The highly anticipated 18th Solheim Cup is set to begin on Friday, September 22, at Finca Cortesin in the town of Casares, Andalucia, Spain. This year marks the first time that Spain will host the event, and the prestigious Finca Cortesin golf course is ready to challenge the top players from both the United States and Europe.
The Solheim Cup is a team match-play competition that consists of eight foursomes, eight four-ball, and 12 singles matches spread over three days of intense competition. The American team features a combination of experienced veterans and talented rookies who will go head-to-head with their European counterparts to bring home the coveted Solheim Cup.
The American team features Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda, who qualified for the team earlier in the summer based on their performances at official LPGA Tour events. Allisen Corpuz and Megan Khang joined the team later in the summer, while Jennifer Kupcho, Danielle Kang, and Andrea Lee earned spots based on their performance in the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings.
Captain Stacy Lewis has carefully selected her team based on player performance statistics using the KPMG Performance Insights program. She added Ally Ewing, Cheyenne Knight, and Angel Yin as captain’s picks to complete the 12-person team for this year’s Solheim Cup.
When it comes to experience, the American team has a combined total of 17 appearances in past Solheim Cup competitions. Lexi Thompson leads the way with her sixth appearance, followed by Danielle Kang with three, and Nelly Korda, Megan Khang, and Ally Ewing each with two appearances.
The team’s leadership is in good hands with Captain Stacy Lewis, who has won two Solheim Cups as a player in 2015 and 2017. The three assistant captains, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis, and Angela Stanford, also bring a wealth of experience to the team, with a total of 21 previous appearances and five U.S. wins in the last nine Solheim Cups.
The American team includes five rookies, with Rose Zhang being the youngest participant in this year’s event. While having rookies on the team can bring excitement and fresh talent, history has shown that a large number of rookies does not guarantee success. The American team won the Solheim Cup with at least five rookies only once, in 2002.
Major championship success is also present in the American team, with Lilia Vu leading the team with two major titles. Allisen Corpuz claimed the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open title, while Danielle Kang, Nelly Korda, Jennifer Kupcho, and Lexi Thompson each have one major championship to their name. This recent major success brings confidence and momentum to the American team.
In terms of performance statistics, the American team has some impressive numbers. Four players rank among the top 35 in average driving distance on the LPGA Tour this season, with Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda leading the way with an average of nearly 270 yards off the tee. Allisen Corpuz leads the team in driving accuracy, ranking sixth best among all LPGA Tour players since 1992. Jennifer Kupcho and Megan Khang have been strong in hitting greens in regulation, with Khang ranking 20th in strokes gained approach.
Scoring opportunities are also on the American team’s side, with five players ranking in the top 25 for most birdies made on the LPGA Tour this season. Allisen Corpuz leads the way with 236 birdies in just 66 rounds played, averaging 3.6 birdies per round. Jennifer Kupcho has made the most eagles on the LPGA Tour this season, recording 12 eagles in her young career.
With such a strong and well-balanced team, the American players are ready to compete for the Solheim Cup and bring home the trophy for the United States. Fans from around the world will be eagerly watching as the American team showcases their talent and determination in this exciting three-day tournament.