Players to earn double Solheim Cup Points at this week's U.S. Women's Open

PARKER, Colo., July 3, 2012 - For the third time this season, U.S.-born LPGA players will have the chance to make big moves in the 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup points standings. Players finishing in the top 20 at this week's U.S. Women's Open in Kohler, Wis., will receive double Solheim Cup points.

The LPGA Tour's third major of the year, the $3.25 million U.S. Women's Open will be held July 5-8 at the Blackwolf Run Golf Course, the site of Se Ri Pak's historic playoff win over amateur Jenny Chuasiriporn in 1998.

Players realize the importance of earning Solheim Cup points in non-Solheim years, especially at major championships. For two-time Solheim Cup Team member Brittany Lang, a recent breakthrough will serve to boost her confidence at future Solheim Cups.

"Having that playoff and pressure and finally making a putt to win is going to help what matters to me most, which is the Solheim Cup," said Lang, who won her first LPGA event two weeks ago in Canada in a playoff. "In Ireland (in 2011), I didn't handle the pressure very well, and I think this is a big breakthrough for me to help play better for my girls in the Solheim Cup."

U.S. Captain Meg Mallon will be on-site to watch the drama unfold.

"Solheim Cup points are one of the bonuses you think of after you win the Open or play well," Mallon said. "I'm going to be keeping my eye on who does well here, and it's a very, very difficult golf course that will show players who have intestinal fortitude, patience and everything I'm looking for in 2013. It's going to be interesting to see who rises (to the top) in those four days."

Solheim Cup points will be doubled at all four LPGA Tour major championships this season, so players have a chance to make big jumps in one week by excelling at the majors. The same points system will apply in 2013, but players will earn one-and-a-half times as many points during the Solheim Cup year.

Players earn points for top-20 finishes at official LPGA Tour events, and only U.S.-born players are eligible. U.S. players began earning points for the 2013 Solheim Cup at the 2011 CN Canadian Women's Open.

The top eight players in the U.S. Solheim Cup standings at the yet-to-be-determined cutoff date in 2013 will automatically qualify for the team, two more will qualify based on their position in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings, and Captain Meg Mallon will select the final two team members.

The U.S. Solheim Cup points standings heading into this weekend: