strokes gained data on how everyone has played this week because a lot of times you see these matches -- like, that match Danielle had today, they were 9-under par and they lost. So clearly they did not play poorly. So we have data that shows their strokes gained for the whole week, per match, driving, putting, everything, and so that's really a big influence on where we're putting people. They also have some data on historically what number in the lineup has clinched the Solheim Cup, has clinched Ryder Cups, so we used all of that to come up with a singles lineup.”
Stacy Lewis during the opening ceremony of the 18th Solheim Cup.
Along with it, the KPMG Performance Insight has also played a key role in selecting the pairings for Stacy and her crew.
“Yeah, I mean, these stats and the insights by KPMG have been so beneficial. That was really where this pairing came from, was out of there. I don't think there are two personalities that you would say, hey, I'll send them out together, but you know what? They made it work and their games meshed so well that, you know, after that first session on Friday, it was just -- I just had to keep telling myself to keep believing what we've been working on because it's right. So we're just trusting our gut and trusting the stats and what we've been working on the same way going into singles tomorrow,” said Stacy on Saturday’s Press Conference.
While Stacy is taking help of stats and analytics for deciding her pairings, but what about the home team captain Suzann Pettersen. Is she using analytics for her pairings? Well, the European captain did say yes, when she was asked the question on Wednesday’s Press Conference.
“Oh, we have a couple that I've used. They have been feeding me with all kinds. So, yes, we have,” said Suzann Pettersen.
With the scores tied at 8-8, the winner of the 18th Solheim Cup will be decided through the Sunday Singles which will begin from 11:10 local time.
[COVER PHOTO CREDIT: LPGA TOUR]
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September 24, 2023 - By Dhruv Trivedi