U.S. Solheim Cup team down a player heading into opening session
The U.S. Solheim Cup team is a woman down.
Solheim rookie Alison Lee was originally set to play in Friday’s opening session of the biennial matches against Europe, but Lee has been battling food poisoning and wasn’t feeling up to the task. After all, her stomach would be churning enough on the first tee as it was.
Lee, however, expects to be a part of the afternoon session of best ball.
“I didn’t feel too good this morning, I threw up twice, but I went back to the hotel and took like a two-hour nap,” Lee said, according to Golf Channel. “It was a great nap. I really needed it. I haven’t been sleeping well the past couple of days. After I woke up, I felt brand new … I’m really disappointed that I can’t play tomorrow morning. I was really hoping to, but I will be fresh and ready for tomorrow afternoon.”
American captain Juli Inkster isn’t so sure of Lee’s self-diagnosis.
“I’m a little worried to send her out,” Inkster said. “We’ve just got to see how it evolves. She thinks she’s getting better, and as soon as she starts eating something, it doesn’t sit well with her. Right now, we’ve kept her out of the morning matches, see how she does tonight and see if she can keep some food down.
Meanwhile, Inkster gave captain’s pick Paula Creamer, who has struggled most of the season, a vote of confidence by putting her out in the opening match with Morgan Pressel. The blind draw puts them on the top line against Swede Anna Nordqvist and Norwegian Suzann Pettersen.
The draw drew murmurs from American supporters at the opening ceremony in Germany, but Inkster has no doubts about her choice.
“I have faith in [Creamer],” Inkster said. “I have all the confidence in the world in her. It was a no-brainer for me.”
Here’s the Friday morning foursomes schedule (all times Eastern):
2 a.m. — Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer (USA) vs. Anna Nordqvist and Suzann Pettersen (EUR)
2:15 a.m. — Michelle Wie and Brittany Lincicome (USA) vs. Charley Hull and Melissa Reid (EUR)
2:30 a.m. — Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson (USA) vs. Karine Icher and Azahara Munoz (EUR)
2:45 a.m. — Stacy Lewis and Lizette Salas (USA) vs. Sandra Gal and Catriona Matthew (EUR)
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
