European Solheim Cup Team Determined To Deny USA Rivals On Home Soil For A Third Time Running

After the euphoria of Sunday’s brilliant GB & I Walker Cup triumph and Europe’s best women pro golfers are in Holland for this week’s 20th hosting of the Solheim Cup to be held 7–13 September at Bernardus Golf in North Brabant, Netherlands.

The Solheim Cup is the pinnacle of pro women’s team golf and held a biennially between the top women professional golfers from Europe and the United States. It returned to even-numbered years in 2024 after the Ryder Cup returned to an odd-year schedule after 2020.

The 2026 edition is the first to be run by IMG, who were appointed by the LET as the delivery partner of the European Solheim Cup from 2026 until 2038.

Image IMG Golf

The competition is a three-day match play event between teams of 12 players with a similar format to the Ryder Cup, with each match worth one point. The format is as follows:

Day 1 (Friday): Four foursomes (alternate shot) matches in a morning session and four fourball (better ball) matches in an afternoon session. A total of eight players from each team participate in each session.
Day 2 (Saturday): Four foursomes matches in a morning session and four fourball matches in an afternoon session. A total of eight players from each team participate in each session.
Day 3 (Sunday): 12 singles matches. All 12 players from each team participate.

With a total of 28 points, 141⁄2 points are required to win the Cup, and 14 points are required for the defending champion to retain the Cup. All matches are played to a maximum of 18 holes. If the score is even after 18 holes, each team earns one-half point.

Venue

Bernardus Golf, designed by Kyle Phillips, opened in 2018 and has hosted three editions of the Dutch Open on the European Tour (2021−2023).

Recent History

Image – IMG Golf

Meet the teams

Team Europe:

Led by ten-time Solheim Cup representative and three-time major champion Anna Nordqvist, Team Europe’s leadership group brings together experience and a deep understanding of what this competition means. Alongside Vice Captains Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid and Anne van Dam, Anna will guide Europe into a new chapter at Bernardus in 2026.

The 12 team members are Charley Hull, Esther Henseleit, Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Céline Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, plus captain’s picks Leona Maguire, Julia Lopez Ramirez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes.

Team USA:

Led by seven-time LPGA Tour winner and six-time Solheim Cup player Angela Stanford, the U.S. leadership team brings proven experience and competitive spirit. Alongside Assistant Captains Kristy McPherson, Paula Creamer and Brittany Lang, Angela will guide the Americans as they prepare to defend the Cup at Bernardus in 2026.

The dozen American members of the visiting team are Nelly Korda, Angel Yin, Jennifer Kupcho, Yealimi Noh, Auston Kim, Lauren Coughlin, Allisen Corpuz, Andrea Lee, Alison Lee, plus captain’s picks Megan Khang, Rose Zhang and Lindy Duncan.