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 captain Anna Nordqvist has added to the roster. Maguire, now 31, has already made a name for herself in the competition, having taken part in the last three editions of the event.
She burst onto the scene in 2021 as an unbeaten rookie, posting the highest individual point total for Europe during the team’s victorious match on American soil. She subsequently appeared in the 2023 and 2024 contests, adding further experience to her résumé. Maguire entered the selection process as the highest‑ranked European who had not qualified automatically through the points system. Her season on the LPGA Tour has been marked by three top‑10 finishes, demonstrating that she can compete at the very highest level.
However, she also missed the cut in four of the five major championships she entered this year, a shortfall that kept her out of the automatic qualification spots. Her strong world ranking and proven match‑play pedigree made her an obvious choice for Nordqvist’s discretionary picks.
When Nordqvist revealed her final team live on Sky Sports, Maguire was the sole player with prior Solheim Cup experience among the four captain’s picks. The other three newcomers were Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, and England’s Mimi Rhodes.
Each of these players earned a place based on a combination of world‑ranking position and recent performances on the Ladies European Tour (LET) or the LPGA Tour. "I’m thrilled to be back with Team Europe in September," Maguire said after the announcement.
"The Solheim Cup brings out the best in my game, and I love the camaraderie and intensity that comes with representing Europe." The announcement also confirmed that Team Europe will field four debutants this year, joining seasoned veterans such as Charley Hull, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, and other automatic qualifiers like Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, and Nanna Koerstz Madsen. The competition will be held at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11‑13, where the European side hopes to recapture the trophy after a disappointing loss in 2024.
Nordqvist praised Maguire’s track record, noting, "Leona has proved herself at the Solheim Cup. Her passion for the European team is evident, and her match‑play record speaks for itself. She’s exactly the kind of player you want when the pressure is on, and I’m delighted to have her on the squad." Mimi Rhodes, who secured her pick after winning three LET events last season, expressed the magnitude of the moment for her young career.
"Playing in the Solheim Cup has always been a dream of mine," she said. "Being selected for the 2026 edition is beyond anything I imagined.
I’m incredibly proud to wear the European colors so early in my professional journey." Julia Lopez Ramirez, a former world amateur No. 1, made her debut after a strong second season on the LPGA Tour, highlighted by a contention at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. Meanwhile, France’s Nastasia Nadaud earned her spot by capturing the season‑ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in 2025 and by being one of the highest‑ranked Europeans not already qualified. "It’s unbelievable!
If you had told me six months ago I’d be on the European Solheim Cup team, I wouldn’t have believed it," Nadaud exclaimed. "It’s a dream come true to represent Europe on such a prestigious stage." Speaking to Sky Sports News after finalising the roster, Nordqvist reflected on the blend of experience and youth she has assembled. "I couldn’t be prouder or more excited to lock in the team," she said. "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, fearlessness, and positivity will be a huge asset." The captain also addressed the strategic shift for this campaign. "We knew going into the year that the format and the competition would be a little different, and that can be a good thing," she added. "The way these girls play—so fearless and ready—gives us confidence that we can adapt and thrive." Team Europe’s qualification process 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 via the world rankings earned automatic spots.
Charley Hull topped the points list, securing her eighth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance, while Esther Henseleit edged out Chiara Tamburlini for the second automatic berth by a narrow 0.9‑point margin, thanks to a runner‑up finish at the season‑ending major. Henseleit shared her excitement: "I’m delighted to be part of the European team again. My last experience in the United States was fantastic, and I’m looking forward to competing on home soil.
With the event being close to Germany, I hope many fans will turn out to support us." England’s Lottie Woad will also debut, entering as the highest‑ranked European in the world rankings after a series of strong finishes on both the LET and the LPGA Tour since turning professional thirteen months ago. Sweden’s Maja Stark and Linn Grant return for their third straight Solheim Cups, adding further depth and familiarity to the lineup.
Across the Atlantic, Team USA’s qualification window ends after the CPKC Women’s Open in August. The United States will select its final squad through a combination of points‑based qualifiers and two world‑ranking picks, after which captain Angela Stanford will announce three captain’s selections later in the month. Fans eager to see which side will lift the Solheim Cup can catch every match live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13.
The tournament promises high‑stakes match play, national pride, and the chance for Europe to reclaim the coveted trophy on Dutch soil.