It’s officially a month out from “a headache waiting to happen” for United States Captain Juli Inkster.
Part of the power of the captaincy is the right to choose the final two members of the squad, and those selections have been slated to be announced August 24 on Monday night on Golf Channel.
Among a gig she’s honored to hold, it’s the responsibility that Inkster hates the most. She knows the importance of her future headache, as she described it Friday, but the two names that come out of her mouth that Monday evening mean a dream realized for two but crushed for others. Everyone in contention though is hoping that for them it never comes to that. They don’t want to rely on Inkster but instead their play.
“I know I need to make a little push,” Austin Ernst said, who is currently 13th in the points standings. “I want to get myself in contention and win tournaments. I know if I get myself in contention these next four weeks, then I’ll be playing well and hopefully I’ll have acquired enough points or Rolex Rankings to not even need the pick.”
As it stands now, outside of the top eight in the Solheim Cup points standings, the two spots given to the highest ranked players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings among players that aren’t already in would go to Paula Creamer and Jessica Korda. But Lizette Salas is just one spot back of Korda in the Rolex Rankings and four Americans – Salas, Brittany Lang, Mo Martin, and Alison Lee – are within 15 spots of both Creamer and Korda in the rankings.
At this late in the game, it’s impossible to ignore the noise. Throughout the year they’ve had Solheim Cup team bonding exercises and practice rounds, all performed under the unstated
“It’s hard, because you play with people,” Ernst said. “It’s hard to avoid it, but I just try to focus on what I’m doing while I’m hitting shots and playing. Then I try not to let my mind wander too much that way. It’s hard not to. It’s crunch time to make the team, so it’s definitely hard not to think about it all the time.”
In other words, easier said than done. Even Lang, who has been on the last three Solheim Cup teams, admits she’s probably placing more emphasis on it than she should be, but having experienced it before, she knows what she’d be missing if she misses the team.
“Probably a little more than I should be. I probably should be focusing on my golf,” Lang said. “But the Solheim Cup is very important. It’s the most fun you’ll have ever. I just know if I focus on what I’m doing out there it’ll take care of itself.”
Over the last two months, all the contenders have been playing well, but no one has made a major move. Salas has posted five made cuts in a row with three consecutive top-20s. Martin’s posted six made cuts in a row. Ernst has two top-15s in her last three starts. Lang has two top-five finishes in her last five starts and is the only player in contention with a top-five in one of her last five starts. But she’s been feast or famine over the last couple of months with three missed cuts in her last seven starts. And lastly, there’s Lee, the rookie and Qualifying School co-medalist with seven consecutive made cuts that put herself into contention for the team with a solo fourth at the Kia Classic and solo third at the Kingsmill Championship.
That’s not new information for any of the players though. After they see where they stand on the scoreboard at the conclusion of play, many begin checking where their competitors – but potential soon-to-be teammates – are as well.
“Every day!” Lee said of how much she looks. “She’s 1, she’s 2, she’s 3. So, of course, I’m well aware of who my competitors are. And they’re all great golfers, so it’ll be a fun, fun race.”
A race with only four tournaments to go, but one that’s sure to create a headache for Inkster at the finish line in a month.
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