Solheim Cup 2015: Can The U.S. Rebound?

By Daniel Trnchik | Aug 5, 2015

The United States had a poor showing in the 2015 Ricoh Women’s British Open. Too many of the U.S. Solheim Cup hopefuls were on the wrong side of the cut line at Trump Turnberry. The Europeans have claimed the last two Solheim Cup titles, including their first victory on United States soil in 2013. That year, they won 18-10 and dominated the U.S. from one end of the Colorado Golf Club to the other. Can the United States rebound and stop a European three-peat?

The U.S. Solheim Cup team will be comprised of 12 players. The top 8 women in the Solheim Cup points will receive automatic berths. The next 2 picks will be the highest Rolex World ranked players outside of the Solheim Cup points system. The final 2 picks will be captains picks, made by this this years captain, Julie Inkster.

Julie Inkster will look to compile a competitive roster for the Solheim Cup

The points system for selecting the Solheim Cup Team is based on top 25 finishes on the LPGA Tour this season. Majors count as double, so some of the players on the bubble of “Selection Solheim” really hurt their chances with poor showings at the Women’s British Open. And there is no chance at redemption at The Evian Championship right before the Solheim Cup in September. Team selections will be finalized in two weeks.

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Now that the criteria are clear, let’s discuss why I’m skeptical at this point of the U.S. “bringing home the bacon” in September. Of the top 50 golfers ranked in the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings, 11 missed the cut at Turnberry last week. Of those 11, 6 were ranked in the top 16. For all you math whizzes out there, that’s about 38% of our top players who were watching the final 2 rounds of the Women’s British Open from the clubhouse.

All is not lost however, and I’ll lay down my pessimistic sword and drop some hope on ya’ll. The 2015 Solheim Cup is being played at the Golf Club St.Leon-Rot, just outside of Heidelberg, Germany. Thanks to Google translate, I now know that this course rewards two aspects of a golfers game. Driving distance, and short game accuracy. Pretty much a universal recipe for success on a golf course, this course’s flat layout and frequent water hazards requires an accurate bomber.

That being said, the U.S. has a few players who can hammer the ball off the tee, and even more who can spin a wedge in tight on their approach. The United States currently sports 4 of the top 10 longest drivers in the world (LPGA.com), and 8 of the top 25 highest GIR percentages (LPGA.com). More to come in terms of name dropping folks. I can’t shoot all my bullets just yet.

Aug 17, 2013; Parker, CO, USA; Members of team Europe hoist the Solheim Cup following the final round of the 2013 Solheim Cup at the Colorado Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The disappointment at Trump Turnberry stings. If the United States is going to end Europe’s recent dominance in the Solheim Cup, our top players will have to drive AND putt for dough. If you don’t get that reference, maybe golf’s not your game, chief . . .

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