Following the dramatic conclusion of the season’s final major, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Anna Nordqvist announced her four captain’s picks to complete Team Europe for the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup. The biennial contest will take place from September 11-13 at Bernardus Golf in The Netherlands.
Nordvqist named Ireland’s Leona Maguire, who comes experienced with three Solheim Cup appearances already under her belt (and 8.5 points from her 12 matches), as well as three rookies – Julia López Ramirez of Spain, Nastasia Nadaud of France and England’s Mimi Rhodes.
“I’m really excited to be part of Team Europe again in September and I’m happy that Anna has picked me to be on the team,” said Maguire. “I love the Solheim Cup, it brings the best out of my game and I love being part of the team. I can’t wait to represent Europe for the fourth time and to be back on European soil.”
López Ramirez, 23, will make her Solheim Cup debut during her first season on the LET and second on the LPGA Tour.
“It’s so cool!” she said. “I have a lot of respect for Anna and trust her decisions. I’m living the dream right now. This is what you dream of when you’re a kid to be on the team and be able to experience it and all the big crowds. I’m on cloud nine. I wanted to get there and the fact I’ve achieved this dream super quick is amazing. I’m so excited.”
Nadaud, another rookie, was equally thrilled by her selection, saying: “It’s unbelievable! If you’d have told me six months ago, I’d be on the European Solheim Cup team, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s a dream come true to be able to represent Europe and in a home Solheim Cup on European soil. I’m so excited and proud to be part of Team Europe in September.”
Rhodes completes the quartet of captain’s picks and is the fourth rookie in Europe’s line-up. The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough debut LET season in 2025, claiming three victories and the Rookie of the Year title.
“It’s always been a dream and goal of mine to play in the Solheim Cup,” said the Englishwoman. “Being part of the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2019 showed me what this team means, and to now be selected for the 2026 Solheim Cup is beyond anything I imagined. I’m so proud to represent Team Europe so early in my professional career, and I can’t wait until September.”
Reflecting on her four captain’s picks, Nordqvist added: “Leona has proved herself at the Solheim Cup, she has a huge passion for the European team and her record speaks for itself. She is a player you want on your team especially in matchplay and I’m thrilled to pick her.
“Julia has really impressed me since turning professional. She has a great personality and she is a great ball-striker, very passionate and will bring great energy to the European team.
“Nastasia is a great young player who has been getting better and better in the qualifying period. After getting her first win on the LET, she is having a solid rookie season on the LPGA and is deserving of a spot on the team.
“Since turning professional, Mimi has impressed me with her performances, winning three times on the LET last year and has played on the LPGA Tour. She is an experienced matchplay player and is a fierce competitor.”
The group is now set to join the eight automatic team qualifiers, which include England’s Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, Swedish duo Maja Stark and Linn Grant, France’s Céline Boutier, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Germany’s Esther Henseleit, whose runner-up finish at the AIG Women’s Open secured her a last-minute LET Solheim Cup Points spot.
Team Europe will be looking to regain the cup after USA claimed victory on home soil in 2024.