The Solheim Cup officially tees off in less than a month at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, with Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist and her 12-player roster awaiting to see how their opponent takes shape over the final weeks in August.
This week's Standard Portland Classic is one of the last opportunities for U.S. players to work their way up the standings and into the captain's picks conversation.
American captain Angela Stanford will finalize her roster after the CPKC Women’s Open, set for Aug. 20-23.
The top seven players in the U.S. Solheim Cup points standings automatically qualify, along with the top two players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings not already on the team. The final three spots are Stanford's captain’s picks.
Let's take a look at Team USA candidates with the best chance to improve their status in the Pacific Northwest.
Andrea Lee
Starting on the 10th hole at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on Thursday, Lee tees off shortly before 11 a.m. ET. She's currently No. 8 in the standings, more than 200 points off Lauren Coughlin's automatic qualifying bid.
However, if the roster were to be finalized Wednesday, Lee would be going per her standing on the world rankings (No. 37).
Lindy Duncan
Duncan is in the same boat as Lee entering Portland — more than 300 behind Coughlin in Solheim Cup qualifying points but on the roster via Rolex rankings where she's No. 59.
That could change though with Alison Lee (No. 61) and Jenny Bae (No. 65) closing in. Lee is not in the field this week.
As for Duncan, she tees off with fellow American Lexi Thompson at 4:21 p.m. on ET. Thompson, who announced she’s pregnant this week, is a part-time player on tour and is making her first individual start since May. She will likely need a captain's pick if she is to make her eighth consecutive Solheim appearance.
2026 Standard Portland Classic: How to watch, tee times and scoring Stay up to date with all of the action at the Standard Portland Classic with information on how to watch, tee times and scoring.Lucy Li
Li is likely playing for Stanford's approval this week as an automatic qualifying bid seems unlikely. Li currently ranks 10th in Solheim points and No. 104 in the world rankings.
Megan Khang
Khang will go out with Megha Ganne, making her pro debut this week, on Thursday. Khang sits No. 76 in the world rankings so she does pose a threat to Duncan's AQ chances with two good showings down the stretch. Almost 500 points behind Coughlin in the Solheim standings, even back-to-back wins wouldn't earn her enough points that route.
Jenny Bae
The aforementioned Bae is playing this week, posing a direct threat to Lee and Duncan. She'll be playing with fellow Solheim Cup candidate Ryann O'Toole over the first two days.
Those two will be paired with LPGA rookie Lauren Walsh who pushed for a spot on the European roster before being left on Nordqvist's bubble.
Meet the 2026 European Solheim Cup team, including four captain’s picksEuropean Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist rounded out her 12-player squad with four captain’s picks on Monday, a day after eight players earned their spots upon the conclusion of the AIG Women’s Open.Ryann O'Toole
At No. 97 in the world, O'Toole is more than likely playing for a captain's pick but a lot can happen over four rounds.
It's been a bit of an up-and-down 2026 for the 39-year-old UCLA grad. She tied for seventh at the Chevron in April only to WD at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and miss the cut at the AIG Women's Open.
Rose Zhang
Behind Alison Lee and Bae, Zhang stands the next best threat to Duncan's projected final spot via the world rankings (No. 73).
She's coming in with seven consecutive made cuts but hasn't cracked the top 10 since the LPGA season opener in Lake Nona.
Brooke Matthews
Going off in the first groupings shortly after 7 a.m. local time, Matthews has an early chance to put a dent in her substantial deficit to make the roster.
The 27-year-old is still in search of her first T-10 this season and is coming off four straight missed cuts. Would seemingly be an odd choice for a captain's pick but she's inside the top 20 in points for the Americans and felt worth mentioning before the action gets going in Portland.
The Standard Portland Classic - Rd 1The first round of The Standard Portland Classic is underway at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Ore.
Leave a Comment