The Solheim Cup 2024 is set to start at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club this weekend.
Emily Kristine Pedersen from Team Europe and her boyfriend Olly Brett will face off in a personal competition.
Pedersen aims to continue her success in the Solheim Cup, while Brett, who caddies for Rose Zhang, seeks victory for Team USA after seven years without a win.
Romantically involved since 2018, Pedersen and Brett have rarely been on opposite sides of the golf course. Their first competitive clash was at the Ladies Scottish Open in 2020 when Brett worked for Danielle Kang. In that tournament’s final round, Kang and Pedersen were part of an exciting playoff that Stacy Lewis won for Team USA.
Pedersen found it odd having Brett assist someone else during that match. “It was a little weird,” she said. “Normally we chat a lot, but today we didn’t say anything.”
Personal and Professional Rivalry
In Ohio’s 2021 Solheim Cup, Pedersen once again triumphed over Kang and Brett in Sunday singles, helping Team Europe secure their second win on US soil. She admitted it’s always a bit strange but emphasized they’re both professionals doing their jobs.
Talking to CNN about balancing celebration with empathy for her boyfriend, Pedersen shared: “I celebrated first but then went to thank him before joining my team because I knew we wouldn’t talk for hours.” Fans might think this rivalry adds an interesting twist to the matches!
She later teased Brett about being on the losing side but acknowledged his sportsmanship. “He’s really happy for me even though he wanted to win with the US,” she said.
As they head into the 2024 Solheim Cup, Pedersen posted a picture on Instagram showing them on a plane together—Brett in a Team USA shirt and Pederson in her Team Europe jacket—with the caption: “Let the games begin…”
Brett hopes this time around he can finally celebrate a win over Pedersen as an honorary American.
What do you think? Will love or rivalry take center stage?
