The players got what the players wanted.
The LPGA announced Friday that Juli Inkster will return as U.S. Solheim Cup captain in 2017, getting the call to again lead the American side after being at the helm of a record final-day comeback in Germany in September, overcoming a four-point deficit and the Gimmegate controversy to earn the first American road win in the biennial series since 2007.
"I have had a lot of exciting and memorable highlights during my time on tour but leading that team of 12 women was one of the biggest thrills of my entire golf career," Inkster said during a Friday news conference in the Hawkeye State.
"So the answer was easy and I wanted to have this announced as soon as I could because keeping a secret isn't one of my strengths. I'm thrilled by the challenge of defending the Cup on home soil next summer and can't wait to put on a show in Des Moines."
Inkster, who will be 57 when the matches are played at Des Moines Golf & Country Club in Iowa, competed in nine Solheim Cup matches, earning a record of 15-12-7.
The American comeback in Germany ended a two-match European winning streak, including the first European win on American soil in the now 25-year-old series back in 2013 in Colorado.
The 2017 Solheim Cup will be played Aug. 18-20.
