One Month Away from the Solheim Cup: Who Makes Team Europe?

Team Europe is gearing up to reclaim the Solheim Cup on home soil in the Netherlands this September, with the competition set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Captain Anna Nordqvist has assembled a squad that blends seasoned veterans with a wave of promising newcomers, aiming to turn the tide against Team USA. The European contingent will feature eight former Solheim Cup participants, complemented by four rookies, among them world No. 5 Lottie Woad, who will round out the lineup at Bernardus Golf from September 11‑13.

The qualification process wrapped up after the AIG Women’s Open on August 2, when Esther Henseleit’s runner‑up finish secured her a spot alongside Charley Hull via the LET Solheim Cup points list. The remaining six places were filled based on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, with Woad, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen earning automatic entry. Nordqvist then announced her four captain’s picks the following day, adding Ireland’s Leona Maguire for a fourth straight appearance and debutants Julia López Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes to round out the squad. Below is a detailed look at each European player, how they qualified, and what they bring to the team.

**Charley Hull** – Hull entered the Solheim Cup picture by winning twice during the qualification window, including a victory at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in February. She later posted a tied‑second finish at the U.S.

Women’s Open and a tied‑sixth at the AIG Women’s Open. Hull’s experience and fierce competitiveness make her a key leader for Europe, especially after she delivered a 6&4 win over Nelly Korda in the 2024 Solheim Cup. **Esther Henseleit** – Henseleit secured her place by finishing fourth at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and then forcing a playoff with a dramatic final‑hole birdie at the AIG Women’s Open, which earned her the second automatic spot on the LET points list. She debuted at the 2024 Solheim Cup, tying with Andrea Lee in the final‑day singles after a mixed performance in the foursomes.

**Lottie Woad** – The 22‑year‑old Swede is already the highest‑ranked European on the world stage after capturing two LPGA Tour titles in her rookie season. She won the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open last July and followed that with a victory at the Kroger Queen City Championship in May.

Although she narrowly lost a playoff to Miyu Yamashita at the Meijer LPGA Classic, she continued her strong form with a third consecutive top‑10 finish at the AIG Women’s Open. Woad’s rapid rise and Curtis Cup success suggest she could be a decisive factor for Europe. **Maja Stark** – Stark returns for her third Solheim Cup after a breakout debut in 2023, where she defeated then U.S.

Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz in the singles to help Europe retain the trophy. In 2024 she partnered with Emily Kristine Pedersen for three sessions and contributed valuable points throughout the contest. Stark’s consistent play and ability to perform under pressure make her a reliable asset. **Linn Grant** – Grant earned her spot through the world rankings and has already demonstrated her match‑play prowess, forming an unbeaten four‑ball partnership with Ciganda in 2023 and leading Europe in the singles that year.

Although she struggled in 2024, missing points in four matches, her experience and recent form on the LPGA Tour could see her bounce back. **Celine Boutier** – Boutier, a former major champion, secured her place via the rankings after a solid season that included a win at the Shoprite LPGA Classic in May. She contributed crucial points in past Solheim Cups, notably winning all four matches alongside Georgia Hall in 2019 and delivering a key singles point in 2021.

Boutier’s steady play and familiarity with the pressure of team competition are invaluable. **Carlota Ciganda** – A stalwart of the European side since her debut in 2013, Ciganda has amassed seven Solheim Cup appearances. She posted a perfect 4‑0 record in 2023, including a singles victory over Nelly Korda, helping Europe retain the cup.

Although her 2025 season has been uneven, her wealth of experience and leadership qualities remain crucial. **Nanna Koerstz Madsen** – After a five‑year hiatus, Madsen returns to the Solheim Cup, having claimed a decisive four‑ball win with Ciganda in 2021 and a singles tie against Austin Ernst in the historic 2021 away victory. She secured her spot through the world rankings after Henseleit’s qualification opened a captain’s pick. **Leona Maguire** – Maguire was selected as a captain’s pick for a fourth consecutive Solheim Cup after an inconsistent LPGA season that featured a runner‑up finish at the Aramco Championship and a tied‑eighth at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open.

She was the top‑scoring rookie in Europe’s 2021 triumph and played every session in the 2023 edition, though she saw limited action in 2024. **Julia López Ramírez** – The Spanish rookie earned her debut spot after a solid season that included multiple top‑25 finishes on the LPGA Tour and a cut at the AIG Women’s Open. Her powerful game and fresh perspective could add depth to Europe’s lineup. **Nastasia Nadaud** – The Frenchwoman captured the LET’s season‑ending Andalucía Costa Del Sol Open de España in November and recorded two runner‑up finishes earlier in the year.

She has made the cut in all five majors this season and is on the cusp of qualifying for the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship. Captain Nordqvist praised her continual improvement, and her consistency across majors makes her a promising addition.

**Mimi Rhodes** – Rhodes burst onto the scene by winning the LET’s Rookie of the Year award after claiming three titles in a breakout year: the Ford Women’s New South Wales Open, the Joburg Ladies Open, and the Dutch Ladies Open. With Curtis Cup experience and a mixed debut season on the LPGA Tour, she now has the opportunity to represent Europe on the biggest stage. All eyes will be on these players as they vie to bring the Solheim Cup back to Europe.

The competition will run from September 11‑13, with every match streamed live on Sky Sports Golf. Whether you are a die‑hard fan or a casual viewer, the upcoming showdown promises high‑drama, world‑class golf, and the chance for Europe to reclaim the coveted trophy.