Women's Golf . August 27, 2024

Schmelzel Named to U.S. Team for Upcoming Solheim Cup

Sergei Belski - USA TODAY Sports

Former All-American was one of three captian's choices by Stacy Lewis after career year on LPGA

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Former All-American Sarah Schmelzel was named a captain’s pick for the U.S. Team for the upcoming Solheim Cup, captain Stacy Lewis announced on Tuesday. This year’s event will take place Sept. 10-15 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va.

Lexi Thompson and Jennifer Kupcho were also choosen as captain’s picks by Lewis.

The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country and continent. This biennial, transatlantic team match-play competition features the 12 best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the 12 best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Held every two years, the event has grown into the most highly coveted trophy in women’s professional golf team competition. The Solheim Cup is named in honour of Karsten and Louise Solheim, the founders of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment.

The first Solheim Cup was staged in 1990, with the latest 2021 Solheim Cup having taken place on September 4-6, at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Schmelzel becomes the third former Gamecock to play in the prestigious event. Gamecock Hall of Famer McPherson played for the winning U.S. side in 2009 and Nanna Koertstz Madsen played for the winning European side in 2021.

Schmelzel is having a career year on the LPGA, ranking 24^th in the latest Race to the CME Globe points list. She’s played in 20 events with six top-finishes. The Phoenix, Ariz., native is ranked No. 61 in the world and had her best finish in a major back in June as she T-9^th at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Schmelzel earned Golfweek All-America Honorable Mention accolades in her final season at South Carolina in 2016. Her 74.25 career stroke average from 2012-16 ranks 10th in program history. Schmelzel earned medalist honors at the 2016 Bryan National Collegiate and ended her collegiate career with eight top-10 finishes and 19 top-20 showings in 40 career starts. She played in four NCAA Championships during her career and was on back-to-back NCAA Regional Champion squads in 2015 and 2016.

2024 U.S. Solheim Cup Roster

Nelly Korda

Lilia Vu

Lauren Coughlin

Ally Ewing

Allisen Corpuz

Megan Khang

Andrea Lee

Rose Zhang

Alison Lee

Jennifer Kupcho

Sarah Schmelzel