Lexi Thompson said it “means absolutely nothing” to be selected as one of three wildcards for the U.S. Solheim Cup team that will play Europe next month.
The 29-year-old will retire from full-time playing at the end of the year, making this her seventh and final appearance in the biennial tournament.
U.S. captain Stacey Lewis said the decision to select Thompson was “probably the easiest out of the three.”
“She's someone who will be a great help to our team both on and off the golf course,” Lewis added.
“Her experience will encourage everyone on the team to watch what she does and try to learn from her.”
Thompson has 12½ points in 23 games, including three of four in Europe's title defence in a 14-14 tie in Spain last year.
“It's the greatest honour to represent my country,” said Thompson, who turned professional at 15 and won his only major tournament four years later.
“To be able to participate again this year, especially stateside, is like a dream come true.”
Lewis has also selected Jennifer Kupcho and Sarah Schmelzel to compete in the three-day match play tournament to be held Sept. 13-15 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
They join a 12-strong team that includes automatic qualifiers Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, Lauren Coughlin, Allie Ewing, Alisen Copes, Megan Kang, Andrea Li, Rose Chan and Allison Lee.
Europe selected its national team on Monday, with captain Suzann Pettersen selecting the experienced trio of Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist and Emily Pedersen, plus Swiss rookie Albane Valenzuela as a wild card.
Great Britain's Charlie Hull and Germany's Esther Henseleitn qualified by topping the Women's European Tour (LET) Solheim Cup points list, while Ireland's Leona Maguire, France's Celine Boutier, Spain's Carlota Ciganda, Sweden's Maja Stark, Lynn Grant and Madeleine Sagstrom all qualified through their world rankings.
Europe will be heading into the tournament for the 19th time, looking to defend the trophy they have held since winning at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2019. Last year's drawn match was preceded by a second away win in 2021 in Toledo, Ohio.
