Jones names Solheim Cup team for Killeen Castle showdown
The ladies’ equivalent of the Ryder Cup takes place in one month’s time as the United States, captained by Rosie Jones travels to Ireland and Killeen Castle to defend the Solheim Cup against the European team, led by Alison Nicholas.
The Safeway Classic on the LPGA was the final event in which United States players could make the team, and while Sweden’s Suzann Petterssen romped to victory in the event, United States captain Rosie Jones has now named her team to defend the trophy at the Irish venue.
Ten members of the team qualified via a points system while Jones supplemented the team with two wild-card picks, and Jones’ team is a mix of youth and experience with nine of the 10 automatic qualifiers being part of 2009’s victorious team.
So, who features in the United States team for the Ireland showdown?
Cristie Kerr – Kerr is a 2-time LPGA Major winner and a winner of 18 LPGA tournaments. Kerr has represented United States in the Solheim Cup on five previous occasions, playing 20 matches in total. Her record in all match formats reads W9-L9-H2 and she is a former world number one.
Stacy Lewis – Won this year’s Kraft Nabisco Championship, holding off defending champion and women’s current number one Yani Tseng. Lewis has one other LPGA Tour title to her name and this will be Lewis’ debut in the Solheim Cup although she has represented the United States as an amateur in the 2008 Curtis Cup.
Morgan Pressel – Former winner of the Kraft Nabisco Championship and a winner of four events on the LPGA, Pressel has featured in two previous Solheim Cup teams, playing seven matches. Her record in all formats W3-L2-H2. She is unbeaten in her two singles matches, taking notable scalps in Anna Nordqvist and Annika Sorenstam.
Angela Stanford – Yet to win a major on the LPGA, Stanford has won five times on the LPGA Tour; her last win coming in 2009. Stanford has featured in three previous Solheim Cup teams, playing nine matches in total. Her record in all formats W3-L4-H3 and in 2009 crushed Becky Brewerton in their singles match.
Paula Creamer – 2010 Women’s US Open winner, Creamer – known as the ‘Pink Panther’ is one of the most recognisable players on the women’s circuit. She has represented the United States on 3 occasions, playing 14 matches. Her record reads W8-L2-H4 and she is undefeated in singles competition.
Michelle Wie – A childhood golf prodigy, Wie has perhaps failed to live up to the considerable hype which surrounded her when she first appeared. Twice a winner on the LPGA, Wie made her Solheim Cup debut in 2009 as a wild-card pick. She played in 4 matches, winning 3 and halving the other, and won her singles match against Helen Alfredsson.
Brittany Lincicome – Another major winner in the United States team, Lincicome won the 2009 Kraft Nabisco Championship and has 3 other LPGA Tour wins to her name. She has featured in two previous Solheim Cup events, playing seven matches. Her record in all formats W2-L4-H1. One of the longest hitters on the LPGA.
Brittany Lang – Although Lang has yet to win on the LPGA, she has posted five top-10 finishes in major championships. She has represented United States in the Solheim Cup before in the 2009 match, playing 3 matches. Her record in all formats W1-L0-H2. Lang didn’t feature in any foursomes matches in 2009, and held Laura Davies to a half in their singles encounter.
Juli Inkster – Inkster is a highly decorated veteran of the ladies’ game, winning several major titles and chalking up 39 wins as a professional. Her appearance at Killeen Castle will make her the oldest player to represent their country in either the Ryder Cup or the Solheim Cup and she will also be an assistant captain to Rosie Jones. Inkster is also a veteran of the Solheim Cup, having played in eight previous events and 31 total matches. Her record in all formats is W15-L-10-H6. She has formed an excellent foursomes partnership with Paula Creamer and the pair have lost only once in five matches together.
Christina Kim – No majors but has won 3 times on the LPGA; her last coming in 2005. Kim played the Ian Poulter role in 2009’s match, galvanising the home support and her team to victory, and she has played in two Solheim Cup events, playing 8 matches. She is undefeated in singles competitions, and her record in all formats reads W5-L2-H1.
Vicky Hurst – Five wins on the Futures Tour, but yet to win on the LPGA, Hurst has been playing the LPGA since 2009 and like Brittany Lincicome is amongst the longest hitters on the Tour. Hurst is one of captain Rosie Jones’ wild-cards picks and she will be making her Solheim Cup debut in the competition.
Ryann O’Toole – Three Futures Tour wins, O’Toole is playing her first full season on the LPGA. Like Hurst, she will be making her Solheim Cup debut after being handed a wild card selection by Jones. O’Toole’s selection is a surprise with many people expecting Natalie Gulbis to be a captain’s pick. O’Toole has played only 7 events thus far and finished 18th in the points list.
The Solheim Cup takes place between September 23-25 at Killeen Castle in Ireland. Europe’s team is yet to be finalised and Alison Nicholas will confirm her line-up on August 29th. Four players, Suzann Pettersen, Melissa Reid, Laura Davies and Christel Boeljon are already assured spots on the team based on the ladies European Tour points list, whilst Maria Hjorth, Anna Nordqvist, Catriona Matthew and Sophie Gustafson currently fill the other automatic slots.
Nicholas will also have four captain’s picks to complete her team.
YourGolfTravel have Solheim Cup packages available, starting from £495 per person for ticket and accommodation. Wisit www.yourgolftravel.com or call 0800 043 6644 for more information.
Our money is on Stacey Lewis to be the outstanding performer, she has played an excellent game this year. We are very excited about and eagerly awaiting this years Solheim Cup, let’s hope Ireland gets a summer this year in September!