Anne Van Dam, the captain of Team Europe’s PING Junior Soliman Cup, is confident that her young squad has a strong chance of reclaiming the trophy from the United States at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. The Dutch venue will host the competition on September 7 and 8, and Van Dam insists her players will "fight to the last putt" in pursuit of the win. The event brings together twelve of Europe’s most talented junior golfers, all aged between 12 and 18, to face off against their American counterparts. It falls just three days before the senior Solheim Cup kicks off on September 11, with both tournaments being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
This year marks a historic first: the Junior Solheim Cup and the senior Solheim Cup will be contested on the same course in the same week, creating a unique atmosphere for players and fans alike. 2026 also sees a novel leadership arrangement. Van Dam will serve not only as the Junior Solheim Cup captain but also as a vice‑captain for the senior Solheim Cup team, working alongside Anna Nordqvist, who is the official captain for the senior side.
Van Dam’s former teammate from her own Junior Solheim Cup days, Bronte Law, will act as her vice‑captain, adding further experience to the European coaching staff. Across the Atlantic, Morgan Pressel leads Team USA. The American side enters the competition as the defending champions after a convincing victory at the Army‑Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, in 2024. Pressel’s squad is widely regarded as the favorite, but Van Dam remains optimistic, pointing to the fighting spirit and strong personalities of her players.
"My team are all fighters," Van Dam said. "They each have big personalities and a feisty attitude.
I know they will battle hard to the very last putt. That's a quality you either have or you don’t, and every player on our team possesses it." She added that Europe is currently trailing in the overall Junior Solheim Cup standings—8 wins for the United States, 4 for Europe, and one tie—but the last encounter on European soil in 2023 saw Europe triumph 15‑9 in Spain. Van Dam hopes her squad can close the gap and perhaps even overtake the Americans.
The selection process for Team Europe combined automatic qualifiers and captain’s picks. The top six European players in the PING Junior Solheim Cup rankings after the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship in August earned automatic spots.
Van Dam then exercised her captain’s discretion to add four more players, ensuring a balanced and competitive roster. Among the automatic qualifiers were Spain’s Marta Muñoz, who captured the R&A Girls’ Amateur title by defeating Adriana García Terol in a 36‑hole final, and Switzerland’s Lana Guyot, who reached the semifinals of the same championship. England’s Lauren Crump earned her place by winning the Annika Invitational Europe in Sweden, while compatriot Annabel Peaford was selected as a captain’s pick. Van Dam also chose Marta Muñoz as a captain’s pick after her impressive performance in the national championship, highlighting the depth of talent available to the European team.
The final European lineup featured a mix of seasoned junior competitors and rising stars eager to make their mark on an international stage. Team USA’s roster includes Asterisk Talley, a two‑time Junior Solheim Cup participant who topped the Rolex AJGA rankings and captured the U.S. Women’s Amateur title in August.
Amelie Zalsman has been in excellent form, posting top‑five finishes in every AGJA event she entered this season and finishing runner‑up at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. Anna Fang, who helped the United States win in 2024, has risen to 52nd in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings after a strong showing at the Rolex Tournament of Champions.
Both captains bring personal experience to the role. Van Dam and Law both played in the 2013 Junior Soliman Cup, giving them insight into the pressures their players face. On the American side, former Junior Soliman Cup alumni such as Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, and Alison Lee have gone on to successful professional careers, underscoring the event’s reputation as a launchpad for future stars.
The competition format mirrors that of the senior Solheim Cup. On Monday, September 7, six four‑ball matches and six foursomes matches will be contested.
The following day, September 8, will feature twelve singles matches, providing each player an opportunity to contribute directly to the team score. Beyond the on‑course action, the tournament offers a unique learning environment.
Van Dam emphasized how special it is for her players to compete on the same venue that will host the senior Solheim Cup just days later. "Playing on the same course as the Solheim Cup is groundbreaking for these youngsters," she noted. "They can see firsthand the level of professionalism and excitement that surrounds the senior event, and it will inspire them as they continue their development." The Junior Solheim Cup also serves as a showcase for the broader growth of women’s golf in Europe. The inclusion of players from Spain, England, Switzerland, and other nations reflects the increasing depth of talent across the continent.
The event’s partnership with PING and its broadcast on Sky Sports help raise the profile of junior women’s golf, encouraging more young athletes to pursue the sport. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with all three days of the senior Soliman Cup (September 11‑13) also available on the network. For those unable to watch on television, streaming options are offered through Sky Sports Golf without a long‑term contract, ensuring accessibility for a global audience.
In summary, while Team USA enters as the defending champion and the statistical favorite, Team Europe’s captain Anne Van Dam believes her squad’s determination, personality, and willingness to fight every putt will make the contest anything but predictable. With a blend of seasoned junior veterans and hungry newcomers, the 2026 PING Junior Soliman Cup promises high drama, intense competition, and the chance for Europe to close the historical gap and perhaps reclaim the trophy on home soil.