Lexi Thompson embraces her role as leader and mentor on U.S. Solheim Cup squad

I’ll play with anybody that doesn’t give up,” Lexi Thompson said on Friday, all at once in that one sentence asserting her competitive philosophy in the Solheim Cup and underscoring her role as the de facto leader of an American team that isn’t lacking strong voices.

When the 17th edition of the biennial matches begins at 7:35 a.m. ET Saturday at Inverness Club with a session of four foursomes (alternate shot), Thompson undoubtedly will be called upon to carry a heavy match load while also doing all she can to support her teammates as they try to win back the Solheim Cup from a European team that has no shortage of talent and toughness.

Never mind that Thompson is just 26 years old. This will be her fifth Solheim Cup, tied with Lizette Salas for most on the squad. Her 14 victories, including one major, the 2014 ANA Inspiration, is tops among the American dozen.

Salas, Korda sisters Nelly and Jessica, and Danielle Kang all have strong personalities that U.S. captain Pat Hurst can tap for extra reassurance and guidance. As Kang said herself, “I honestly, genuinely think the beauty of this American team this year is everyone is at one point a leader at some time or another.”

Still, there is a sense that Thompson, who also has experience in the Junior Solheim Cup, the Junior Ryder Cup and the Curtis Cup—all team wins, mind you—possesses a resume that her teammates can’t help but respect. She is out front, inescapably. Fortunately, Thompson, the world’s No. 12 player and third-highest American in the Rolex Ranking behind Nelly Korda (first) and Kang (eighth), is fine with that