JULI INKSTER TO CAPTAIN USA FOR THIRD TIME ... AT GLENEAGLES 2019

By Keith Jackson

Juli Inkster

Juli Inkster will captain Team USA for the third successive time as next year's Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.

Inkster has led her team to back-to-back wins in the last two contests, and the American legend has accepted the role once again as she bids to retain the trophy against Catriona Matthew's side in September, 2019.

The 57-year-old, who also featured in five winning teams in her nine appearances as a player, becomes the first three-time captain for Team USA since the competition was launched in 1990, and she is looking forward to taking on the responsibility.

Inkster said: "This is an unbelievable honour and one I do not take lightly. I'm so stoked to be able to take the US Team to Scotland, the home of golf, to compete in the 2019 Solheim Cup. We can't wait to get started.”

Catriona Matthew will be Inkster's opposite number at Gleneagles

Her appointment was warmly welcomed by her European counterpart Matthew, who faced Inkster in only two matches despite both featuring in six Solheim Cup events.

"Congratulations to Juli on this announcement," Matthew said. "She's done an amazing job in the last two Solheim Cups, and throughout her Solheim career, and will certainly be a formidable opponent at Gleneagles.

"Juli is someone who I have admired very much over the years in all that she has achieved both on and off the golf course, and I am delighted she will be my opposite number for the 2019 match.

"I've definitely picked up some valuable insights into Juli's captaincy style over the last two matches, so I am excited we are both now in place and are ready to get down to business."

Inkster led her side to a five point win last year

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan added: "Juli being the US Solheim Cup captain for a third time is certainly historic, but almost everything about Juli's career is historic.

"She has set the standard on the LPGA Tour in so many ways, and now she'll do the same for the US Solheim Cup Team. Under Juli's unique style of leadership, the US Team is relaxed, cohesive and incredibly successful.

"Maintaining this highly successful formula, and continuing Team USA's momentum, was the first priority among the US Solheim Cup Committee."

Team USA produced a historic comeback to win for Inkster in 2015

Inkster inspired the biggest final-day comeback in Solheim Cup history in her first stint as captain in 2015, when Team USA overturned a 10-6 deficit to snatch a thrilling victory in Germany.

The seven-time major champion retained the captaincy for last year's edition in Iowa, where the hosts cruised to a five-point win thanks to a dominant performance in the two fourballs sessions.