Chiara Tamburlini, the Swiss golfer who has been fighting for a place on Team Europe’s Solheim Cup squad, is now enduring a tense wait after failing to make the cut at the AIG Women’s Open. Heading into the season‑ending major, Tamburlini was sitting second on the Ladies European Tour’s Solheim Cup points list, a position that would normally guarantee a spot alongside the points‑leader once the final round was completed. However, a disappointing opening round of 75, which included a four‑bogey, and a follow‑up 74 on Friday left her three strokes over par and out of the tournament, putting her future Solheim Cup hopes in the hands of other players.
At Royal Lytham & St Annes, Tamburlini entered the event with a narrow 1.1‑point advantage over fellow Swede Helen Briem. Both Briem and France’s Agathe Laisne also missed the cut, effectively ending their automatic qualification chances. This development left Tamburlini in a precarious position: she now must rely on the performance of other Europeans over the weekend to see if she can still secure a place in the prestigious team competition. "I want it [the Solheim Cup spot] so badly, but sometimes the things you want so badly almost hinder your performance," Tamburlini said, her voice breaking as she spoke exclusively to Sky Sports.
The 26‑year‑old expressed deep disappointment at not being able to compete in the final rounds of the Open, yet she remains hopeful that the points from other players will fall in her favour. "Obviously I’m really disappointed not to be playing this weekend. I really hope I’ll still get the spot, and if I do, it will be a huge motivation for the next few events," she added. Tamburlini noted that making the Solheim Cup has been one of her primary goals for the year, especially as she navigates her rookie season on the LPGA Tour.
"It’s my first year on the LPGA, and establishing myself has been tough. Getting this spot would give me a real boost," she explained. Her season on the LPGA has been a struggle so far. She has not finished higher than 17th in any tournament and has missed the cut in four of her last six starts.
Despite the statistics, Tamburlini insists her game is better than the numbers suggest. "I feel like over the last seven or eight weeks I’ve been really close with everybody on my team again," she said. "We’re connecting more now – it was harder at the start of the year when I was based more in the U.S." She also highlighted that, although the scores don’t reflect it, her overall game feels more solid. "I’m starting to recognize my swing and feel more like I did two years ago, which is encouraging, even if the results haven’t shown it yet," Tamburlini noted.
She acknowledged that margins in professional golf are razor‑thin, and a few strokes can be the difference between making a cut and missing out. Tamburlini was part of Europe’s team trip to Bernardus Golf after the Evian Championship, an experience that reinforced her desire to compete in the Solheim Cup. "Just being there made me realise again how much I want it," she admitted. She also appreciated the chance to bond with senior teammates she hadn’t played with much before.
"They’ve been super welcoming, answering my questions and making me feel part of the group," she said. The leaderboard remains fluid.
A top‑three finish by Lottie Woad could push her ahead of Tamburlini, while strong performances from Maja Stark, Carlota Ciganda and others could also affect the final points tally. Tamburlini confessed she will be watching the leaderboard closely throughout the weekend, even though she is trying to keep her focus on other aspects of her game. "I’ll probably be looking at the leaderboard a lot, but I’m telling myself not to obsess over it," she said.
The Solheim Cup qualification period concludes on Sunday evening. The top two players on the LET points list, provided they are also among the highest‑ranked players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, will earn automatic spots. After the points are finalized, captain Anna Nordqvist will announce her four captain’s picks on Monday afternoon during a live Sky Sports broadcast. Players such as Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Leona Maguire and former major champion Georgia Hall are expected to be in contention for those discretionary selections.
For Tamburlini, the coming days are a mixture of anxiety and hope. She knows that even if she does not secure an automatic place, a captain’s pick could still bring her onto the 12‑player European team that will face the United States from September 11‑13.
"I’m trying to take some pressure off myself and keep a positive mindset," she said. "Whatever happens, I’ll keep working hard and stay ready for the opportunity." The AIG Women’s Open continues to unfold, with live coverage on Sky Sports and streaming options available without a contract.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be watching not only the chase for the major title but also the ripple effects on the Solheim Cup race, where every point and every missed cut can reshape the composition of one of golf’s most storied team events.