US team captain Stacy Lewis remembers the 9/11 attack, honors first responders at the Solheim Cup

US team captain Stacy Lewis remembered the September 11 attacks and honored the victims and first responders ahead of the Solheim Cup. The 19th edition of the tournament is scheduled from Friday, September 13, to Sunday, September 15, at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.

On the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the US team members observed a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. on Wednesday to honor the exact moment the first plane hit the North Tower. Further, the players also participated in a virtual meeting with American children at a military base located in Germany. The players answered questions related to golf.

In a press conference at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Stacy Lewis said (via Golfweek):

"Everything I’ve done this week has been because of 9/11 this week. We get to do this because of the first responders, because of the military, and I wanted these players to know that, and I wanted them to be able to thank those people that protect us."

Special provisions have been made for the first responders of the biennial event. They can enjoy free ground tickets during practice days and will receive a 50% discount on two days of the competition.

US team member Andrea Lee said about honoring 26/11 responders:

"It’s super emotional, I think, for me and for everyone on the team to be able to represent the U.S. this week and honor them. It’s definitely a special week, and we’re definitely thinking about them today."

This is Andrea Lee's second Ryder Cup. She also participated in the 2023 Ryder Cup where she scored 1-2-1.

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US team members met ex-President Barack Obama ahead of the Solheim Cup

Ahead of the Solheim Cup, US team members visited the Pentagon on Monday. Captain Stacy Lewis organized the trip for the team, where several high-ranking generals talked to the team about representing the country.

Former US President Barack Obama met the team for dinner. In an interview with NBC's Golf Today, Lewis said that they were surprised as not many people were aware that he'd be coming to the event. When asked what was Obama's message to the team, she said (via Golf Today):

"We talked a little bit about the golf course because he plays here all the time. So he talked to us a little bit about the golf course and just, again, kind of what it means to represent your country."

"And what's funny, though, as soon as he walked in, he picked out Allisen Corpuz, you know, that Hawaii connection. And so, he had done his homework," she added.

Lewis further hoped that the former President would be gracing the team once again later this week. The 12 players who will be representing USA in the 2024 Solheim Cup are:

Nelly Korda

• Age: 26
• World Ranking: 1
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 14
• Solheim Cup appearances: 3 (2019, 2021, 2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 7-4-1

Lilia Vu

• Age: 26
• World Ranking: 2
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 5
• Solheim Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 1-3-0

Lauren Coughlin

• Age: 31
• World Ranking: 15
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 2
• Solheim Cup appearances: None

Ally Ewing

• Age: 31
• World Ranking: 18
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 3
• Solheim Cup appearances: 3 (2019, 2021, 2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 3-8-1

Allisen Corpuz

• Age: 26
• World Ranking: 28
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 1
• Solheim Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 2-1-1

Megan Khang

• Age: 26
• World Ranking: 21
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 1
• Solheim Cup appearances: 3 (2019, 2021, 2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 4-3-3

Andrea Lee

• Age: 26
• World Ranking: 45
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 1
• Solheim Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 1-2-1

Rose Zhang

• Age: 21
• World Ranking: 9
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 2
• Solheim Cup appearances: 1 (2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 0-2-1

Alison Lee

• Age: 29
• World Ranking: 27
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 0
• Solheim Cup appearances: 1 (2015)
• Solheim Cup record: 1-3-0

Jennifer Kupcho

• Age: 27
• World Ranking: 49
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 3
• Solheim Cup appearances: 2 (2021, 2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 2-3-2

Sarah Schmelzel

• Age: 30
• World Ranking: 59
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 0
• Solheim Cup appearances: None

Lexi Thompson

• Age: 29
• World Ranking: 41
• LPGA TOUR Wins: 11
• Solheim Cup appearances: 6 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
• Solheim Cup record: 9-7-7