Don’t blame the captain, play better.

That’s Jessica Korda’s general sentiment when it comes to whether or not she or anyone else ends up needing a pick from Captain Juli Inkster for one of the last two spots on the United States Solheim Cup team.

Korda’s currently firmly on the bubble with only this week’s Canadian Open remaining to make a stand, and although she understands why Inkster’s dreading the decision, she won’t blame her friend – and potential captain – either way for her decision.

“You can never be upset with who she picks because it’s her decision, and it’s your own fault you didn’t play your way onto the team,” Korda said. “There are ten spots to be had, and if you can’t play on to those ten spots then you’re not going to play. That’s your own fault. You had the opportunity and two years to qualify. Sometimes that’s the way it happens. I started the season fifth in the rankings and now I’m outside of everything.”

That’s why more than anything Korda’s not worried about whether she makes the Solheim Cup team or not. She obviously wants to be on the team more than anything and claims her proudest athletic achievement as being on that team in 2013, but since making the cut in her first seven starts of 2015, which included five top-20s, Korda’s since missed the cut in seven of the last 10 events and doesn’t have delusions of grandeur in regards to Inkster calling her name Monday night during Golf Channel’s announcement special if she doesn’t play better this week.

“I haven’t played very well this season apart from like the first couple of events, so I think right now I’m just having a little bit bigger thoughts in my head, and Solheim has kind of been put to the back a little bit,” Korda said. “Just trying to get my golf game back to where it’s supposed to be.”

Same goes for Paula Creamer. She’s now just outside the 10 automatic spots after missing the cut in her last two starts which allowed Alison Lee to pass her in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings for the last spots. It’s a completely unfamiliar position to be in for the five-time Solheim Cup veteran, but she’s trying to focus only on what she can control this week and not let thoughts of the Solheim Cup alter that.

“It is what it is. I wish I would have played a little bit better, but I’ve been really working on things and trying to just get better in general,” Creamer said. “I know I can do it. There is no reason why I can’t go on and play a good week.”

Brittany Lang, a member of the last three Solheim Cup teams but firmly on the bubble this year, actually played nine holes with Inkster Tuesday but didn’t use the time to state her case to the Captain. Instead, she’s hoping a string of five top-20s, including three top-10s, in the last eight events are enough to convince her captain. Either way, she won’t be bitter at Inkster and doesn’t envy the position she’s in and the pressure of trying to make the team won’t keep Lang up at night.

“I think like I fall asleep more thinking about the fun Solheims I’ve had and how much it means to me,” Lang said. “But at the end of the day that’s not going to make me play better. You just have to come out and keep doing what you’ve been doing, which I think I’ve done a good job of.”

Ultimately, all three hope they can play their way on this week. The possibility is remote, if not null, but as surprising as it may be to be four rounds from potentially having to rely on Inkster’s picks, there’s no one to blame but their play.

“I think it’s just tough to see such great players in such weird positions,” Korda said, “but at the same time it’s tough because you know that they’re great players, and I feel bad for Juli that she has to make that decision.”

Korda’s hope, albeit remote if not null, is that none of their names end up in the process at all.

“I told Juli if you feel I can help the team or anyone can help the team, that’s who you need to choose,” Korda said. “You can’t choose just because you like the person or whatever. But all three of us are going to try to play our way on to the team so she doesn’t have to make that decision.”

Don't Blame the Captain

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