The jam-packed women’s golf schedule isn’t over yet. It continues next week with the Solheim Cup at Inverness in Ohio, and the event took greater shape Monday morning as both rosters were finalized with respective captains’ picks for Team Europe and Team USA.
Team USA will feature eight of the top 30 players in the world, headlined by No. 1 Nelly Korda, who will is at the head of the pack for the LPGA Player of the Year title. Nelly and her sister Jessica will surely pair up during the doubles portions of the event, which begins Saturday September 4.
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Joining the Kordas are Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, Ally Ewing, Austin Ernst, Megan Khang, Lizette Salas and Jennifer Kupcho. Captain Pat Hurst then selected Brittany Altomare, Mina Harigae and Yealimi Noh as the three captain’s picks Monday morning, leaving Amy Olson as the highest-ranked American (35th) who will not play in Toledo.
Across the pond, Team Europe announced six captain’s picks to round out its roster. Captain Catriona Matthew went with a perfect mix of experience and rookies in good form. Madelene Sagstrom, Celine Boutier and Mel Reid will all be sporting the blue and gold next week in Ohio. They’ll be joined by three rookies in Leona Maguire, Matilda Castren and Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who all finished in the top 20 at the AIG Women’s Open Sunday.
While most of the European team was up for debate just weeks ago, the roster totally showed out during the Women’s Open. Anna Nordqvist won it all after qualifying for the team automatically. Georgia Hall was also already qualified, and gave her a run for the championship at Carnoustie, eventually finishing just one shot back. Their team will be rounded out by Carlota Ciganda, Emily Kristine Pederen, Sophia Popov and Charley Hull.
With the Solheim Cup taking place during Labor Day weekend, practice rounds are scheduled for Tuesday (August 31) through Friday, with the competitive matches starting on September 4. Below are the full lists of players.
TEAM USA:
Nelly Korda
Danielle Kang
Lexi Thompson
Lizette Salas
Jess Korda
Ally Ewing
Austin Ernst
Jennifer Kupcho
Yealimi Noh
Megan Khang
Brittany Altomare
Mina Harigae
TEAM EUROPE:
Anna Nordqvist
Georgia Hall
Sophia Popov
Charley Hull
Carlota Ciganda
Leona Maguire
Madelene Sagstrom
Matilda Castren
Nanna Koertstz Madsen
Mel Reid
Celine Boutier
Emily Kristine Pedersen