2019 USA Solheim Cup Team Predictions

[AWinfortheAges]

USA Solheim Cup Team Standings as of 01/05/2019

 

In via Rolex World Ranking: Cristie Kerr & Michelle Wie

 

RANK NAME SOLHEIM CUP POINTS

1 Lexi Thompson 265

2 Jessica Korda 232

3 Danielle Kang 227

4 Lizette Salas 220

5 Nelly Korda 218

6 Marina Alex 199

7 Brittany Lincicome 172

8 Austin Ernst 169

9 Megan Khang 167

10 Angela Stanford 161

11 Cristie Kerr 157

12 Brittany Altomare 154

13 Jennifer Song 138

14 Angel Yin 130

15 Michelle Wie 128

16 Jacqui Concolino 122

17 Amy Olson 121

18 Ryann O'Toole 110

19 Stacy Lewis 103

20 Ally McDonald 90

21 Lindy Duncan 89

22 Mo Martin 86

23 Annie Park 84

24 Emma Talley 68

25 Jane Park 62

 

Any early predictions on who makes the team? Who should be captain's picks?

 

I think Stacy Lewis will play herself into the top 8. If not she's a captain's pick. Gerina currently has 17 points. I wonder if she and Stacy may be inclined to skip this year since they are new moms and the event is not in the US. I'm rooting for Megan Khang to maintain or improve on that 9th place standing.

[Shilgy]

If, as you say, Stacy and Gerina are disinclined to play overseas I would think they will not qualify for the team anyways. Too many events are off US soil.

[llewol007]

Dont matter who is on the team. Just as long as my feisty Cristie Kerr is on there. I am all good.

[ChronicSlicer]

I don`t see players 1-6 going anywhere,maybe not in that order, but they will be there. I could see Angel Yin and Ryann O`Toole making a run at it, depending on the play of Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, and Angela Stanford.

 

I just hope Princess Paula, is NOT playing unless she deserves to play..I`m not a fan of the " Well it`s Paula, we have to have her on board"

[Shilgy]

I would expect Megan Khang to continue to move up a bit and Wie will be there, if healthy. Always a big IF with Michelle.

[Argonne69]

Amy Olsen has been steadily improving. I expect to see her jump a number of spots.

 

Emma Talley will be in her second season, so she'll likely move up.

[North Texas]

I don`t see players 1-6 going anywhere,maybe not in that order, but they will be there. I could see Angel Yin and Ryann O`Toole making a run at it, depending on the play of Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, and Angela Stanford.

 

I just hope Princess Paula, is NOT playing unless she deserves to play..I`m not a fan of the " Well it`s Paula, we have to have her on board"

 

Only 1 American player had more points than Princess Paula in the 2017 Solheim Cup.

[ChronicSlicer]

I don`t see players 1-6 going anywhere,maybe not in that order, but they will be there. I could see Angel Yin and Ryann O`Toole making a run at it, depending on the play of Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, and Angela Stanford.

 

I just hope Princess Paula, is NOT playing unless she deserves to play..I`m not a fan of the " Well it`s Paula, we have to have her on board"

 

Only 1 American player had more points than Princess Paula in the 2017 Solheim Cup.

 

I understand she performs well at the event, but I also believe you should have to earn a spot on the team. It`s a shame when fan favorites who have been playing poorly get chosen over someone who has out performed them. Essentially I`m not a fan of the captain`s pick.

[AWinfortheAges]

Amy Olsen has been steadily improving. I expect to see her jump a number of spots.

 

Emma Talley will be in her second season, so she'll likely move up.

I was thinking the same thing about Amy Olsen.

[Raving Shanker]

I am more worried about the European team, and just hope it's a semi-interesting competition.

 

I'd prefer to see the International Crown go annual!

[Argonne69]

I am more worried about the European team, and just hope it's a semi-interesting competition.

 

I'd prefer to see the International Crown go annual!

 

I think match play tends to even things out a bit.

[18majors]

I am more worried about the European team, and just hope it's a semi-interesting competition.

 

I'd prefer to see the International Crown go annual!

 

I think match play tends to even things out a bit.

 

Yes, world No. 400 could beat world No. 1 in an 18 hole match play; but that isn't the original intention of Solheim Cup.

Women's golf needs a Jack Nicklaus, who changed Ryder cup from Great Britain & Ireland to Europe. Something should be done.

[Argonne69]

Given that the SC is already U.S. vs. Europe, what would be the next logical step? Add Australia and New Zealand? Add Asia?

 

I believe the International Crown is already on its way to surpassing the SC in quality of competition.

[18majors]

Argonne

 

You're right, from the rivalry standpoint; it doesn't make sense to add other continents.

International Crown is a team tournament; not intense rivalries; may be the annual Korean LPGA vs. KLPGA will be the rivalry event of the year for some of us.

[78Staff]

> @18majors said:

> Argonne69 wrote:

>

>

> Raving Shanker wrote:

>

>

>

> I am more worried about the European team, and just hope it's a semi-interesting competition.

>

>

>

> I'd prefer to see the International Crown go annual!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I think match play tends to even things out a bit.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Yes, world No. 400 could beat world No. 1 in an 18 hole match play; but that isn't the original intention of Solheim Cup.

>

> Women's golf needs a Jack Nicklaus, who changed Ryder cup from Great Britain & Ireland to Europe. Something should be done.

 

Anne Van Dam might light up the Euro Side this year... I'm not anointing any Jack label or anything, but she will likely be strong for the Euro side.

[18majors]

> @78Staff said:

> > @18majors said:

> > Argonne69 wrote:

> >

> >

> > Raving Shanker wrote:

> >

> >

> >

> > I am more worried about the European team, and just hope it's a semi-interesting competition.

> >

> >

> >

> > I'd prefer to see the International Crown go annual!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > I think match play tends to even things out a bit.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Yes, world No. 400 could beat world No. 1 in an 18 hole match play; but that isn't the original intention of Solheim Cup.

> >

> > Women's golf needs a Jack Nicklaus, who changed Ryder cup from Great Britain & Ireland to Europe. Something should be done.

>

> Anne Van Dam might light up the Euro Side this year... I'm not anointing any Jack label or anything, but she will likely be strong for the Euro side.

 

Hope Anne start to play better; she's been downright rotten in the US.

[4waymiss]

> @78Staff said:

> > @18majors said:

> > Argonne69 wrote:

> >

> >

> > Raving Shanker wrote:

> >

> >

> >

> > I am more worried about the European team, and just hope it's a semi-interesting competition.

> >

> >

> >

> > I'd prefer to see the International Crown go annual!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > I think match play tends to even things out a bit.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Yes, world No. 400 could beat world No. 1 in an 18 hole match play; but that isn't the original intention of Solheim Cup.

> >

> > Women's golf needs a Jack Nicklaus, who changed Ryder cup from Great Britain & Ireland to Europe. Something should be done.

>

> Anne Van Dam might light up the Euro Side this year... I'm not anointing any Jack label or anything, but she will likely be strong for the Euro side.

 

Please see my report on AVD from Kia last week. Solheim is all about making putts, something she doesn't do. But Europe may not have much options.

[NikeGolfer76]

I believe part of the problem is that unless you're outside of the States and have that golf.tv subscription, the LET simply doesn't receive much airplay. It's difficult for the SC to maintain an interesting rivalry when you hardly know any of the LET competitors (outside of the ones playing on the LPGA). Not to mention that there's been very little news of when/if Suzann Pettersen's plans to return this year.

 

[AWinfortheAges]

As of 4/30/2019

RANK NAME SOLHEIM CUP POINTS

1 Nelly Korda 398.00

2 Danielle Kang 374.00

3 Lexi Thompson 340.00

4 Jessica Korda 310.00

5 Lizette Salas 247.00

6 Megan Khang 213.50

7 Marina Alex 208.00

8 Cristie Kerr 205.00

------------------------------------------

9 Austin Ernst 187.00

10 Brittany Altomare 185.50

11 Brittany Lincicome 172.00

12 Amy Olson 164.50

13 Angela Stanford 161.00

14 Stacy Lewis 160.00

15 Angel Yin 157.00

16 Ally McDonald 142.50

17 Jennifer Song 138.00

18 Michelle Wie 128.00

19 Annie Park 127.50

20 Jacqui Concolino 122.00

21 Ryan O'Toole 110.00

22 Lindy Duncan 89.00

In via Rolex World Ranking: Austin Ernst(34) and Angela Stanford(35)

 

I still believe Stacy Lewis will play herself into the top 8. I hope Michelle Wie doesn't try to return to play too soon in an attempt to make the team.

 

 

[fredogolfer]

Paula Creamer has her spot reserved as a Captain's pick.

[Argonne69]

Stacy has been playing some decent golf lately. If she doesn't get in on points, I would expect her to be a Captain's Pick. The players currently on the points list above her aren't setting the World on fire at the moment.

 

Even if Michelle did rush back, it's doubtful she'd earn enough points. Juli would have to be crazy to pick her as a Captain's Pick, as she has a 50-50 chance of pulling out due to injury.

 

[18majors]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Stacy has been playing some decent golf lately. If she doesn't get in on points, I would expect her to be a Captain's Pick. The players currently on the points list above her aren't setting the World on fire at the moment.

>

> Even if Michelle did rush back, it's doubtful she'd earn enough points. Juli would have to be crazy to pick her as a Captain's Pick, as she has a 50-50 chance of pulling out due to injury.

>

 

I'm biased; but Captain's Picks should be for players who're good but don't have enough time to qualify.

Players like Kristen Gillman or Jennifer Kupcho.

[Argonne69]

I don't disagree. Kristen and Jennifer both have solid match play records. However, Juli seems to prefer players with a known history, and Stacy would certainly fall in that camp. In 2017 she took a pass on several young players when she went with Paula.

[North Texas]

> @18majors said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Stacy has been playing some decent golf lately. If she doesn't get in on points, I would expect her to be a Captain's Pick. The players currently on the points list above her aren't setting the World on fire at the moment.

> >

> > Even if Michelle did rush back, it's doubtful she'd earn enough points. Juli would have to be crazy to pick her as a Captain's Pick, as she has a 50-50 chance of pulling out due to injury.

> >

>

> I'm biased; but Captain's Picks should be for players who're good but don't have enough time to qualify.

> Players like Kristen Gillman or Jennifer Kupcho.

 

I think it makes a lot of sense to look at those players and how their points would have projected out over the full qualification period.

[18majors]

> @Argonne69 said:

> I don't disagree. Kristen and Jennifer both have solid match play records. However, Juli seems to prefer players with a known history, and Stacy would certainly fall in that camp. In 2017 she took a pass on several young players when she went with Paula.

 

Juli mentioned in one of the articles that she would prefer to have either 4 Captain's Picks or none at all.

Two picks is tough for Juli; she's indebted to her old friends, but she's smart enough to know there're better picks.

Fortunately or unfortunately, European Team is no longer as competitive as in Annika Sorenstam's days; and Juli could still win either she makes the right pick or not.

[Enduro59]

> @18majors said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > I don't disagree. Kristen and Jennifer both have solid match play records. However, Juli seems to prefer players with a known history, and Stacy would certainly fall in that camp. In 2017 she took a pass on several young players when she went with Paula.

>

> Juli mentioned in one of the articles that she would prefer to have either 4 Captain's Picks or none at all.

> Two picks is tough for Juli; she's indebted to her old friends, but she's smart enough to know there're better picks.

> Fortunately or unfortunately, European Team is no longer as competitive as in Annika Sorenstam's days; and Juli could still win either she makes the right pick or not.

 

Juli's 2 picks will almost certainly come from the same old crowd of her cronies. Stanford,Piller,Creamer,Lewis,Lang,Wie,and Lincicome. To me there is very little risk with any of these. I am very hesitant to give Juli too much credit for being"smart"as was mentioned above. 2017 was a mercy killing. This year could be worse. It's so lopsided in depth, talent, guts , putting for dough savvy and refuse to lose mentality that the sages on Golf Wrx Lpga forum(any of you) could Captain a team of 12 randomly selected USA ladies ranked in the top 400 world rankings and at the worst squeak out a victory. Promotion for the event at some point down the road will really have to get creative as casual fans will tire of the beat downs..Could the Europeans even scratch together a team of ladies that currently or never have lived in or attended college in the good old US of A?

[Argonne69]

Is it really that bad?

 

There is currently one European in the World's Top 10, two in the Top 20, three in the Top 30, six in the Top 50, and twelve in the Top 100.

 

The U.S. has one in the Top 10, four in the Top 20, six in the Top 30, fifteen in the Top 50, and twenty-four in the Top 100.

 

So, the U.S. has roughly double the talent level. Yeah, it's probably that bad.

 

By comparison, Korea has four in the Top 10, nine in the Top 20, thirteen in the Top 30, eighteen in the Top 50, and thirty-nine in the Top 100.

 

Perhaps the European team should be expanded to include the Commonwealth of Nations, which includes Canada, Australia, New Zealand. They'd pick up Brooke, Minjee, and Lydia, making it a little more of a fair fight.

 

 

 

 

 

[Stooch]

I secret;y hope Caroline Hedwall makes the team each year and somehow something like a bench clearing brawl in hockey will break out and I could see Caroline hurling girls 50 feet through the air from the scrum ............ you can't deny that would make the event more compelling lol.

[Argonne69]

> @Stooch said:

> I secret;y hope Caroline Hedwall makes the team each year and somehow something like a bench clearing brawl in hockey will break out and I could see Caroline hurling girls 50 feet through the air from the scrum ............ you can't deny that would make the event more compelling lol.

 

Lol. Yeah, but now the U.S. has Angel.

 

[tbowles411]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @Stooch said:

> > I secret;y hope Caroline Hedwall makes the team each year and somehow something like a bench clearing brawl in hockey will break out and I could see Caroline hurling girls 50 feet through the air from the scrum ............ you can't deny that would make the event more compelling lol.

>

> Lol. Yeah, but now the U.S. has Angel.

>

I think I would like to see a good old fashioned brawl on the course. LOL