Fresh faces, hopeful returnees looking to make Europe's Solheim Cup team

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – The Spaniards, English and Swedes are lining up as a potentially formidable nucleus of this year’s European Solheim Cup team with qualifying intensifying at the ANA Inspiration.

Carlota Ciganda is off to a promising start this season. She tied for second at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup two weeks ago and finished third at the Honda Thailand on the Asian swing. Fellow Spaniard Azahara Munoz is regaining her form after suffering through some health issues and failing to make the team two years ago.

They were match-play dynamos when the Spaniards won the inaugural International Crown team event.

“This is probably the best my game’s been beginning the year,” said Ciganda, a…