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Solheim Cup captain swaps sports drinks for vodka

22 August 2017 By Phoebe French

US Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster has attracted widespread praise not only for her second successive win at the weekend, but also for being snapped clutching a cup of vodka and tonic while she watched the matches.

Celebrating early? 🇺🇸 #VodkaTonic @SolheimCupUSA pic.twitter.com/nODDMd7BFY

— Lance Gray (@LanceGray29) August 20, 2017

Inkster, the successful US Solheim Cup captain for the second time in a row, led America to victory over the European team at the weekend.

The Solheim Cup, the female equivalent to the Ryder Cup, is a biennial golf tournament contested by teams from Europe and the US. Taking place this year at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa, the cup was once again retained by the United States with a final score of 16.5 to 11.5 – the USA’s largest victory margin since 1996.

Inkster, however, has also achieved ‘hero status’ on social media after being spotted on several occasions clutching a styrofoam cup with ‘vodka tonic’ scrawled on the outside.

Nothing like a vodka tonic to celebrate!👍⛳️🇺🇸🍸 pic.twitter.com/YwCUQ0y22t

— Tom Bubba Franks (@bubba91362) August 20, 2017

She continued to hold on to the cup during an interview after the US victory was confirmed.

The winning USA Captain @JuliInkster!! pic.twitter.com/zOswGEXLFI

— #SolheimCup2017 (@LPGA) August 20, 2017

Inkster turned professional in 1983 and has 31 career victories on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association). As a player, she has won more Solheim Cup matches than any other female American.

In an interview after the victory on Sunday (20/08/2017) Inkster said of women’s golf: “We don’t get what credit we’re due. If we play well, the courses are too short. If we don’t play well, we’re not good enough”.