One of the big questions leaving the 2025 Dow Championship was whether Lexi Thompson now could find herself on the 2026 Solheim Cup team. Thompson did announce her retirement from full-time professional golf in 2024, and much of the discussion last year at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club surrounded the likelihood that it would be her last time playing in the event.
But the last month of play, specifically this past week at the Dow Championship, has shed some doubt on that belief.
Thompson has been in fantastic form in June, just as she was in 2024. The month essentially propelled her to the team as a captain’s selection last season, though it is unlikely Stacy Lewis would have left her off the team in any context.
In June 2024, Thompson played three times and finished in the top 10 in each of those starts. This June was arguably even better. At the Meijer LPGA Classic she once again was in heavy contention on the back nine Sunday, and finished up in fourth place. She worked her way into the penultimate grouping at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and finished 12th, then her and Megan Khang went to a playoff at the Dow Championship.
That last bit of information is key to looking at Thompson’s Solheim Cup potential.
Thompson had a strong Solheim Cup in 2023, going 3-1-0. The key pairing there was her foursomes partnership with Megan Khang, with whom she went 2-0. Everyone plays well next to Khang in the Solheim Cup, she is 6-0-1 across her last two playings, but Thompson takes it to the next level alongside her.
This week, they looked great, showing off some great fourball skills in as well. They shot 60 on the final day, storming from well behind to get into a playoff. While they did eventually lose, it should’ve certainly caught the attention of captain Angela Stanford.
2023 and 2024 captain Stacy Lewis said this of Thompson last year at the Solheim Cup: “Lexi needs to be there in the team room. She needs to be around these girls. She’s just great energy to have around.”
Stanford has already filled two assistant captain slots with Kristy McPherson and Paula Creamer. That leaves maybe two spots left for a crowded field of candidates. Thompson as a team member may be the best way to get her back in that team room.
There are going to be a few spots opening up, with Ally Ewing’s retirement and the uncertainty of Alison Lee’s return from maternity leave. That being said, players like Yealimi Noh, Angel Yin and Auston Kim are absolutely making their presence felt and feel like good bets to be in contention for a spot.
Thompson has played eight events this year, but its unknown what type of schedule she will play the rest of the year or in 2026. If her and Khang play this well in the Dow Championship again next year though, one has to imagine she will be in contention for a spot.
