Leona Maguire has earned a place among Team Europe’s captain's selections for the upcoming Solheim Cup, joining a group of fresh faces that Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist has added to her roster. Maguire, now 31, has been a regular fixture in the competition, having made a memorable debut in 2021 when she topped the scoring charts and helped Europe secure a decisive away victory over the United States. She has since featured in the 2023 and 2024 editions, adding valuable experience to her growing résumé.
Despite not qualifying automatically, Maguire was the highest‑ranked European on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who missed out on an automatic berth. Her season on the LPGA Tour has been impressive, highlighted by three top‑10 finishes, although she fell short in four of the five major championships, missing the cut each time. Her blend of proven match‑play ability and recent form made her the sole veteran with prior Solheim Cup experience among Nordqvist’s captain’s picks, which were revealed live on Sky Sports.
The other three selections were Spain’s rising star Julia Lopez Ramirez, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, and England’s Mimi Rhodes. All three have earned their places through a combination of world‑ranking positions and strong performances on the Ladies European Tour (LET). Lopez Ramirez, a former world amateur No.1, has already shown she can compete at the highest level, contending at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open earlier this month.
Nadaud secured a victory at the season‑ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in 2025, while Rhodes capped a successful LET campaign with three tournament wins last season. Maguire expressed her enthusiasm at the news, 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." Her sentiment was echoed by captain Nordqvist, who praised Maguire’s passion and track record, especially in match‑play formats: "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." The announcement also revealed that Europe will field four debutants when they face Angela Stanford’s United States side at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11‑13.
The hosts are eager to reclaim the trophy after a disappointing 2024 loss. Rhodes, who described her selection as a dream come true, added, "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 echoed the excitement, noting that just six months prior she would never have imagined wearing the European colors: "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 after finalising the roster, highlighted the balance between experience and youth: "I couldn’t be more proud and excited to finalise 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." Team Europe’s qualification campaign concluded after the AIG Women’s Open, where the top two players on the LET Solheim Cup points list and the next six highest‑ranked Europeans secured automatic spots. Charley Hull topped the points list, earning her eighth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance, while Esther Henseleit edged out Chiara Tamburlini for the second automatic place by a narrow 0.9‑point margin, thanks to a runner‑up finish at the final women’s major of the year. Henseleit, reflecting on her selection, said, "I’m really happy to be part of the European Solheim Cup team again. It was a great experience last time out 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." Other automatically qualified players include England’s Lottie Woad, who became the highest‑ranked European in the world rankings after a string of strong finishes on both the LET and LPGA Tour since turning professional. Sweden’s Maja Stark and Linn Grant return for their third straight Solheim Cups, while France’s Celine Boutier, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen also secured their places through the points system.
Across the Atlantic, Team USA’s qualification process will finish after the CPKC Women’s Open in August, with the top seven players on the Solheim Cup points list and the next two highest‑ranked players earning spots before captain Stanford makes her three captain’s picks later this month. Fans eager to see whether Europe can recapture the cup can watch the entire contest live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13. The competition promises high‑stakes match play, national pride, and the chance for newcomers to make a lasting impact on one of women’s golf’s most prestigious events.