Meet the Solheim Cup teams: United States and Europe both announce automatic qualifiers

The AIG Women’s Open concluded the 2024 Solheim Cup qualifying period for both Europe and the U.S., finalizing 17 of the 24 players headed to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club next month. Even with a major offering more points for players attempting to play their way onto either roster, no one took over a spot in the biennial match-play event.

Four U.S. Solheim positions were still available going into the Women’s British, two off its points list and two from the world rankings. Megan Khang and Andrea Lee held onto the final slots, as Alison Lee or Rose Zhang could have passed Andrea Lee, but the 2022 Portland Classic winner beat them both with a T-22 at the Old Course.

Still, Zhang and Alison Lee earned automatic qualifying spots by taking the world ranking positions. Zhang, World No. 9 heading into the Women’s British, had plenty of breathing room, but Alison Lee as the World No. 25 at the start of the week held on with a T-29 in Scotland in fend off a T-10 push by Angel Yin, who was 34th in the rankings. Lee’s return is historic for the Americans, as making for her first Solheim since 2015 is the longest time between appearances in U.S. Solheim history, surpassing Sherri Steinhauer’s seven-year gap between 2000 and 2007.

The American roster had a talented quintet of Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, Lauren Coughlin, Ally Ewing and Allisen Corpuz earn spots before the tournament started at St. Andrews. They amassed a combined 14 LPGA wins and three major titles over the qualifying period, led by Korda’s six-win campaign and two by Coughlin over the last four events. The 31-year-old is the only American Solheim rookie from the automatic qualifiers, earning her spot thanks to her breakout campaign that has seen her rise from No. 109 at the start of the year up to 14th in the rankings.

Lewis expressed confidence in her squad, which has been searching for its first Solheim Cup victory since 2017 at De Moines Golf and Country Club.

“I’m just excited to have the team finalized,” Lewis said in a release. “Much of this crew is repeating from 2023, so a lot of them have experience. We had five that were qualified coming into the week, and I’m happy to have Megan and Andrea back again. They were big parts of last year’s success.”

Europe saw no change in its two qualifiers off its points list as Charley Hull took the top spot, and will play in her seventh Solheim Cup at only 28 years old. Olympic silver medalist Esther Henseleit remained in the second qualifying position. Henseleit is the only European rookie from the automatic qualifying positions.

European captain Suzann Pettersen has six Solheim veterans coming off the Rolex Rankings: Celine Boutier, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Leona Maguire, Carlota Ciganda and Madelene Sagstrom. They combine for 17 appearances.

“The European team is looking great right now for the 2024 Solheim Cup,” Pettersen said in a release. “Congratulations to the eight players who have automatically qualified. We have so much experience on the team but it’s also great to have Esther making her Solheim Cup debut this year. The European players have been putting in great performances this year and we’re excited for September.”

As of the world rankings a week ago, five of Pettersen’s eight automatic qualifiers have trickled down the world rankings since tying the contest at Finca Cortesin last September, and none have won on the LPGA in 2024.

Those not automatically qualified must wait two more days to see if they’ll be picked. Pettersen will make her four captain’s picks Monday morning, while Lewis will make her three selections on Tuesday morning.