Leona Maguire has earned a place among Team Europe’s captain’s selections for the upcoming Solheim Cup, with veteran Anna Nordqvist adding three fresh faces to the roster. Maguire’s inclusion marks her fourth appearance in the biennial competition, having burst onto the scene in 2021 as an unbeaten rookie who topped the scoring board during Europe’s decisive away victory over the United States. She continued to represent the continent in the 2023 edition and again in 2024, building a reputation as a reliable match‑play performer.
At 31, Maguire entered the selection process as the highest‑ranked European on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who had not secured an automatic berth. Her season on the LPGA Tour featured three top‑10 finishes, yet she missed the cut in four of the five major championships, a factor that left her just short of automatic qualification.
Nonetheless, her proven track record in Solheim Cup pressure situations convinced Nordqvist to give her a captain’s pick, announced live on Sky Sports. The three additional picks were Spain’s rising star Julia Lopez Ramirez, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, and England’s Mimi Rhodes.
Lopez Ramirez, a former world amateur No. 1, has impressed in just her second LPGA season, highlighted by a strong showing at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. Nadaud earned her spot by winning the 2025 season‑ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, while Rhodes secured her place after a trio of Ladies European Tour victories last year. Maguire expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I’m really excited to be part of Team Europe again in September.
I love the Solheim Cup; it brings the best out of my game and I love being part of the team.” Captain Nordqvist echoed the sentiment, noting, “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 match play – and I’m thrilled to pick her.” Europe’s lineup now features four debutants, the most in recent years, alongside seasoned campaigners such as Maja Stark and Linn Grant, who return for their third straight Solheim Cup, and automatic qualifiers Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen. The team will travel to Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands for the September 11‑13 showdown against Angela Stanford’s United States side, hoping to recapture the trophy after a 2024 defeat.
Rhodes, reflecting on her selection, said, “It’s always been a dream and goal of mine to play in the Solheim Cup. 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.” Nadaud added, “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.” Nordqvist, speaking on Sky Sports News after finalising the roster, highlighted the blend of experience and youthful vigor: “I couldn’t be more proud and excited to finalize the team. I think we have a good mixture of experience and we have four rookies – the most we have had in a couple of years – but the rookies are not playing like rookies. They will bring a great attitude and positivity. We knew coming into the year that it was going to be a little different, but different can also be good.
The way these girls play, they are so fearless and they show up and they are ready.” The qualification campaign for Team Europe concluded after the AIG Women’s Open, where the top two finishers on the Ladies European Tour Solheim Cup points list and the next six highest‑ranked players worldwide earned automatic spots. Charley Hull topped the points list, securing her eighth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance, while Esther Henseleit edged out Chiara Tamburlini by a narrow 0.9‑point margin, thanks to a runner‑up finish at the season‑ending major.
Henseleit shared her feelings: “I’m really happy to be part of the European Solheim Cup team again. It was a great experience last time in the United States but I’m very excited to be in the team on European soil. With it being so close to Germany, I hope a lot of fans come out and watch.” England’s Lottie Woad will also debut, becoming the highest‑ranked European in the world rankings after a string of victories on both the LET and LPGA tours since turning professional thirteen months ago. The depth of talent across the continent underscores Europe’s confidence that they can challenge the United States on home turf.
On the American side, the qualification process wraps up after the CPKC Women’s Open, with the top seven players on the Solheim Cup points list and the next two highest‑ranked players earning spots. Captain Stanford will later announce her three captain’s picks, completing the U.S. roster.
Fans eager to follow the drama can watch all three days of action live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13. The event promises high‑stakes match play, national pride, and the chance for newcomers like Lopez Ramirez, Nadaud and Rhodes to make a lasting impression alongside veterans. Whether Europe can reclaim the cup remains to be seen, but the blend of seasoned leaders and hungry rookies suggests a compelling contest that will captivate golf enthusiasts worldwide.