With one round left to go at St. Andrews, here's a look at those on the bubble for 2024 Solheim Cup
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Alexa Pano turned 20 earlier this week in St. Andrews. While out shopping in a bookstore on her birthday, she picked up a couple works of fiction while her dad bought her a Bob Rotella book on confidence. Pano thought that was really funny and said she might read it on the flight home, depending on how things go Sunday at the AIG Women's British Open, where she's currently in a share of sixth, four strokes back of leader Jiyai Shin.
The young American admits to thinking too much about the Solheim Cup after finishing runner-up in the tour's season-opening event.
"I maybe tried to push myself really hard for that, and now I'm pushing myself for myself," said Pano, who would require a pick from captain Stacy Lewis to make her first U.S. Solheim Cup team.
Team USA will be announced on Tuesday of next week at the new FM Championship at TPC Boston. Pano, who wears the Patriots logo, is a lifelong fan of the team. After all, her dad has been a season ticket holder for more than 40 years.
"When I was on Epson Tour, I had a carry bag all year and I got a staff bag when I qualified for the U.S. Open. I don't have a college team to put on it," said Pano.
"We put the Patriots logo on it because it was special to my family and whatnot and that was supposed to be a one week ordeal. I did an interview with the Patriots about it that week and didn't think anything of it, but thought it was amazing."
The next week, when she was back competing on the Epson Tour, Pano found out that the Patriots wanted to make it more official. Wearing the team logo has been a dream for the former phenom.
While Pano looks to impress Lewis, Albane Valenzuela is doing her best to get the attention of Suzann Pettersen. The Swiss player, who currently sits tied for 10th, needs a pick to make her first European Solheim Cup team. She's just behind the veteran Anna Nordqvist (66th) at No. 68 in the world. Nordqvist, a vice captain, also needs one of Pettersen's four picks to make the team.
"Solheim is a big one, but I'm just outside on the bubble," said Valenzuela. "So I'll just try to play good golf and I just told myself – good golf will take care of itself. That's all I can do."
Team USA takes the top seven players off the points list followed by the next two players in the Rolex Rankings not otherwise qualified. Lewis gets three captain's picks. Europe takes two players off the LET points list, six players off the Rolex Rankings and four captain's picks.
Here's how things stand for those currently on the bubble:
Alexa Pano, U.S., T-6
Rolex Ranking: 109th
Points: 17th
Needs a career day on Sunday to give herself a chance at a pick.
Albane Valenzuela, Switzerland, T-10
Rolex Ranking: 68th
Needs a dazzling finish to work her way onto Pettersen's band of 12.
Alison Lee, U.S., T-19
Rolex Ranking: 25th
Points: 9th
Currently holds the second spot for the U.S. from the Rolex Rankings, which she's likely to keep.
Andrea Lee, U.S., T-27
Rolex Ranking: 44th
Points: 7th
Currently holds the last spot on the points list for Team USA and looks poised to keep it.
Angel Yin, U.S., T-27
Rolex Ranking: 34th
Points: 12th
It's unlikely that Yin could finish high enough to unseat Alison Lee (No. 25) from the second spot from the Rolex Rankings for Team USA. Will likely need a pick.
Lexi Thompson, U.S., T-34
Rolex Ranking: 43rd
Points: 14th
Needs a pick and seems a lock.
Linnea Strom, Sweden, T-34
Rolex Rankings: 107th
Only European player to win on tour this season. Had yet to hear from Pettersen this year coming into the week.
Georgia Hall, England, T-43
Rolex Ranking: 40th
As it stands now, Hall requires a pick, which is highly likely.
Alexandra Forsterling, Germany, T-43
Rolex Ranking: 74th
Two-time winner on the LET this season needs a pick to make her first Solheim Cup team.
Sarah Schmelzel, U.S., T-43
Rolex Ranking: 64th
Points: 10th
Needs a pick to make Lewis' team and, with six top-10 finishes this season, has a strong chance to make her first team.
Missed the cut
A number of players needing a pick missed the cut this week, including Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Emily Pedersen (Denmark), Jennifer Kupcho (U.S.), Bronte Law (England), Gemma Dryburgh (Scotland) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (England).
Madelene Sagstrom (Sweden) currently holds the final spot of the Rolex Rankings at No. 35 for Team Europe. Should she get passed by Hall, she'd require a pick. Sagstrom missed the cut at the Old Course.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: With one round left to go at St. Andrews, here's a look at those on the bubble for 2024 Solheim Cup
