Even though the 2015 Solheim Cup is still five months away, news around the event is beginning to build as the LPGA’s Spring schedule continues in earnest.
From an increased presence on social media and Team Europe’s recent unveiling of its uniforms, to intensified points races on both sides and potential Team USA members visiting a former U.S. President, the Solheim Cup is very much on the minds of countless people in the industry. On Sunday, Germany’s Golf Club St. Leon-Rot – the site of this summer’s three-day event Sept. 18-20 – reopened after the completion of a series of renovations that will make it a true match-play test for the Tour’s top stars.
Europe has won the last two stagings of the event – in Ireland in 2011 and Colorado in 2013 – but the United States still leads the all-time series 8-5 and will be bound and determined to end the Europeans’ streak. Something will have to give, and it is shaping up to be a great battle between a pair of ultra-talented squads.
On the host team’s side, England’s Charley Hull – who went undefeated at 5-0 at the Solheim Cup in 2013 – leads the points standings and is followed by Solheim Cup veteran Suzann Pettersen of Norway. Gwladys Nocera of France and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda round out the top four players in the points standings, while Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Azahara Munoz (Spain), Sandra Gal (Germany) and Catriona Matthew (Scotland) are on pace to make the team by their place in the Rolex Women’s Golf World Rankings.
Captain Carin Koch will have four picks, and there are a number of players who are in the mix for those spots while also having great chances to make the team on their own. France’s Karine Icher and Valentine Derrey, England’s Florentyna Parker and Holly Clyburn and Germany’s Caroline Masson are all in the running for spots on the 12-member team.
For the United States, Stacy Lewis once again leads the way in the points standings by a massive margin, with Solheim Cup veterans Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie, Brittany Lincicome and Cristie Kerr completing the top five. Angela Stanford, Jessica Korda, Morgan Pressel, Gerina Piller and Paula Creamer round out the top 10 and would make the team if the points cutoff was this week, and Captain Juli Inkster would have a tough decision on her hands for the two captain’s picks.
Lizette Salas, Brittany Lang, Mo Martin, Austin Ernst and Christina Kim follow in spots 11-15, and there is still plenty of time for them and others to move up in the standings. This week’s Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout Presented by JTBC is one of 12 tournaments in which players can earn points for the standings before the cutoff on Aug. 23 following the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, and three of those delightful dozen are major championships.
Points are doubled this year since it is a Solheim Cup year, so anything could happen in the coming months. Virtually no player is safe, and none are without a chance, and the standings for both teams will be lists that are increasingly scrutinized as the weeks tick by.
It’s just another reason for fans of women’s professional golf to love following both Tours through every shot of the year.
)
)
)
)
