Golfers With Most Fourball Wins in Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup is a unique beast. Unlike the Ryder Cup, where the US dominates, the Solheim Cup has been a back-and-forth battle. And within that battle, the fourball format has produced some of the most exciting golf. But which players have actually won the most fourball matches? Let's cut through the noise and look at the numbers.
The fourball format—also called better ball—is simple: two players per side, each plays their own ball, and the lower score on each hole counts for the team. It's aggressive, it's fast, and it rewards birdie-making. Over 19 Solheim Cups, some players have absolutely owned this format. Here's who they are.
The All-Time Leaders in Fourball Wins
Here's the complete list of golfers with the most fourball wins in Solheim Cup history. I've included the full records so you can see not just the wins, but the winning percentage and how many Cups they played.
| Player | Team | Wins | Losses | Ties | Matches Played | Win % | Cups Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristie Kerr | USA | 11 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 64.7% | 9 |
| Laura Davies | Europe | 9 | 7 | 3 | 19 | 47.4% | 12 |
| Suzann Pettersen | Europe | 9 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 69.2% | 9 |
| Annika Sorenstam | Europe | 7 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 50.0% | 8 |
| Carlota Ciganda | Europe | 6 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 46.2% | 7 |
| Anna Nordqvist | Europe | 6 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 60.0% | 9 |
A few things jump out. Kerr's 11 wins are the gold standard, but Pettersen's 9-3-1 record gives her the best winning percentage among the top six at 69.2%. She didn't play as many matches as Davies, but when she did, she won at a higher clip. Davies, on the other hand, has played more fourball matches (19) than anyone in Solheim Cup history.
Cristie Kerr: The Undisputed Queen of Fourball
Cristie Kerr didn't just win 11 fourball matches. She won 11.5 points in fourball, which is also the record. She played in nine Solheim Cups from 2002 to 2017 and went 2-0 in fourballs twice—in 2003 and 2005. In 2015 she had a win and a tie, and in her final appearance in 2017 she won her only fourball match.
Kerr played with a rotating cast of partners: Rosie Jones, Kelli Kuehne, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, and Lexi Thompson. That versatility is part of what made her so dangerous. She could adapt to anyone's game and still produce wins. Her 11 fourball victories are the most by any American in Solheim Cup history, and they're unlikely to be caught anytime soon.
The European Legends: Davies and Pettersen
Laura Davies is the Iron Lady of the Solheim Cup. She played in 12 Cups from 1990 to 2011—more than anyone else. Her 19 fourball matches are also a record. But with 9 wins, 7 losses, and 3 ties, her winning percentage sits at just 47.4%. That's not a knock on Davies—she played against the best for over two decades. It just shows that volume doesn't always equal dominance.
Suzann Pettersen, on the other hand, was ruthlessly efficient. She played in nine Cups from 2002 to 2019 and went 9-3-1 in fourball. That's a 69.2% win rate. Pettersen was a killer in the format, plain and simple. She didn't need 19 matches to rack up 9 wins. She got it done in 13.
What Is a Fourball Match in the Solheim Cup?
Fourball is one of three formats played in the Solheim Cup, alongside foursomes (alternate shot) and singles. In fourball, each of the four players on the hole plays their own ball from tee to green. The team's score for the hole is the lower of the two partners' scores. So if one player makes par and the other makes birdie, the team scores birdie.
It's also called "better ball" or "best ball." The format rewards aggressive play—if your partner is in a good position, you can take risks. If your partner is in trouble, you can play safe. It's a chess match within a chess match, and the best fourball players know exactly when to push and when to pull back.
How Many Fourball Matches Are Played in the Solheim Cup?
In the current Solheim Cup format, there are eight fourball matches total. They're played over the first two days—four matches on Friday afternoon and four on Saturday afternoon. The morning sessions are reserved for foursomes. So each player can play a maximum of two fourball matches per Solheim Cup.
That means the most fourball wins any player can get in a single Cup is 2-0. Kerr did that twice. Pettersen did it once. It's a tough ask—you need a hot partner, good matchups, and a little luck.
The Fourball Format: Why It Matters
Here's a stat that should make US fans nervous: the Americans have a losing record in fourball. Through 19 Solheim Cups, the US is 50-51-22 in fourball. That's a losing record in the format that rewards individual shot-making—something the US supposedly excels at.
Europe, meanwhile, has a 59-51-22 record in fourball. That's a significant edge. The US dominates singles (97-71-28) and is competitive in foursomes, but fourball has been a problem. That's why players like Kerr are so valuable—they can flip a losing team stat into individual wins.
Active Players Who Could Climb the List
The current leaderboard is top-heavy with retired or past-prime players. Kerr, Davies, Pettersen, and Sorenstam are all done. So who's next?
Carlota Ciganda (6 wins) and Anna Nordqvist (6 wins) are still active. Nordqvist played in the 2024 Solheim Cup and could add to her total. Lexi Thompson has 4 fourball wins and is still playing. Nelly Korda has 3 wins and is only getting started.
Nobody is catching Kerr anytime soon. But Ciganda and Nordqvist could realistically reach 8 or 9 wins if they keep playing into their 40s. The record is safe for now, but the race for second place is very much alive.
Most Fourball Wins by Team
Here's how the fourball wins break down by team among the top players:
| Team | Top Player | Wins | Total Top 6 Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Cristie Kerr | 11 | 11 |
| Europe | Laura Davies / Suzann Pettersen | 9 each | 37 |
Europe dominates the top of the list. Five of the top six players are European. The only American in the top six is Kerr. That's a staggering imbalance. It tells you that European players have historically been better at the fourball format—or at least more consistent at racking up wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most fourball wins in Solheim Cup?
Cristie Kerr holds the record with 11 fourball wins. She played in nine Solheim Cups from 2002 to 2017 and also holds the record for most fourball points won with 11.5.
What is a fourball in the Solheim Cup?
Fourball is a match play format where two-player teams compete against each other. Each golfer plays their own ball throughout the round, and the team's score on each hole is the lower of the two partners' scores. It's also known as better ball or best ball.
How many fourball matches are in the Solheim Cup?
There are eight fourball matches played over the first two days of the Solheim Cup—four on Friday afternoon and four on Saturday afternoon. Each player can play a maximum of two fourball matches per Cup.
Who has the most Solheim Cup wins overall?
Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam share the record for most overall Solheim Cup match wins with 22 each. Davies played in 12 Cups, while Sorenstam played in 8.
Conclusion
Cristie Kerr is the undisputed queen of Solheim Cup fourball. Her 11 wins are a record that will stand for years—maybe decades. But the European legends behind her—Davies, Pettersen, Sorenstam—have their own cases for greatness. The fourball format rewards aggression, partnership, and trust. The players on this list had all three in spades.
If you want to dive deeper into the Solheim Cup, check out our guide to the Solheim Cup format and the top Solheim Cup point scorers. And if you're watching the next Cup, keep an eye on Ciganda and Nordqvist. They're the ones who could make history next.