Q&A: Judy Rankin returns to the booth for 2024 Solheim Cup, talks European dominance and Lexi Thompson's legacy

GAINESVILLE, Va. – The legendary Judy Rankin is back in the booth at this week's Solheim Cup. The 79-year-old Rankin, who twice led Team USA to victory in the Solheim Cup, will serve as an analyst alongside Karen Stupples and Terry Gannon for NBC's coverage. Morgan Pressel, who replaced Rankin in the booth after her retirement, is once again working as an assistant captain for Team USA.

NBC Sports will deliver more than 30 hours of live event and studio coverage across NBC, Golf Channel and Peacock.

Earlier this year, Rankin became the first woman honored with the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism. The World Golf Hall of Fame member began her broadcasting career with ABC in 1984 and became Golf Channel’s lead LPGA analyst in 2010. As a tour player, she won 26 times on the LPGA and was a two-time Player of the Year. She also won the Vare Trophy for low scoring average on three different occasions.

Solheim Cup: Scoreboard, rosters | How to watch | Photos

Golfweek caught up with Rankin ahead of the 19th playing of the Solheim at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club just outside Washington, D.C. Team USA hasn't won a Solheim Cup since 2017. Here are excerpts from that conversation:

From a big picture perspective, obviously the Europeans have been dominating of late. What do you attribute Europe’s strong play to?

Well, clearly more parity. I think a couple people in the mix, regardless of their statistics and all, I think they’re really good energy for the Europeans, and one of those is Leona Maguire. She to me is kind of new energy for the European team. Charley (Hull) has always been an energizer for that team. I know she's – sometimes she’s up and down whether she's a contender or not. They needed somebody to light their fire a little bit. I suppose, even a player like (Madelene) Sagstrom, has done that.

How important is it for Team USA to win this time around?

I think it’s pretty important. I think they know it. I think they knew it in Spain. I think we’ve reached a time in Solheim Cup play, maybe just in a lot of golf, where there’s more parity. You can no longer rest on your laurels because you were always so good. … I also think, and I don’t know that I can say what it was, but in recent times, Catriona Matthew brought something to the team as a captain that I’m not sure she always brought as a player that’s pretty special. She makes them believers, and I just watched her do that at the Curtis Cup matches. So I give her all the credit. She has a rather quiet, soft way about herself, but she sure gets her message across.

This is, from what we know, potentially Lexi Thompson’s final Solheim Cup. What do you think her legacy is in this event in particular?

She’s as patriotic as anybody that’s ever played. She loves that aspect of playing golf for her country and all those things, and I think it's very sincere. I think a few years ago, she was a little more of an intimidating factor than she is today. But I will never forget the match in Des Moines, between she and Anna Nordqvist. She started out and played like she shouldn’t even be on the tour, and I mean when she turned it around, I have never seen such fabulous golf, what, for about 12 holes. They both played fabulous golf, and it was one of the all-time great matches.

(Lexi continued)

I have decided over time, and I’ve been reading a lot about Lexi lately, that she’s a very complex person. I think as much as she has loved it, there have been many, many a thing that have been really hard on her. Being in the public eye, playing golf, and people expect a lot, and then you make a mistake and then some people never forget your mistake. I think as a result she tried to, this is just me talking, I think she’s always tried to kind of avoid those mistakes, tried to avoid talking about those mistakes.

And, as we know, she’s even been a little off-put by being asked questions about a mistake. I think, that was the wrong tact. I think, just face up to it.

You have to realize he’s made a fortune in dollars and everything has gone right for him, but you do have to admire Scottie Scheffler and his answer about his shank. But, of course, when you’ve got all the money in your pocket it’s a little easier to smile. I understand that. But I just think there’s not a whole lot of reason to laugh at yourself in this game. And I think had she laughed at herself when she made some of these mistakes a few times, it would’ve been easier on her.

I’m not talking about a missed putt that cost her a championship. But I’m talking about like the screwy thing that happened in Spain that she didn't want to address. I just those things would’ve freed her up a little bit. That’s how I see her now, I see her very freed up. Because she knows that she does not have to do this tomorrow if she doesn’t want to. Lord knows with what she’s worked and given, she’s very deserving of that. But I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her playing.

Should Suzann Pettersen succeed in victory and the cup goes to them again and the question is asked, as it will be, what’s wrong with the American players, what would your answer be?

I may have to think about that til Monday morning. See if it comes to be. I think the Europeans, certainly they did in Spain, they rose to the occasion. There are some times when people on teams almost do better when it’s not a home game. Sometimes, you know, because there’s so little distraction. Everything in the world plays into this, and it comes down to who plays the best golf.

GWK: Who makes the most putts ….

I like to say that usually, a 4-iron or a driver, they don’t hit the shot that breaks your heart. But the putter rolls a ball in every now and then that really is a heartbreaker.

How much is putting, in these moments on this stage, skill versus heart?

Well, the skill part is supposed to be ingrained in you at this point, so I would say it's mostly heart. It's mostly, do you have your wits about you, where you really can see a line and give a putt the best chance? Some people, you know Tiger was the greatest but there are several others, they always made the putt that mattered.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Q&A: Judy Rankin returns to the booth for 2024 Solheim Cup, talks European dominance and Lexi Thompson's legacy