CASERAS (Spain) — Stacy Lewis, the United States Solheim Cup Captain, didn’t hesitate to address Lexi Thompson’s struggles during this season when she made her selections for this weeks event at Finca Cortesin.
Lewis said last month that there were “definitely some concerns” about her play. “Talking with her, however, I think she has handled all of this very well. You wouldn’t know she was struggling as much as she is now if you saw her off the course.
Thompson is a high-flyer, so to say she struggles would be an understatement. The 28-year old has made 11 starts on the LPGA this season and missed eight cuts. She had three finishes at T-31, T47, and T-19, most recently, the Kroger City Championship, earlier this month. This was after a run of five missed cut. Thompson, who qualified for the sixth Solheim Cup this year based on her world ranking will be the longest-serving player for Team USA at Finca Cortesin, located along the southern coast of Spain. Thompson made her debut at 18 years old in 2013. She has a record of 6-6-7 (1-1-3 singles).
Lewis added, “She will not quit or give up the golf course. Sometimes I think this is the most important aspect of Solheim Cups and other team events.”
Thompson said during a Tuesday afternoon press conference that “this week, I am not looking back at the past.” “I’m with my team and will represent myself at my best this week.”
Danielle Kang, , who has been having her own struggles this week, said: “It is like Justin Thomas stated, any shot or any moment can change the game.” You can’t judge a player’s entire career by how she has been playing recently, right?
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Kang is honored to be a part of the Red, White and Blue every two years, when it is hosted. Thompson also agreed, noting that her No. The first goal is to be selected for the team. Lewis will rely on the passion and leadership of these five rookies this week, as they make their debut with the American team.
Kang admitted, “I had no idea we had so many rookies.” “Over the course of two years, everyone competes with each other and against the field. But rookies or veteran or not, I believe our team is very strong and that they are playing great golf.”
Lilia Vu has won two majors in this season’s Chevron Championships and AIG Women’s Open. Allisen Corpuz won the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open. Cheyenne Knight has won twice on the tour and Rose Zhang, 20, won her first professional title earlier this year.
Kang said that it doesn’t really matter whether you are a Solheim Cup rookie or third-timer. “They all act as their own leaders, and they know exactly how to play their games. I find it very inspiring, regardless of who it is.”
Thompson echoed, “I think that we are all leaders in our way.” We bring our strength to the team, the captains, and the assistant captains. It is not about one person dominating the other. “It’s about coming together as a group.”
Thompson, modest and supportive of teammates that she is, will be heavily relied on this week in Spain. This year’s stroke play form wasn’t there, but the Solheim Cup is a different challenge than the weekly LPGA stops. She’s done well in the Solheim Cup before. She has won 11 times and is undefeated at two Solheim Cups. In 2015 and 2017, she had a 2-0-2 record.
Thompson, as an amateur member of Team USA, was unbeaten for three years in a row: 3-0-1 during the Curtis Cup 2010 and 3-0-0 both at the Junior Solheim Cup 2009 and Junior Ryder Cup 2008.
This week, she will have another opportunity to do what she loves: Score points for Team USA.
