Leona Maguire has secured a spot among Team Europe’s captain’s picks for the upcoming Solheim Cup, with veteran captain Anna Nordqvist also adding three fresh faces to the roster. Maguire, now 31, has been a familiar presence at the biennial competition, having made a striking debut in 2021 when she went unbeaten and topped the scoring charts as Europe triumphed over the United States on American soil. She subsequently featured in both the 2023 and 2024 editions, reinforcing her reputation as a dependable match‑play performer. Despite a solid season on the LPGA Tour that yielded three top‑10 finishes, Maguire fell short of automatic qualification, finishing as the highest‑ranked European on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who did not earn a spot outright.
Her major‑championship record this year was mixed – she missed the cut in four of the five majors, a factor that likely kept her out of the automatic pool. During the live announcement on Sky Sports, Maguire was the sole player with prior Solheim Cup experience among Nordqvist’s four picks. The other three selections were Spain’s rising talent Julia Lopez Ramirez, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, and England’s promising newcomer Mimi Rhodes.
"I’m thrilled to be back with Team Europe in September," Maguire said. "The Solheim Cup brings out the best in my game, and I love the camaraderie and intensity of team competition." The final European lineup now features four debutants who will travel to Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands for the September 11‑13 showdown against captain Angela Stanford’s United States squad. Europe will be eager to reclaim the trophy after a disappointing 2024 defeat. Nordqvist praised Maguire’s track record, noting, "Leona has proven herself under the pressure of Solheim Cup match play.
Her passion for Europe is evident, and her record speaks for itself. She’s exactly the kind of player you want in a team environment." The three other picks also bring compelling stories. Lopez Ramirez, a former world amateur No.
1, earned her place by being the next highest‑ranked European after the automatic qualifiers. She impressed during her second LPGA season, notably contending at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. Nadaud secured her spot by winning the season‑ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in 2025 and was the next eligible player on the world rankings.
Rhodes earned her invitation after a breakout season on the Ladies European Tour, where she claimed three victories, making her a strong candidate despite her relative inexperience at the Solheim Cup. "Playing in the Solheim Cup has always been a dream of mine," Rhodes said after the announcement. "Being selected for the 2026 event is beyond anything I imagined.
I’m proud to represent Europe so early in my career." Nadaud echoed that sentiment, adding, "If someone had told me six months ago I’d be on the European team, I wouldn’t have believed it. It feels like a dream come true to wear the Solheim Cup colors." Nordqvist, speaking to Sky Sports News after finalising the team, highlighted the blend of experience and youth: "I’m extremely proud and excited to lock in the roster.
We have a solid mix of seasoned players and four rookies – the most in recent years – but these newcomers are playing beyond their years. Their attitude and positivity will be vital." She continued, "We knew the year would be a little different, but change can be beneficial. These girls are fearless, they show up ready, and they bring a fresh energy that could be decisive." The European qualification process concluded after the AIG Women’s Open, where the top two finishers on the Ladies European Tour Solheim Cup points list and the next six highest‑ranked players in the world secured automatic spots. Charley Hull topped the LET points list, earning her eighth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance, while Esther Henseleit edged out Chiara Tamburlini for the second automatic berth by a slim 0.9‑point margin, thanks to a runner‑up finish at the season‑ending major.
Henseleit expressed her enthusiasm: "I’m delighted to be back on the European team. My last experience in the United States was fantastic, and I’m looking forward to competing on home soil.
With the venue so close to Germany, I hope many fans will turn out to support us." Other automatic qualifiers include England’s Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked European in the world rankings, who has collected victories on both the LET and LPGA Tour since turning professional 13 months ago. 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 earned spots through the points and ranking criteria. On the American side, the United States will finalize its roster after the CPKC Women’s Open (August 20‑23).
The top seven players on the U.S. Solheim Cup points list and the next two highest‑ranked worldwide will qualify automatically, after which captain Angela Stanford will announce three captain’s picks later in the month.
Fans eager to see whether Europe can recapture the cup can watch all three days of action live on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available without a contract. The competition promises high‑stakes match play, national pride, and the chance for newcomers to make a lasting impression on one of women’s golf’s biggest stages.