With the completion of the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, U.S. Captain Stacy Lewis has learned the names of the nine automatic qualifiers who will represent the Red, White and Blue at the 2023 Solheim Cup, to be held Sept. 22-24 at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain.
Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lilia Vu, a three-time LPGA Tour winner in 2023 with two major titles, leads the list of seven players named to the team via the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings. She is joined (in order of ranking) by Nelly Korda, Allisen Corpuz, Megan Khang, Jennifer Kupcho, Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee. Lee tied for 13th at the CPKC Women’s Open, the exact finish she needed to move from eighth to seventh in the points standings and secure the final automatic-qualifying berth.
“I was pretty stressed coming down the stretch today because I knew I had to finish top 13 to not have to rely on a captain’s pick,” said Lee. “I’m just super grateful and honored to represent the USA. It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. I played on two Junior Solheim Cup teams and have always wanted to play on the real Solheim Cup team. I’m just so excited and I can’t wait to play for Stacy and for Team USA.”
Additionally, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang will represent the U.S. as the two highest Americans in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings not among the seven qualifiers from the U.S. Solheim Cup Team Standings.
“It’s an honor to be on this team, for me to be with the best players in the world as well as be an athlete that represents her country,” said Zhang. “I can’t wait to go to Spain and tee it up with these amazing girls, and at the same time represent the Red, White and Blue.”
2023 marks Thompson’s sixth appearance in the biennial team competition. The only U.S. players to compete on more Solheim Cup teams are Paula Creamer (seven), Beth Daniel (eight), Juli Inkster (nine), Rosie Jones (seven), Cristie Kerr (nine) and Meg Mallon (eight).
Kang will represent the U.S. for the fourth time, with Khang and Korda appearing on their third teams. Kupcho will wear the Stars and Stripes for a second time, while Corpuz, Lee, Vu and Zhang will all be rookies on the U.S. squad in Spain.
“I am so excited to have these nine players on the team for the 2023 Solheim Cup. The last year has been exciting – and challenging – and to have these players locked in has me pumped for the week in Spain,” said Lewis. “Even the rookies aren’t true rookies in my eyes. Over the last two years, they have proven to be great competitors and I have no doubt that they won’t be overwhelmed by the experience. When we add in the captain’s picks, this is definitely going to be a very strong team.”
Lewis also receives three captain’s picks to round out the 12-player American squad. Those players will be announced on Monday, Aug. 28, at 12 p.m. EDT.
Players started accruing points toward the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings at the 2021 Portland Classic. Points were awarded to the top 20 participants at each ranking event, with double points awarded at the five major championships. The full points breakdown is available at www.solheimcupusa.com/usa-points-standings/how-to-qualify.
The biennial Solheim Cup is the most prestigious international team event in women’s professional golf. In 2019, Team Europe earned a 14.5-13.5 victory at Gleneagles in Scotland, a breathtaking win that saw Suzann Pettersen knock in the winning putt on the final hole of the final match. The U.S. Team leads the European Team, 10-6, all-time in Solheim Cup competition.
