DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, Aug. 26, 2011 - As the race for the 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup Team begins this week at the CN Canadian Women's Open, the U.S. Solheim Cup Committee announced a moderate change in the qualification criteria for the 2013 matches. For the first time, the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings will be used in conjunction with the traditional points system and captain's picks to determine the 12-player U.S. squad. Beginning with the 2013 matches, the U.S. Team will be comprised of the top eight (8) players from the Solheim Cup Points List, with the next two (2) players qualifying via the Rolex Rankings. The U.S. Captain will still have two (2) choices to fill out the 12-player team. The accumulation of points toward spots on the 2013 U.S. Team begins this week at the CN Canadian Women's Open.

"The decision to utilize the Rolex Rankings just makes sense, as it certainly reflects the way players have performed over a two-year period, with greater emphasis placed on the most recent results," said Rosie Jones, 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain.

"The Rolex Rankings have become an accurate depiction of who should be on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team," said Beth Daniel, 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain. "They are definitely something I looked at when determining my captain's picks."

The Ladies European Tour (LET) began using the Rolex Rankings as part of the European Solheim Cup Team qualification criteria at the 2007 Solheim Cup.

Qualifying points for the U.S. Team are awarded weekly to the top-20 finishers and ties at official LPGA tournaments. Points are doubled at the four major championships every year. Points during a Solheim Cup year are worth 1 ½ times what they are worth during non-Solheim Cup years.

Topics: Press Release, Rolex Rankings