Chiara Tamburlini, the Swiss golfer who has been fighting for a place on Team Europe’s Solheim Cup, finds herself in a tense waiting game after an early exit at the AIG Women’s Open. The 26‑year‑old entered the final women’s major of the season perched near the top of the Ladies European Tour’s Solheim Cup points list, holding the second‑most points heading into the tournament. With the top two players in the standings after this week’s event automatically earning spots on Anna Nordqvist’s captain’s squad, Tamburlini’s hopes now hinge on the performances of her rivals over the weekend. At Royal Lytham & St Annes, Tamburlini started with a 75, which included a costly four‑bogey that set her back early.
She followed that with a three‑over 74 on Friday morning, which ultimately left her well outside the cut line. Her margin over the cut was a slender 1.1 points ahead of fellow Swiss competitor Helen Briem, but both Briem and France’s Agathe Laisne missed the cut, ending their automatic qualification chances. Consequently, Tamburlini’s destiny now rests on how other players finish in the remaining rounds of the Open. "I want it so badly, but sometimes the things you want so badly almost hinder your performance," Tamburlini said through tears in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.
She expressed disappointment at not being able to compete over the weekend, yet she remains hopeful that the points she has already accumulated will be enough to secure her first Solheim Cup berth. "Obviously I’m really disappointed not to be playing the weekend. I really hope I’ll still get the spot, and if I do, it’ll be a huge motivation for the next few events," she added.
The Solheim Cup has been a clear target for Tamburlini this year, coinciding with her debut season on the LPGA Tour. "It’s my first year on the LPGA, and establishing myself has been tough.
Getting the Cup would give me a real boost," she explained. Her season on the LPGA has been a roller‑coaster. 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 numbers, Tamburlini believes her game is stronger than the results suggest.
"Over the last seven or eight weeks I’ve felt a real connection with my teammates again. Early in the year, being based in the United States made it hard to gel, but now we’re clicking," she said. "The scores don’t reflect it, but my swing feels solid and I’m seeing the kind of golf I played two years ago, which is encouraging despite the disappointment in the results." She acknowledged the fine margins that separate success from disappointment in elite golf.
"My game isn’t terrible – the margins are just incredibly small. One putt, one missed fairway, and it can swing the whole round," Tamburlini noted.
Tamburlini recently participated in Europe’s team outing at Bernardus Golf following the Evian Championship. The experience, she said, reinforced her desire to be part of the Solheim Cup squad.
"Being there reminded me just how much I want this. It was also great to bond with the senior players I haven’t played much with before.
They’ve been welcoming and supportive, answering all my questions," she said. Looking ahead, the leaderboard will be closely watched. Lottie Woad could overtake Tamburlini with a top‑three finish, while Maja Stark, Carlota Ciganda, and several other contenders have the potential to push her out of the automatic qualifying positions. "I’ll be glued to the leaderboard over the weekend, but I’m also trying not to obsess over it," Tamburlini admitted.
The Solheim Cup qualification window closes Sunday night. The top two players on the LET points list who are also the highest‑ranked 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. Potential picks include Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Leona Maguire, and former major champion Georgia Hall, among others.
Tamburlini’s journey illustrates the emotional roller‑coaster that professional golfers endure when a single tournament can determine a career‑defining opportunity. While the AIG Women’s Open ended in disappointment, the Swiss player remains determined to seize any chance that comes her way.
Whether she secures a place through the points system or receives a captain’s pick, Tamburlini’s resolve to represent Europe on one of golf’s biggest stages remains unwavering. For fans following the drama, Sky Sports will continue to provide live coverage of the AIG Women’s Open throughout the weekend, with additional programming on Sky Sports Golf. The Solheim Cup itself is scheduled for September 11‑13, when Europe will face the United States in a three‑day showdown that promises high‑stakes competition and intense national pride.