CASARES, Spain — Danielle Kang ended the 2023 Solheim Cup with a 2-2-0 record that featured a dominant 4-and-2 Sunday singles win over Europe’s Charley Hull.
The 30-year-old has become a key factor for the U.S. side over the last four events. She begs for noise on the first tee from the crowd and drips personality and swag all over the golf course. You can tell her confidence wears off on her teammates.
“I think on first tee, I was definitely pretty nervous. The crowds are the biggest I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Kang’s foursomes partner Andrea Lee on Friday. “But I think I settled in pretty quickly and having Danielle there is — she’s really reliable, so I just had tons of fun out there, stayed really patient.”
One of the older, more experienced players on a young, five-rookie U.S. side, this week meant a little more to Kang. She embraced her role as a leader and wanted to stand and fight for everyone who donned the red, white and blue at Finca Cortesin. One way of doing so was to write the names of everyone involved with Team USA on her golf shoes.
A detailed view of the shoes worn by Danielle Kang of Team USA on the 11th green during Day Two of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 23, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“I was so honored to be on this team, to experience what I experienced this week,” said Kang after Sunday’s final session. “People kept asking me about my shoes and why I wrote everyone’s name on there, and no, it didn’t come like that. But there was not a single person, caddies, players, staff, captain, assistant captains that I didn’t want to represent. I wanted to represent them the best that I can, and I was playing something bigger than I. I played the best I have all year, so I’m very proud.”
“Listen, when I’m old and gray one day and look back, I’m going to remember our team rooms where (Megan Khang) and (Angel Yin) and all these girls were hyping us up, and I wish you guys had a camera. I wish people could experience what I experienced last night and this week because it was unbelievable,” she continued. “Looking back, (European captain Suzann Pettersen) telling me, ‘If it was any other match, it would have already been done, but we are 10-under, 13-under going in.’ Those are the moments we live for and we built. That’s something that I want to remember. When I retire, when I’m all done with things, it’s not about who won the Cup, it’s about the moment, and we built it.”
Across four caps for the Americans Kang holds a 7-9-0 record and is now 2-2-0 in singles but the Americans fell short of claiming the Cup on Sunday in Spain.