Lexi Thompson Named One Of Three US Solheim Cup Wildcards
The 29-year-old will play in the match for the seventh time at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in September
Lexi Thompson has been named as one of US captain Stacy Lewis’s wildcards for the Solheim Cup.
Following the AIG Women’s Open, nine players booked their places via automatic qualifying, including World No.1 Nelly Korda and two-time Major winner Lillia Vu.
That left three players for Lewis to choose as wildcards for the match against Suzann Pettersen’s Team Europe at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia. There, the hosts will be hoping to grapple the trophy from the grasp of the Europeans after they retained the trophy with 14-14 tie at Finca Cortesin in 2023.
To assist her with that task, Lewis' highest-profile wildcard choice is undoubtedly Thompson. The 29-year-old announced she was retiring from the full-time professional game earlier in the year, but she will now have a seventh and potentially final Solheim Cup appearance to look back on. She was impressive in 2023, too, claiming a record of 3-1-1, while she has an overall record of 9-7-7.
Thompson said: “It was a tremendous honor last year to play under Stacy. She’s somebody I’ve looked up to on and off the golf course. It’s just a great honor being able to represent my country.”
Lewis has also opted for more experience with the inclusion of Jennifer Kupcho. The three-time LPGA Tour winner will be making her third Solheim Cup appearance. She heads into the 2024 match with an overall record of 2-3-2.
She said: “It’s special. I mean it’s the greatest honor to be able to play for your country, but I also think it’s going to be amazing to be back on US soil.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Lewis has also turned to Sarah Schmelzel, who will be making her first Solheim Cup appearance. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old has been in good form of late, including achieving T9 at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and eighth at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open.
The Solheim Cup will take place between 13 and 15 September.
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
US Solheim Cup Team
- Nelly Korda (points list)
- Lilia Vu (points list)
- Lauren Coughlin (points list)
- Ally Ewing (points list)
- Allisen Corpuz (points list)
- Megan Khang (points list)
- Andrea Lee (points list)
- Rose Zhang (world ranking)
- Alison Lee (world ranking)
- Jennifer Kupcho (wildcard)
- Sarah Schmelzel (wilcard)
- Lexi Thompson (wildcard)
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Esther Henseleit Forced Into Last-Minute Caddie Change At The Solheim Cup
The German was forced into switching her caddie at the 11th hour after her regular looper withdrew on Thursday night
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Todd Clements Facts: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About The DP World Tour Pro
English DP World Tour star Todd Clements is building a solid professional career - here are some facts you may not know about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
Esther Henseleit Forced Into Last-Minute Caddie Change At The Solheim Cup
The German was forced into switching her caddie at the 11th hour after her regular looper withdrew on Thursday night
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LPGA Tour 'Deeply Sorry' As 'Thousands' Miss Start of Solheim Cup Due To Transport Issues
Thousands of fans missed the start of the Solheim Cup owing to long waits for shuttle buses to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
Solheim Cup Scores, Leaderboard And Live Updates: USA Lead 3-1 After Foursomes
The 19th Solheim Cup is here, as hosts USA look to win the trophy back for the first time since 2017
By James Nursey Last updated
-
Solheim Cup Pairings: Surprises And Takeaways From Friday Foursomes Match-Ups
We take a closer look at the opening four matches in the 2024 Solheim Cup
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Solheim Cup Day 1 Pairings And Matches Revealed
Stacy Lewis and Suzann Pettersen have announced their line-ups for the foursomes session on day one of the 2024 Solheim Cup
By Joel Kulasingham Last updated
-
How To Get Solheim Cup Tickets
Everything you need to know about how to purchase tickets for the 2024 Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
'The Biggest Con' - Stacy Lewis Reiterates Ryder Cup Missed Opportunity And Calls For Mixed Presidents Cup
The United States captain once again lamented the missed opportunity for more crossover between the Solheim and Ryder Cups last year
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
The $350,000 Richard Mille Watch Nelly Korda Is Wearing At The Solheim Cup
Nelly Korda is one of the biggest names in golf and, at the 19th staging of the Solheim Cup, the World No.1 has been seen wearing an eye-catching time piece
By Matt Cradock Published