With the conclusion of the CPKC Women's Open 2023, US captain Stacy Lewis learned the names of the nine players who automatically qualified and will therefore be part of the US team at the 2023 Solheim Cup, which will be held from September 22 to 24 at Finca Cortesín, Costa del Sol, Andalusia.
World No. 1 Lilia Vu, a three-time LPGA Tour winner in 2023 with two majors included, tops the list of seven players who qualified for the team through the LPGA points ranking.
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 place at the CPKC Women's Open, a position she needed to move from eighth to seventh in the points standings and secure the final automatic qualification spot.
«I was pretty stressed down the stretch because I knew I had to finish in the top 13 so I wouldn’t have to rely on the captain’s pick,» Lee said. «I feel so grateful and honored to represent the United States. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl. I’ve played on two PING Junior Solheim Cup teams and have always wanted to play on the official team. I’m so excited and can’t wait to compete under Stacy.».
In addition, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang will represent the United States as the two highest-ranked Americans in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings who are not among the seven U.S. ranked players qualified for the Solheim Cup.
«It’s an honor to be part of this team, to be with the best players in the world, and to be an athlete representing my country,» Zhang said. «I’m looking forward to going to Spain and playing with these incredible golfers, as well as representing the United States.”.
The 2023 edition will mark Thompson's sixth appearance in the biennial team competition. The only American players who have competed more times in the Solheim Cup are Paula Creamer (seven appearances), Beth Daniel (eight appearances), Juli Inkster (nine appearances), Rosie Jones (seven appearances), Cristie Kerr (nine appearances), and Meg Mallon (eight appearances).
Danielle Kang will represent the United States for the fourth time, while this will be the third call-up for Megan Khang and Nelly Korda. Jennifer Kupcho will participate for the second time, while Allisen Corpuz, Andrea Lee, Lilia Vu, and Rose Zhang will become the rookies on the US Solheim Cup team in 2023.
«I’m so excited to have these nine players on the team. The past year has been exciting – and challenging – and having these players has me pumped up for the week we’ll be playing in Spain,» Lewis said. «Even the rookies aren’t really rookies in my eyes. Over the last two years, they’ve proven to be great competitors, and I have no doubt they won’t be overwhelmed by the experience.».
Ally Ewing, Cheyenne Knight, and Angel Yin, the captain's picks
To complete the Stars and Stripes team, the captain has selected Ally Ewing, Cheyenne Knight, and Angel Yin.
«"These past few days have certainly been some of the toughest of my career, but I'm so proud to have Ally, Cheyenne and Angel on the 2023 US Solheim Cup team," Lewis said.
«"These three golfers have earned their place on this team, proving themselves both with their play on the course and their teamwork off it. Over the past year and a half, I've gotten to know all the American players incredibly well, and I'm honored to be their captain. We're going to have an amazing week at Finca Cortesín.".
