No I believe that Coach Hurst put the best team that was available with what she had to work with. The 3 Captain's pick (Altomare, Harigae, and Noh) were not the ones that caused the US to lose. It was their partner's play most of the time. In Saturday's morning round Thompson and Altomare lost, but it was Thompson who lost the match. In the afternoon round Hurst had Altomare and Noh play and Thompson and Harigae play. I believe that both rookies were the better (Noh and Harigae) then Thompson and Altomare. The only two pairings that I didn't agree with were the Kroda sisters in Saturday's morning round and the Altomare and Noh pairing in the afternoon round.
The rookies played well together, Thompson and Altomare were a terrible pairing in alternate shot. Altomare is so short off the tee, Thompson was playing shot 30 or 40 yards from where she normally plays.
I would have played Thompson and J. Korda and Altomare & N. Korda on the alternate shot pairings. In the Olympic play Thompson appeared to already be playing 30 or 40 yards shorter.
They were together because Altomare is a great putter and Lexi struggles. Plus, and I could be dead wrong, the vibe Lexi has with rhe rest of the team isn’t good. She was in a pod with Altomare, Noh and Harigae.
They should have had the rookies in separate pods so that they have more veterans to learn off of. Having 3 rookies in one pod is Coach Hurst's fault.
Hurst surveyed the players a head of time. They had a say on who they played with. Lexi played a practice round Tuesday by herself. Odd in a team event. Again, I could be reading the signs incrrectly but on paper, there are several great partners for Lexi. By the way, Lexi hit it really well and I’d an outstanding singles match against Nordquist. Nordquist is still in dorm after her major victory.
