At the start of the 2024 season, Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis thought her team in September might look an awful lot like the one she took to Spain last year.
Alison Lee, who finished the 2023 season white hot, was certainly on her radar. But it sounded like she might be the only one.
Fast forward to March, and the door has opened for a number of players.
“One, I think we’ve got a long ways to go,” said Lewis at Chevron Championship media day. “But I do think there’s going to be more shuffling than I thought. All the captains had a meeting a couple days ago, and we all kind of said that.”
Georgia’s Bailey Tardy won her first LPGA title on Sunday in China while Sarah Schmelzel notched her second consecutive top 10. Alexa Pano, who won her first LPGA title last year in Northern Ireland, started off with a runner-up finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions but has struggled since, withdrawing from the HSBC in Singapore.
Following the Blue Bay LPGA, Tardy jumped from 21st to 14th in the U.S. Solheim Cup standings while Schmelzel moved to 11th, just one point behind Alison Lee.
In the Rolex Rankings, Schemzel moved up 22 spots to No. 73 while Tardy moved up 85 spots to 84th.
The U.S. team will be finalized on Aug. 24 following the AIG Women’s British Open at St. Andrews.
The top seven players in the U.S. Solheim points list receive automatic bids along with the top two players in the Rolex Rankings not already eligible. Lewis will then have three captain’s picks.
“Sarah and Bailey, while they played great, they still have work to do,” said Lewis. “It’s very early in this process. We have major championships still to be played.”
One thing is certain: Lewis will be reaching out.
Here’s how things stand for the top 15 Americans following the tour’s Asian swing:
Alexa Pano of the United States plays her shot from the 16th tee during the final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 21, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
411 points
Bailey Tardy tees off on the ninth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)
415 points
Lauren Coughlin plays her shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
425 points
Jennifer Kupcho of USA looks on during the pro-am prior to the start of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 26, 2023 in Evian-les-Bains, . (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
438.50 points
Sarah Schmelzel of the United States interacts with her caddie on the ninth hole during Day One of the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club on February 29, 2024 in Singapore. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
568 points
Alison Lee of the United States plays her shot from the ninth tee during the third round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican at Pelican Golf Club on November 11, 2023 in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
569 points
Rose Zhang of team USA plays a shot during practice prior to the The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 19, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
582.50 points
Solheim Cup team US golfer Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee reacts during 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Casares on September 22, 2023. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP) (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)
615.50 points
Cheyenne Knight of Team USA watches her team during Day Two of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 23, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
699.50 points
Ally Ewing of Team USA looks down the eighth fairway during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares, Spain. (Photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
752 points
Angel Yin of Team USA hits from the eighth tee during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
784 points
Megan Khang of Team USA celebrates after winning on the first hole during Day Three of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 24, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
967 points
Allisen Corpuz of Team USA reacts on the 14th green during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
1,100 points
Nelly Korda reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the LPGA Drive On Championship at Bradenton Country Club on January 28, 2024 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
1,168.50 points
US team’s golfer Lilia Vu looks on on the third day of the 2023 Solheim Cup biennial team golf competition at Finca Cortesin golf club in Casares, on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)
1,424 points
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