Sarah Schmelzel Facts: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About The Solheim Cup Rookie

Sarah Schmelzel is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour and has just been selected to make her Solheim Cup debut. While she is yet to win as a pro, she has 12 career top-10s - including a runner-up finish at the Blue Bay LPGA in 2024. Get to know Schmelzel better with these facts…

1. Sarah Schmelzel was born May 12, 1994 in Phoenix, Arizona. 

2. She first played golf when she was just five years old, with one of her first golfing memories being building sand castles in the practice bunker at her home course, Moon Valley, while her dad practiced. 

3. Before fully committing to golf, Schmelzel was a competitive gymnast. She would train 30-35 hours a week growing up and won the Arizona State Championship in uneven bars while in middle school.

4. She says she fell in love with golf after watching Annika Sorenstam shoot a historic 59 at her home course in the 2001 Standard Register Ping.

5. She decided to focus on golf in the eighth grade and became a standout in high school at Xavier Prep. She won medalist honors at the 2011 Arizona State High School Championships and helped her team to three state titles.

6. Schmelzel attended the University of South Carolina between 2012 and 2016, where she won one individual title. She was named on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team and was an honorable mention All-American as a senior. She was also on the SEC academic honor roll for every year during her studies.

7. She turned pro after graduating college and joined the Epson Tour in 2017. In her second year on Tour, she claimed seven top-10 finishes to finish 13th on the money list.

8. She earned her LPGA Tour card for the 2019 season after finishing third at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series.

9. Although she is yet to register a professional victory, Schmelzel has 15 top-10s in her career, with her best finish of second coming at the Blue Bay LPGA in 2024.

10. Her best finish at a Major is T9th at the 2024 Women’s PGA Championship.

11. Schmelzel has made over $2.6 million in prize money during her career.

12. Her hobbies include hiking, yoga and being outdoors.

13. Schmelzel was selected to make her Solheim Cup debut at the 2024 event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. She was one of three wildcard picks by Stacy Lewis alongside Lexi Thompson and Jennifer Kupcho.

14. Schmelzel's highest Rolex World Ranking position is 58th.

15. She uses Callaway clubs right through the bag, except for her putter, which is an Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas with what appears to be a Strokelab shaft.

Sarah Schmelzel Bio