Wie handed Solheim Cup call-up
American teenager Michelle Wie, who is still searching for a first title to justify the huge hype which surrounds her, was on Sunday handed a first Solheim Cup call-up.
The 19-year-old was handed a wild-card into the US team by captain Beth Daniel for the match against Europe at Rich Harvest Farms, Illinois, from August 21-23.
Wie signed contracts worth millions of dollars on turning professional at 16, but then suffered a wrist injury and a dramatic loss of form.
This season, however, she has had a runners-up finish and two third places and on Sunday, she finished 11th at the Women's British Open at Royal Lytham.
Juli Inkster, a seven-time major winner and Wie's senior by 30 years, was Daniel's second pick in the 12-member USA team.
"I'm so honoured and thrilled. Getting into the Solheim was one of my big goals at the start of the year," said Wie.
Europe captain Alison Nicholas had three wild cards to hand out and gave them to 22-year-old Swede Anna Nordqvist, who won her first major in June, Wales' Becky Brewerton and Scot Janice Moodie.
Also included is British Open winner Catriona Matthew.
The Americans lead the Solheim Cup series 7-3, have won the last two matches - and have yet to be beaten at home.
England's Laura Davies has played in all 11 European teams, while Helen Alfredsson makes a playing return to the side after captaining Europe to defeat at Halmstad in Sweden two years ago.
"I think we have strong team and a good balance of youth and experience," said Nicholas.
Both teams have three rookies, Wie, Brittany Lang and Kristy McPherson on the US side, and Nordqvist, Spain's Tania Elosegui and Diana Luna for Europe. Luna is the first player from Italy to make the team.
USA
Nicole Castrale, Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr, Christina Kim, Brittany Lang, Brittany Lincicome, Kristy McPherson, Morgan Pressel, Angela Stanford
Wild cards: Juli Inkster, Michelle Wie
Non-playing captain: Beth Daniel
Europe
Helen Alfredsson (SWE), Laura Davies (ENG), Tania Elosegui (ESP), Sophie Gustafson (SWE), Maria Hjorth (SWE), Diana Luna (ITA), Catriona Matthew (SCO), Gwladys Nocera (FRA), Suzann Pettersen (NOR)
Wild cards: Becky Brewerton (WAL), Janice Moodie (SCO), Anna Nordqvist (SWE)
Non-playing captain: Alison Nicholas
