How a 35-year-old rookie finally earned her Solheim Cup debut

CROMVOIRT, Netherlands – Lindy Duncan, a 35-year-old golfer, has finally earned her Solheim Cup debut. Legendary coach Dan Brooks is confident in her abilities, stating that her talent and passion will always triumph over her inner critic. Duncan is one of only four Blue Devils to be named a first-team All-American all four years, winning six times and ranking second in career top-20s.

Despite her success in college, Duncan was hesitant to turn pro, finding herself in a world that had a bigger jump than she anticipated. She struggled with insecurity and high expectations, often feeling she wasn't good enough compared to the best players. After graduating in 2013, she took less than three years to earn her first LPGA card and remained competitive for five seasons.

However, her performances declined over the years, with her final LPGA season placing her at No. 115. In December 2022, Duncan missed her chance to regain her card at the Q-Series after a quadruple-bogey 8 on her 144th hole. Her drive went awry, and she felt complete panic. Confronted with the choice to stop playing or persevere, Duncan decided to try again.

With conditional status for two consecutive years, Duncan qualified and made the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open and finished third at the Dana Open, reactivating her full membership. She then worked with instructor Sean Foley, who introduced her to the power of mantras. Embracing pressure, Duncan turned a breakthrough swing into her first top-10 finish in 29 major championships.

The U.S. captain Angela Stanford selected Duncan as one of her three captain's picks, praising her grit and putting. Duncan's inclusion on the Solheim Cup team alongside Andrea Lee, seen as a steady driver of the ball, aims to inspire her teammates and provide them with much-needed stability.