Meg Mallon and Julie Inkster, two prospective contenders for the Solheim Cup Captaincy in 2013
Battle for the next Solheim Cup is warming up already as the LPGA is all set to announce the Captain on Thursday, January 26 at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida.
Two of the grizzled veterans on LPGA, Meg Mallon and Julie Inkster are contending for the coveted post and both have a stellar career record to qualify for the Captaincy of the American team.
48-years-old Mallon is one of the renowned players on the LPGA who has won 18 titles in the course of her career.
She announced her retirement from LPGA summer 2010 and is now hoping to qualify for the Solheim Cup Captain at the zenith of her career.
An Ohio University graduate, Mallon turned professional in the year 1987 and has since been part of the field at LPGA Tour events all over the world.
She has won four major titles, including the LPGA Championship 1991, US Women’s Open in 1991 and 2004 and du Maurier Classic in 2000.
She has been part of the US Solheim Cup team eight times, including the years 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2005 and also has the honour of serving as Assistant Captain in 2009.
Regardless of Mallon’s status on LPGA as a grizzled veteran, Inkster’s career record can seldom be matched by any of the ladies golfers in the sport.
51-years-old Inkster has won 31 titles on LPGA, including seven major titles, The Kraft Nabisco Championship 1984 and 1989, LPGA Championship 1999 and 2000, US Women’s Open in 1999 and 2002, and du Maurier Classic in 1984.
Turning professional in the year 1983, Inkster went over to bag two major titles in the rookie year and has gone over to win Career Grand Slam in ladies Golf.
Inkster has a phenomenal Solheim Cup record and has been part of the 12-member team in 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009.
She has a total of 18 points and is the only one to score such colossal number on LPGA. Despite her relatively better career record, Inkster probably will not be able to lead the Solheim Cup team in 2013.
One of the major reasons being the fact that Inkster is still an active player on LPGA and if Mallon is not given a chance, she might have to wait another five years, which will become difficult for the aging Mallon to compete, let alone lead the team.
On the other hand, Inkster is also facing an elbow injury for the moment which could have its repercussions in the next season’s performance.
Inkster was inducted in World Golf Hall of Fame in the year 2000.
The Solheim Cup committee, which comprises of LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan, former American Solheim Cup captains and members of the Solheim family, has already decided to select Mallon and Inkster for the next two Solheim Cup Captaincy slots. They, however, still have to decide who will lead the charge in 2013.
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