Dame Laura Davies has publicly urged Charley Hull to step up and assume a leadership role for Team Europe as the Solheim Cup approaches in September. The call comes after European captain Anna Nordqvist announced her final four captain's selections on Monday, completing a 12‑player roster that will compete on home soil in the Netherlands from September 11 to 13, aiming to reclaim the trophy from the United States.
Hull and Spain's Carlota Ciganda bring the most Solheim Cup experience to the European camp, each heading into the event for a record eighth appearance. Hull, a native of England, has enjoyed a standout 2026 season, finishing inside the top ten at three of the five major championships. Most recently, she shared a sixth‑place finish at the AIG Women’s Open, underscoring her consistent form heading into the team competition.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Davies—who holds the European record for the most Solheim Cup appearances—praised the composition of the squad: "It’s a really strong looking team. You’ve got the experience, some of them are young but really well experienced in Solheim Cup golf. I think it’s a lovely blend." She added that Hull’s previous performances, even in a losing effort in Virginia, demonstrated the kind of grit and poise Europe will need.
"I think Charley will be the leader again and we’ll need her to perform like she did before. I know it was a losing performance over there in Virginia, but she’s got to step up and lead that team out," Davies said.
The European side will be missing two notable players. Georgia Hall is on maternity leave after giving birth earlier this year, while Sweden’s Madelene Sagström is also unavailable as she prepares for her own maternity leave in September. Their absences leave a gap in experience, but the captain’s picks aim to fill it with a mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers.
Among the four captain’s selections, Irish golfer Leona Maguire stands out. Maguire, who made a splash as an unbeaten rookie in Europe’s 2021 victory in Inverness, has continued to earn caps in 2023 and 2024.
At 31, she was the highest‑ranked European on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who did not qualify automatically, having logged three top‑10 finishes on the LPGA Tour this season despite missing the cut in four of the five majors. Maguire joins Spain’s Julia López Ramírez, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, and England’s Mimi Rhodes as the final additions to the squad.
Nordqvist, who also appeared on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast after finalising her team, expressed confidence in Hull’s ability to inspire her teammates. "You’re just going to let Charley be Charley," she said. "It was really nice to see how much she really enjoyed the Solheim Cup last time in Washington. I know we lost, but just seeing her enjoy the whole experience, light up the team room just with her personality.
It’s great to see her playing probably the best golf of her life, being up there in majors. She lives for those moments, so I can’t wait to see her tee it up." Davies echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of a strong nucleus of experienced players complemented by enthusiastic younger talent. "We’ve lost a few of the stalwarts, obviously Georgia Hall with the baby and Sagström, another big loss.
The captain obviously not playing. But what we have got is a good nucleus of players that have played a lot of Solheim Cups and then the younger players that are just keen as mustard and want to get out there and play," she noted.
Maguire’s reputation as a clutch performer was highlighted by both Nordqvist and Davies. Nordqvist praised her “special something” that makes her a natural fit for the pressure‑filled environment of the Solheim Cup, calling her a potential MVP after a strong debut in Inverness. Davies went further, labeling Maguire an "absolute lock" for the captain’s pick, citing her impressive record of eight and a half points from twelve Solheim Cup matches—a winning percentage just under 70 percent, and even higher in earlier outings. The upcoming Solheim Cup will mark the end of a nine‑year streak of appearances for captain Anna Nordqvist, who will step down after the event.
Her leadership will be crucial as Europe seeks to reverse the United States’ recent dominance, especially after the Americans’ victory in the 2024 edition. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf, which will broadcast all three days of competition. The tournament promises high‑stakes match play, national pride, and the chance for emerging European talent to make a name for themselves on one of golf’s biggest stages.
With Hull’s leadership, Maguire’s proven match‑play pedigree, and a blend of veteran savvy and youthful energy, Team Europe hopes to rally the home crowd and bring the Solheim Cup back to the Netherlands. For those interested in attending or watching the matches, Sky Sports offers streaming options without a long‑term contract, and additional golf content, including the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, provides deeper analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insight. As the September dates draw nearer, the conversation will shift from squad selection to strategy, pairings, and the pivotal moments that could decide the fate of the trophy.