Angela Stanford suggests what would be ‘crazy’ when asked whether Lexi Thompson could make the 2026 US Solheim Cup team

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While the LPGA Tour was dealt a blow with Lexi Thompson’s decision to retire from playing a full-time schedule following the end of 2024 season, it was a big boost for the game for Thompson to decide to continue with a limited schedule.

Lexi Thompson has been one of golf’s bigger stars for some time. Despite certainly having the game to win more than her one major title to date, Thompson has been so influential in the women’s game having essentially lived her entire adult life in the spotlight.

There have been numerous highs and lows along the way. But it says everything about Thompson’s presence in the game that the 30-year-old even just stepping up away from playing full-time on the LPGA felt like such a significant moment for the tour.

Interestingly, Thompson did finish tied for 13th on her first start of this year at the Founders Cup – proving that time away from the game may not be the worst thing for the 2014 Chevron Championship winner.

Angela Stanford suggests whether Lexi Thompson could be considered for the 2026 Solheim Cup

So it is not entirely surprising that new US Solheim Cup captain Angela Stanford was asked by No Laying Up whether Thompson’s limited schedule may rule out her of being in contention for 2026’s event in Netherlands.

“No, there’s no way I’m going to say [she’s out of contention]. If Lexi plays half a schedule and she earns enough points, why wouldn’t I have her on the team? If she plays half a schedule and she is up for maybe being a pick, there’s no way you could count her out or say no,” she said.

“If she’s going to show up and play, I know Lexi well enough to know that she’s going to tee it up and she’s trying to win. So, I want her to be happy. If she’s happier playing a smaller schedule, sometimes you’re more productive that way, so yeah, she’s in the mix. It would be crazy not to consider her.”

How Lexi Thompson has performed in the Solheim Cup

Thompson’s record in the Solheim Cup is an impressive one, with 13.5 points coming from 27 matches across seven events.

She managed to win three points in 2015, 2017 and 2023, with the USA going unbeaten across those three cups.

And it is her record in foursomes which is particularly formidable, with six wins in nine matches.

Of course, there is such a long way to go before Stanford starts to really nail down the team she will take across the pond to defend USA’s title. But Thompson is one of those players who could bring so much to the team regardless of the form she is in.

With that, it would not surprise many fans if the goodbye in Gainesville last year proved to actually be premature.