Paula Creamer was left off the United States team for the Solheim Cup when the Captain’s Picks were announced, but made the team a few days later because Jessica Korda withdrew because of a left forearm injury.
The 31-year-old Creamer, from Pleasanton, has played in six Solheim Cups, four won by the U.S., and has a 14-8-5 record in the event. Inkster said she didn’t have anybody else in mind for the spot.
The matches will be played next week at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa.
“I didn’t know when Jessica was going to make this announcement, and I just felt Paula, if she had to come in Wednesday night and tee it up Friday that she could handle that,” said Inkster, who added that Creamer was the only player she considered.
“I needed the experience. I needed someone that was not afraid to step in at that point and contribute to the team.”
It seemed Creamer would miss the event when Inkster made Solheim Cup rookies Austin Ernst and Angel Yin.
Creamer was one on Inkster’s Captain’s Picks two years ago in Germany and went out in the first match on Friday to earn a point, and when the Americans claimed the victory with a huge rally in Sunday singles, she beat Sandra Gal of Germany to earned the winning point.
“Been a bit of a roller coaster, that’s for sure,” Creamer said. “You know, I played really hard these last couple of weeks, and I’ve tried to give it a big push as much as I could … you never want to hear somebody say you’re not picked.”
The U.S. holds a 9-5 lead in the Solheim Cup.
