We’ve gone over the players who are locks and who will probably make Team USA for the Solheim Cup, but what about the players who have a bit of work to do. These are players I think are firmly in the mix to make the team, but are far from likely guarantees. Here are the players I see maybe making the team:
YEALIMI NOH
Yealimi Noh is certainly in the pole position to be on the team right now, leading the Solheim Cup standings and being the fifth highest ranked American in the world. She just needs to maintain a level of play close to her current form. Noh certainly feels like the Lauren Coughlin of this year, a player who has found her confidence and is making the most of it. Still, we are a long way from September 2026, and Noh still has work to do to clinch a spot on the team.
SARAH SCHMELZEL
I think Sarah Schmelzel should feel pretty good about her chances of at least getting a captain’s selection. Schmelzel brought a lot of energy to the 2024 Solheim Cup and ended up with generally good results going 2-2 on the week. Still, Schmelzel was playing by far the best golf of her career in 2024 and her spot was still up in question before it was announced. She’ll have to put in good results moving forward to keep her name in the mix.
JENNIFER KUPCHO
Kupcho, at this point, has had a stable spot on the Solheim Cup team despite inconsistency on a week-to-week basis and in this event. Kupcho started strong in 2021, going 2-1-1, but has been 1-4-1 ever since. Kupcho over the last few years has found some more of that much needed consistency, though she still lacks the high finishes, putting her at No. 51 in the Rolex Rankings. She still has a good chance to make it, but may be the most vulnerable returning spot on the team.
AUSTON KIM
Auston Kim displays such incredible power, Angela Stanford has to have some excitement for her potential on a United States team. Kim is one of the longest drivers of the golf ball on tour, and early in her second season has shown some improvements in other areas. The results are starting to show with two top-15 finishes in the young season and if she builds on some of her momentum, expect to see her on the team.
ALEXA PANO
A lot of American fans probably wouldn’t mind some of the new departures to be replaced with younger faces and Alexa Pano certainly fits that bill. While she hasn’t necessarily lived up to the highs of winning on her 19th birthday, she is still just 20 years old and has a ton of potential. She has also paired up with Rose Zhang in the Dow Championship, giving Stanford a potential additional pairing for one of her best players.
LUCY LI
For how much hype Lucy Li had as an amateur, not many people talk about how well she played in 2024 on the LPGA Tour. While she was far from consistent, missing nine cuts, she did have 10 top-20 finishes including two top fives and runner-up at the NW Arkansas Championship. If she can be more consistent in making cuts, do not be surprised to see Li continue to rise up the Rolex Rankings and earn a spot on the team.
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