New format for 2000 Solheim Cup

The sixth Solheim Cup will be played Oct. 6-8, 2000 at Loch Lomond Golf Club in Glasgow, Scotland, under a new format, the Ping organisation announced.

Ping also said LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley would be the captain for the American team.

"The Solheim Cup has become the pinnacle of women's professional golf, steeped in tradition," Bradley said. "I want to continue the standard of excellence."

Long-hitting Laura Davies of England said Bradley, who has won 31 LPGA Tour titles, exemplifies the successful U.S. teams in the cup competition, because she is nearing the end of a great career.

"We've got a short history, so the inspirational players are still active," Davies said about the European LPGA that provides the competition for the LG .

Sponsored by Karsten Manufacturing Corp. of Phoenix, which makes Ping golf equipment, the Solheim Cup is a match-play event that has featured four four-ball groups and four foursomes playing on the first two days of competition, with 12 singles matches on the concluding Sunday.

This year, the format calls for eight foursomes the first day, six four-ball matches the next and then the 12 singles-matches at the finish.

The change was made primarily to increase the available hours of daylight and help everyone finish, Ping CEO John Solheim said.

TRW