With the end of the 2012 season, and just 8 months until The Solheim Cup at Colorado Golf Club, European players will undoubtedly have The Solheim Cup on their mind as they plan their 2013 schedules over the festive break.

2nd hole at Colorado Golf Club

Any player wishing to play for Europe, whether by automatic selection or captain’s pick, must play in a minimum of 6 LET events, after which The 2013 European Solheim Cup Team will consist of 12 members of the Ladies European Tour, selected as follows:

(a) the top 4 players on the LET Solheim Cup points ranking

(b) the top 4 LET members appearing on the Rolex Women’s World Rankings

(c) a further 4 LET members selected by the European Solheim Cup Team Captain.

The final event in the qualification process will be the Ricoh Women’s British Open in St. Andrews August 1^st - 4^th, just 10 days before the start of the match in Colorado. As a major it will have 80 points for the winner. Given that the current point’s leader, Masson, stands on 79.50 points, it easy to see how much change can take place in 2013 should some under-the-radar players produce a strong season. With huge points on offer at this final event, there will be everything to fight for up until the very end.

Leading the way from the way from the top of is Caroline Masson of Germany, her points boosted by her debut victory on tour at the South African Women’s Open in July. After an astonishing rookie season, Carlota Ciganda has placed herself in 2^nd position in the rankings. The first player ever to win Rolex Rookie of the Year, Player’s player of the year and also top the ISPS Handa Money list, odds are certainly in her favour to make the European team, perhaps joining fellow Spaniard Azahara Munoz, who made her Solheim debut in Killeen Castle last year, along with Pettersen, Matthew and Nordqvist who currently occupy the Rolex ranking automatic places.

The top four players from the LET rankings

1. Caroline Masson
2. Carlota Ciganda
3. Pernilla Lindberg
4. Giulia Sergas

The top four players from the Rolex rankings

1. Suzann Pettersen
2. Catriona Matthew
3. Azahara Munoz
4. Anna Nordqvist

There is plenty of time and points still available for those who may have hoped for a more successful 2012. It has been a quiet year points-wise for Sophie Gustafson, Maria Hjorth and Karen Stupples but there is no doubt that captain Neumann would be eager to see them climb the rankings in 2013.

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year!

For more information, contact: 

Travel www.esolheimcupt.com

About The Solheim Cup www.solheimcup.com

The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country. This biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition features the best U.S.-born players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the best European members from the Ladies European Tour (LET).

The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten Solheim, the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim family, in conjunction with the LPGA and the LET, developed the concept and became the title sponsor for The Solheim Cup, professional golf’s international match-play competition for women. Held every two years, the event has grown into the most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event. The Solheim Cup is the most highly coveted trophy in women’s profes­sional golf team competition; some of the most memorable moments in the sport have happened during one of The Solheim Cups, and berths on the U.S. and European teams are highly sought after by players from both organizations.

The 2013 Solheim Cup will take place Aug. 13-18 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colo. The European Team enters the competition holding the Cup and will need 14 points to retain it, with the U.S. Team needing 14½ points to regain the coveted Waterford Crystal prize. The U.S. team holds an 8-4 lead in the matches, which began in 1990.

In addition to founding sponsor PING, Rolex is also a Global Partner of The Solheim Cup. For more information about The Solheim Cup and updated standings for each team, log on to www.solheimcupeurope.com, www.ladieseuropeantour.com