Chiara Tamburlini, the Swiss golfer who has been fighting for a place on Team Europe for this year’s Solheim Cup, found herself in a tense, emotional waiting game after missing the cut at the AIG Women’s Open. Heading into the final women’s major of the season, Tamburlini sat second on the Ladies European Tour’s Solheim Cup points leaderboard, a position that kept her very much in contention for a spot on Anna Nordqvist’s European squad.
However, a disappointing performance at Royal Lytham & St Annes left her hopes hanging on the results of other players over the weekend. At the start of the tournament, Tamburlini held a narrow 1.1‑point advantage over fellow Swede Helen Briem. Unfortunately, she recorded a four‑bogey finish in the first round, posting a 75, and then added a three‑over‑par 74 on Friday morning, which confirmed her early exit. Both Briem and France’s Agathe Laisne also failed to make the cut, effectively ending their automatic qualification chances.
This left Tamburlini in a precarious position, dependent on how the remaining contenders performed in the remaining rounds. "I want it [the Solheim Cup spot] so badly, but sometimes the things you want most can actually hold you back," Tamburlini said through tears in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports. Her words captured the mix of desperation and frustration that comes with being so close to a career‑defining goal yet still uncertain of the outcome. She went on to explain her disappointment at not being able to compete over the weekend, but also expressed a lingering hope that she would still earn a place on the team.
"If I do make it, it will be a huge motivation for the next few events," she added. "The Solheim Cup has been one of my main objectives for this year, and it coincides with my first season on the LPGA Tour, which has been a challenging transition.
Securing a spot would give me a much‑needed boost." Tamburlini’s 2026 season on the LPGA has been modest so far. The 26‑year‑old has not finished higher than 17th in any tournament and has missed the cut in four of her last six starts. Despite the statistics, she believes her level of play is better than the results suggest.
"Over the past seven or eight weeks I’ve felt a real reconnection with my teammates," she said. "Being in the US early in the year made it harder to bond, but now I feel the chemistry returning." She also noted that while the leaderboard doesn’t reflect it, her game feels more solid than it has in the past two years. "The margins are razor‑thin," Tamburlini said.
"It’s not that my game is terrible; it’s just that tiny differences decide whether you make the cut or not." Earlier this month, Tamburlini traveled with the European team to Bernardus Golf for a team‑building trip after the Evian Championship. The experience reinforced her desire to compete in the Solheim Cup. "Being there reminded me just how much I want this," she admitted. "It was also great to get closer to the senior players I haven’t played much with before.
They’ve been incredibly welcoming and willing to answer any questions." The qualification race remains tight. Lottie Woad could overtake Tamburlini with a top‑three finish, while Maja Stark and Carlota Ciganda are also in a position to push the Swiss player out of an automatic spot. Tamburlini said she will be watching the leaderboard closely over the weekend, but she is trying to keep her focus on her own preparation rather than obsess over the numbers.
"My goal right now is not to stare at the leaderboard too much," she said, though she admitted she will inevitably be checking it. The Solheim Cup qualification process 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 places. After the points list is finalized, Captain Anna Nordqvist will announce her four captain’s picks on Monday afternoon during a live Sky Sports broadcast.
Names being mentioned as possible picks include Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Leona Maguire and former major champion Georgia Hall. For Tamburlini, the weekend represents a make‑or‑break moment. She knows that even if she does not secure an automatic berth, there may still be a chance to be selected as a captain’s pick, especially if she can demonstrate strong form in the remaining events.
"I’m trying to take some pressure off myself by keeping my options open," she explained. "If the worst happens and I don’t get the spot, there are always other pathways to keep my career moving forward." In the broader context, the Solheim Cup is scheduled for September 11‑13, when Europe will face the United States in a three‑day match‑play showdown.
The competition is one of the most prestigious events in women’s golf, and for a young player like Tamburlini, earning a place would be a significant milestone and a springboard for future success. As the final rounds of the AIG Women’s Open unfold, fans of Tamburlini and European golf alike will be watching closely, hoping that the Swiss contender’s perseverance and emotional resolve will be rewarded with a spot on the European Solheim Cup team.