DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) – U.S. captain Nancy Lopez has all but decided who her two selections will be for the Solheim Cup team. Now it’s a matter of making the announcement on Sunday.

“As the days have gone on, I’ve become a little bit more sure of which way I’m leaning,” she said Saturday during a suspension of play at the Wendy’s Championship for Children.

“But I will have to decide that probably tonight.”

The top 10 players on the Solheim points list earn spots on the team, with the U.S. captain making two other selections. The U.S. takes on Europe in the Ryder Cup-style event Sept. 9-11 at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind.

Assured of spots are Cristie Kerr, Meg Mallon, Juli Inkster, Rosie Jones, Natalie Gulbis, Christina Kim, Pat Hurst and Paula Creamer. Laura Diaz came into the Wendy’s holding the No. 9 spot with Michele Redman 10th, but both can be bumped out so that the only way they can make the team is to be picked by Lopez.

Creamer has won twice this year on the LPGA Tour and is near the lead at the Wendy’s event. She said making the Solheim team has been one of her goals this year.

“I am so pumped for that week,” she said. “When you’re there, it’s all adrenaline.”

Dorothy Delasin, No. 11 on the U.S. points list, and No. 12 Heather Bowie both missed the cut in Dublin. Wendy Ward, No. 13 in the points standings, can still earn her way on the team by winning the Wendy’s. Any of the three can be a captain’s pick.

The points are based on finishes the past two years in LPGA events, with 2005 tournaments and major championships carrying more weight. Lopez said she was not taking 2004 into consideration when it comes to her picks.

“I have to look and see what they’ve done this year, and really – especially – the last few events,” Lopez said.

The team will be announced Sunday afternoon after the final round of the Wendy’s tournament.

In addition to those in the top 13, Lopez could select Hall of Famer Beth Daniel or Stacy Prammanasudh.

Lopez said she is taking several factors into consideration other than how a player has performed recently: experience, consistency and the ability to be a team player.

“I will definitely look at past Solheim Cups, how they performed, how many points they won,” Lopez said. “Because you can win a golf tournament on the LPGA tour, but there is different pressure playing in the Solheim Cup.”

Diaz has won four points in two Solheim appearances, Redman four in three, Daniel 121/2 in seven, Bowie was scoreless in 2003 and Ward has won 21/2 points in two Solheims.

Prammanasudh and Delasin have never been on a Solheim team.

AP-ES-08-27-05 1514EDT

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