At the start of the 2024 season, Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis thought her team in September might look an awful lot like the one she took to Spain last year.
Alison Lee, who finished the 2023 season white hot, was certainly on her radar. But it sounded like she might be the only one.
Fast forward to March, and the door has opened for a number of players.
“One, I think we’ve got a long ways to go,” said Lewis at Chevron Championship media day. “But I do think there’s going to be more shuffling than I thought. All the captains had a meeting a couple days ago, and we all kind of said that.”
Georgia’s Bailey Tardy won her first LPGA title on Sunday in China while Sarah Schmelzel notched her second consecutive top 10. Alexa Pano, who won her first LPGA title last year in Northern Ireland, started off with a runner-up finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions but has struggled since, withdrawing from the HSBC in Singapore.
Following the Blue Bay LPGA, Tardy jumped from 21st to 14th in the U.S. Solheim Cup standings while Schmelzel moved to 11th, just one point behind Alison Lee.
In the Rolex Rankings, Schemzel moved up 22 spots to No. 73 while Tardy moved up 85 spots to 84th.
The U.S. team will be finalized on Aug. 24 following the AIG Women’s British Open at St. Andrews.
The top seven players in the U.S. Solheim points list receive automatic bids along with the top two players in the Rolex Rankings not already eligible. Lewis will then have three captain’s picks.
“Sarah and Bailey, while they played great, they still have work to do,” said Lewis. “It’s very early in this process. We have major championships still to be played.”
One thing is certain: Lewis will be reaching out.
Here’s how things stand for the top 15 Americans following the tour’s Asian swing:
Alexa Pano of the United States plays her shot from the 16th tee during the final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 21, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
411 points
Bailey Tardy tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)
415 points
Lauren Coughlin plays her shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club….
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