Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
The two teams for the Solheim Cup are now complete, as both the Europeans and Americans made their captain’s picks.
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Today, we look at complete Team USA and Team Europe rosters for the 2024 Solheim Cup. Both teams will take on Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, Sept. 13-15.
Team USA captain Stacy Lewis and Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen made their captain’s picks. Lewis had three to select, while Pettersen had four.
Now that the teams are complete let’s look at each squad.
Team USA Solheim Cup Roster
* Q: qualifier/ CP: captain’s pick
— Nelly Korda (Q)
— Lilia Vu (Q)
— Lauren Coughlin (Q)
— Ally Ewing (Q)
— Allisen Corpuz (Q)
— Megan Khang (Q)
— Andrea Lee (Q)
— Alison Lee (Q)
— Rose Zhang (Q)
— Lexi Thompson (CP)
— Jennifer Kupcho (CP)
— Sarah Schmelzel (CP)
It is understandable why Lewis chose Lexi Thompson, as this Cup could likely be her swan song. She is also a strong Cup player with the most experience among all the women.
Kupcho is another veteran but had just four Top 10s in 2024. Lewis feels she fits this track perfectly, so it’s understandable why she chose this route.
It is also interesting that she went with Sara Schmelzel. Yes, she has six Top-10s in 2024, but is that enough to trust her in this highly competitive situation?
Her best finish in a month came at the ISPS Honda Women’s Open with a solo eight, but her four previous starts were a T-52, T19, T-44 and an MC.
There was also a stretch from April to the end of May when she missed five cuts in six starts.
Schmelzel may surprise some people, but I am not sure this would have been my pick.
Team USA has not won the Solheim Cup since 2017 when they defeated Team Europe 16.5-11.5 at Des Moines Golf & Country Club in Iowa.
Team Europe Solheim Cup Roster
* Q: qualifier/ CP: captain’s pick
— Celine Boutier (Q)
— Maja Stark (Q)
— Charley Hull (Q)
— Leona Maguire (Q)
— Georgia Hall (Q)
— Linn Grant (Q)
— Carlota Ciganda (Q)
— Anna Nordqvist (Q)
— Madelene Sagström (CP)
— Gemma Dryburgh (CP)
— Emily Kristine Pedersen (CP)
— Albane Valenzuela (CP)
Petersen chose to fill her team with the ladies who helped win the 2023 Solheim Cup, which is a smart choice.
After retaining their Cup in Spain, they want to win four Solheim Cups in a row. The score was 14-14, but they kept the title since Team Europe won it in 2021.
Petersen’s captain’s picks include Pedersen with two Top 10s. She is a two-time Solheim Cup member and holds a 5-6-1 record.
Sagström has been on three teams for Team Europe. She holds a 3-5-1 record, but that experience will be massive.
Valenzuela is a rookie for Team Europe but a rising star. She has two top 10s in 2024 and four Top 25s on the 2024 LET, which includes three co-sanctioned events).
Dryburgh was in Spain as well for the 2023 retention.
Petersen made strategic choices in her picks. Despite their lack of winning individual records, they are all winners and know what it takes to win.
What are your thoughts about each team? Let us know!
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Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
