Something to shoot for

Prospective Solheim Cup players have a month to make their case

Throughout the next month, Americans on the LPGA Tour will battle fiercely over four tournaments in pursuit of a coveted spot on the Solheim Cup team.

Laura Diaz has competed in the last four Solheim Cups and desperately wants to play for her country again when the event comes to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from Aug. 21 to 23.

But should she finish outside the top 10 in the standings -- the range that would guarantee her a spot on the team -- she has the ultimate card to play with U.S. captain Beth Daniel, who has two discretionary picks.

You see, Diaz has done something even the greatest in golf history never could accomplish.

Not Hogan. Not Palmer. Not Nicklaus. Not anyone.

Diaz describes her favorite Solheim Cup memory thusly:

"Mine personally was when I was five months pregnant and my husband was caddying for me and I won my singles match with my son in my belly," Diaz said. "That would definitely be my most memorable experience, when we were at Crooked Stick in Indianapolis (in 2005)."

Let's see Tiger top that one.

All right, so it's unfair to put male golfers on trial in this case because of obvious biological restrictions. But you can't question the resolve of someone who can manage such dramatic changes in her body to the point that she still can beat the best players in the world.

She didn't just win that match by a nose -- or two -- either. She throttled Iben Tinning, 6 and 5, as the U.S. went on to take care of the European squad, 15½ to 12½.

Diaz is 11th in the current Solheim Cup standings, but she can all but lock up a spot on the U.S. team if she wins the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic this weekend in Ohio. She shares the lead after the first round at 7 under.

Fellow American Brittany Lang would like nothing better than to savor one Solheim Cup victory, let alone three as Diaz has. Lang has progressed steadily up the money list since her rookie year of 2006 and resides in a solid fourth in the standings headed into this weekend.

Without putting the golf cart before the horse, Lang is keeping the third full week in August clear.

"I think it's going to be one of the best weeks I've ever had," she said. "I've never been on a Solheim Cup team and I've dreamt about it for a while, and it was disappointing when I didn't make it (in 2007). But I just knew I needed to play a little bit better, and I feel I'm more prepared for it this year."

Diaz is proof that one is bound to witness incredible things at an event like the Solheim Cup. Her fortitude also shows that when it comes to defending national honor -- there is no prize money for this tournament -- players will go to jaw-dropping lengths.

Lang and Diaz expounded on the qualifying process after a recent practice round at Rich Harvest Farms.

"Good golf speaks for itself; I don't think you have to do anything special," Diaz said. "I think all of the captains understand that everybody has a passion for Solheim Cup and everybody wants to play. I think it just comes down to how you're playing at the time of the team selection."

"It's been over the course of two years (that players have accumulated points)," Lang said. "Are you consistent? How well have you played? What have you done? And like Laura said, at the time of the Solheim Cup, are you playing well right then?"

So Daniel's car won't be cleaner, or her taxes won't be done in effort to lock up a spot?

"Well, we're not gonna say that," Lang said, laughing.

"I don't know, Beth, are you willing to take money?" Diaz asked. "That's what they want to know ..."

Daniel, a chip shot away from the conversation taking place, shook her head.

"No, she's not really interested in that," Diaz said.

Shifting gears, the U.S. hopefuls considered what could sway Daniel before the team roster is finalized after the Women's British Open on Aug. 2.

"We're going to be cooking her dinner," Diaz said.

"Rubbing her feet," Lang added, continuing the thought. "Yeah, massages on a daily basis," Diaz said.

With those potential perks, it will be good to be Beth Daniel for the next month or so.

Just not as sweet as it will be to earn a spot on the team.