In an announcement after the conclusion of the Ricoh Women’s British Open won by Stacy Lewis last Sunday, USA Team Captain Meg Mallon added her two captain’s picks for the 2013 Solheim Cup. Gerina Pillar and Michelle Wie were chosen by Captain Mallon to round out the 12-woman team.
Gerina Pillar
Pillar joined the LPGA in 2010. She does not have a win, but has five top-10 finishes in 2013 and was No. 12 on the Solheim Cup points list. She has earned $278,500 this year, is No. 31 on the LPGA Tour money list and No. 57 on the Rolex Rankings.
Michelle Wie:
The more controversial pick was the addition of Michelle Wie to the team. Wie has struggled over the past year on the greens. Her last win came at the 2010 Canadian Women’s Open while she was still a student at Stanford.
Wie only has two top-10 finishes this season and with $137,500 in total earnings is No. 55 on the LPGA Tour money list and No. 82 on the Rolex Rankings.
Solheim Cup is a match play event, evidently Mallon feels that Wie’s experience and superior ball-striking abilities will help intimidate the Europeans.
LPGA Tour rookie Jennifer Johnson has a win this season and was ranked above Wie in Solheim Cup points, but Mallon chose Wie for the team.
Stacy Lewis:
The top point earner for Team USA was Stacy Lewis. She just collected her third win of the year and her second career major championship at St. Andrews in the Women’s British Open.
Lewis had six wins in 2012 and was named the LPGA Tour’s Player of the Year. She was ranked No. 1 on the Rolex Rankings for four weeks earlier this season until Inbee Park went on her winning barrage.
She is ranked No. 2 in the world and No. 2 on the 2013 LPGA money list.
Paula Creamer:
Creamer was second on the Solheim Cup points list. She struggled with injuries in the past, but seems to be returning to the form that allowed her to win the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open. She is one of the most popular players on the LPGA Tour and is always near the top in putting statistics on the tour.
She has five top-10 finishes this year including one runner-up, one third place finish and two fourths. She has played consistently all season and with $675,000 in earnings is No. 9 on the LPGA Tour money list.
Cristie Kerr:
Kerr has two major championship trophies on her mantle and has been a top ranked competitor on the LPGA for several years. This will be her seventh appearance in the Solheim Cup.
She has three top-10 finishes this year including a win at the Kingsmill Championship in May. She is ranked No. 12 in the world and is a very determined competitor in the match play format.
Given her experience and consistent style of play she can be easily paired with any of the rookies.
Angela Stanford:
Stanford joined the LPGA in 2001 and is another veteran that Captain Mallon can call on to help the newer players adjust to the Solheim Cup jitters.
She has five career tour wins and five top-10 finishes this year. She is ranked No. 16 on the Rolex Rankings and this will be her fifth Solheim Cup appearance.
Brittany Lincicome:
Lincicome is just 27 years old and has been a member of three Solheim Cup teams previously. She has five LPGA Tour wins including the 2009 Kraft Nabisco. Her last win came at the 2011 Canadian Women’s Open.
She has struggled this year with seven missed cuts and her only top-10 came at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Lexi Thompson:
Thompson is just in her second year on the LPGA Tour and is only 18 years old. She will be making her first appearance in the Solheim Cup.
She has three top-10 finishes in 2013 and is No. 29 on the money list.
Thompson is very long off the tee and should pair well with one of the veterans.
Jessica Korda:
Korda is another youngster making her first Solheim Cup team. She has one win on the LPGA Tour at the 2012 Women’s Australian Open.
She has been one of the most consistent players on tour this year with five top-10 finishes.
Brittany Lang:
This will be Lang’s third Solheim Cup. She has one win on tour at the 2012 Manulife Classic.
She has missed five cuts this year and only has one top-10, a T-7 at the U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack.
She has not been playing her best golf this year and Mallon will need to draw the best from her.
Lizette Salas;
Salas is in her second year on the LPGA Tour and will be playing in her first Solheim Cup.
She does not have a win yet, but was runner-up at the Lotte Championship, fourth at the RR Donnelley and finished sixth at both the Kia Classic and the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews.
Salas brings youth, enthusiasm and a great golf game to Team USA. Look for her to be one of the keys to American success.
Morgan Pressel:
Pressel led and was in contention for three rounds at the Women’s British Open before falling back in the final round. She ultimately finished tied for fourth.
She secured her spot on the Solheim Cup points list and this will be her fourth appearance on the team.
She is a fiery competitor and a match play specialist. She is a perfect 3-0 and has never lost a Solheim Cup singles match. Her 7-2-2 overall record confirms her proficiency at match play.
Captain Mallon will lean on this experience during the competition.
The Solheim Cup will be played at the Colorado Country Club just outside of Denver, Colorado. This will be the 13th edition of the Solheim Cup and the matches will be held August 16-19.