Juli Inkster named USA Solheim Cup Captain for third time

Juli Inkster has been announced as the USA Team Captain for the third successive time at the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. 

After leading Team USA to back-to-back Solheim Cup victories in 2015 and 2017, the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Juli Inkster will return as the first three-time USA captain for the biennial team match-play competition in 2019. The U.S. will head to Scotland leading Europe 10-5 all-time in Solheim Cup competition.

“This is an unbelievable honor and one I do not take lightly,” Inkster said. “I’m so stoked to be able to take the U.S. Team to Scotland, the home of golf, to compete in the 2019 Solheim Cup. We can’t wait to get started.”

Inkster, 57, and the U.S. squad will look to successfully defend their title on European soil, pitted against hometown legend and first-time Team Europe captain Catriona Matthew, who congratulated Inkster on the appointment.

“Congratulations to Juli on this announcement. She’s done an amazing job in the last two Solheim Cups, and throughout her Solheim career, and will certainly be a formidable opponent at Gleneagles,” Matthew said.

“Juli is someone who I have admired very much over the years in all that she has achieved both on and off the golf course, and I am delighted she will be my opposite number for the 2019 match. I’ve definitely picked up some valuable insights into Juli’s captaincy style over the last two matches, so I am excited we are both now in place and are ready to get down to business.”

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan added: “Juli being the US Solheim Cup captain for a third time is certainly historic, but almost everything about Juli’s career is historic.

“She has set the standard on the LPGA Tour in so many ways, and now she’ll do the same for the US Solheim Cup Team. Under Juli’s unique style of leadership, the US Team is relaxed, cohesive and incredibly successful.

“Maintaining this highly successful formula, and continuing Team USA’s momentum, was the first priority among the US Solheim Cup Committee.”

The last time the Solheim Cup was held in Europe, in 2015 in St. Leon-Rot, Germany, Inkster led the U.S. Team to the largest comeback win in Solheim Cup history, overturning a four point defecit entering Sunday’s singles matches before staging a comeback for the ages, winning 8.5 points en route to a 14.5-13.5 victory. 

Inkster’s name does not just hold Solheim Cup weight as a Captain, being a successful player in nine Solheim Cups from 1992-2011 (part of 5 winning sides), as well as holding the all time leader in points earned record in singles competitions (seven). Her nine appearances are tied with Matthew and fellow American Cristie Kerr and are second only to Laura Davies (12), while she ranks seventh on the all-time points list (18.5) and in most matches won (15).

“I’m thrilled to hear that Juli will be returning for a historic third time as captain of the United States Solheim Cup team in 2019,” said John Solheim, PING Chairman and CEO.

“Her experience as a two-time winning captain, along with her love and respect for the game, will be invaluable to the top-12 American players as they seek to make history in Scotland. As a nine-time participant in the event, Juli’s passion for the Solheim Cup has helped it to grow into the premier women’s team event in the world.”