Lewis named Team USA's Solheim Cup captain

Two-time major champion Stacy Lewis has been named captain of Team USA's Solheim Cup team for the 2023 contest in Spain.

The 36-year-old succeeds Pat Hurst in the role, making her the youngest American captain in Solheim Cup history, with Lewis hoping to help Team USA avoid a third consecutive defeat in the biennial contest.

Lewis made four Solheim Cup appearances as a player from 2011 to 2017, featuring on two winning sides, before serving as an unofficial assistant under Juli Inkster at Gleneagles in 2019 and taking on the role officially in last year's defeat in Ohio.

"To be named captain for the USA Solheim Cup Team is an incredible honour and I'm beyond grateful to the committee for choosing me," Lewis said. "I have so many amazing memories from my years on the team and the two opportunities I've had to work alongside the team.

"I absolutely love the Solheim Cup and I want 2023 to be as great an experience for my team as my years wearing Red, White and Blue have been for me. I have learned so much from the past captains on the Solheim Cup committee, and the fact that they chose me to lead this team is one of the proudest moments of my career.

"Juli (Inkster) gave me my first taste of captaincy when she asked me to help her with the singles line-up in Germany in 2015. Being an assistant captain for Pat (Hurst) was honestly the most fun week I've had at a Solheim Cup. I'm more than ready to step into this role."

The former world No 1 won five, halved one and lost 10 of her 16 matches during her four Solheim Cup appearances, before having to withdraw from the 2019 event due to a back injury and failing to quality for Hurst's side last September.

Lewis is the second-youngest captain for either side. Patty Sheehan was