GAINESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Lexi Thompson is playing in the Solheim Cup for the seventh straight year, one of three captain’s picks announced Tuesday as the Americans try to win back the cup from Europe.
Thompson first played the Solheim Cup in 2013 at age 18, making her the youngest American to compete since the matches began in 1990.
U.S. captain Stacy Lewis also chose Jennifer Kupcho and Sarah Schmelzel for the Sept. 13-15 matches at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
The seven players who automatically qualified are Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, Lauren Coughlin, Ally Ewing, Allisen Corpuz, Megan Khang and Andrea Lee. Rose Zhang and Alison Lee qualified through the women’s world ranking.
“Lexi was probably the easiest pick to make of these three, with her experience,” Lewis said. “I know what Lexi can do at a Solheim Cup and that definitely helped her get a pick. She’s somebody who is going to help the team out a lot, on the golf course and also off.”
Cristie Kerr holds the American record by playing in nine consecutive Solheim Cup matches. Juli Inkster also played nine times, eight in a row after she had two daughters. Laura Davies of England holds the overall record by playing 12 in a row.
Thompson announced in late May this would be her final year playing a full schedule, though she has not elaborated on what that means.
“It means the world to me. To be able to represent my country, it’s the highest honor that you can possibly have,” Thompson said.
Kupcho is playing for the third time, while Schmelzel joins Coughlin as the only Solheim Cup rookies for the U.S. team.
Last year’s matches in Spain ended in a draw, with Europe retaining the cup as the previous winner. The United States leads the series, 10-7-1. The Americans haven’t won the Solheim Cup since 2017.
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