Mimi Rhodes can hardly contain her excitement as she prepares to live out a childhood ambition at this year’s Solheim Cup, and she is firmly backing Anna Nordqvist to guide Team Europe to a victorious finish on Dutch soil. Rhodes will step onto the fairways of Bernardus Golf for her inaugural Solheim Cup appearance with Team Europe this week, having earned a coveted captain’s pick from Nordqvist last month. The European side is eager to reclaim the trophy after a 2024 loss to the United States.
The English golfer enjoyed a distinguished amateur career before bursting onto the professional scene with three victories during her rookie season on the Ladies European Tour last year. Now, after a promising first campaign on the LPGA Tour, she is focused on ticking off the ultimate personal milestone: representing Europe in the sport’s most prestigious team event. "This is the goal I've been working toward for the past twelve years, ever since I first picked up a club," Rhodes told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview.
"You see it on television, you wait two years for it, and I have countless memories of watching it at my grandparents’ house with my family. We all love team sport, and team golf has a special place in our hearts." She went on to describe the emotional weight of the moment: "It’s a massive week that only comes around once every two years, and it’s almost impossible to put into words how surreal it feels to actually be playing in it.
This has been the number‑one thing I’ve dreamed of since turning professional—more than any major win. I’ve simply wanted to wear the European colors." Rhodes began the season with back‑to‑back top‑ten finishes, but a string of missed cuts—seven missed cuts in eight tournaments between April and July—had her fearing she might not secure a captain’s pick. A late surge in the qualification race, highlighted by making the cut at both the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open, helped her stay in contention while many rivals faltered.
She learned of her selection only after Nordqvist called her following the season‑ending women’s major. "That phone call was absolutely surreal," Rhodes recalled. "When you’ve wanted something so badly and it finally happens, you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this really real?’ The weeks leading up to it were incredibly stressful. I didn’t know what to expect when the call came—I was bracing for the worst and had already started to accept that I might miss out." She added, "I would have been devastated to be left out, but hearing that Anna chose me was pure joy.
I want to make her proud, and I can’t wait to get out there and compete." Rhodes’s connection to the Solheim Cup goes back to 2019, when she participated in the PING Junior Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. She later watched the senior event from inside the ropes as Suzann Pettersen clinched a dramatic 14.5‑13.5 victory for Europe.
"That memory is still vivid," she said. "They threw a little party and invited us in— it was incredible.
Watching from that close, I thought, ‘I want to work hard enough to earn a spot on that team and represent Europe.’ Representing your continent is the pinnacle of achievement in women’s golf." The last three Solheim Cups held on European soil have produced the tightest finishes in the competition’s history: 2015 and 2019 were decided by a single point, and the 2023 edition ended in a 14‑14 tie. Rhodes is confident that Europe can once again emerge triumphant and lift the cup.
"On paper, the strength of the U.S. team doesn’t matter as much as the belief we have," Rhodes asserted. "During practice I sensed a great vibe among us, and I think that confidence will be intimidating for the opposition." She praised Nordqvist’s leadership, noting, "Anna exudes confidence and is a fantastic captain.
Her presence at practice gave us a clear sense that she will steer us in the right direction and keep the energy positive. She’ll be proud of us regardless, which eases some pressure, but she’ll also keep us disciplined.
Her words resonate, and we’re excited to look up to her as our leader." Rhodes summed up the team’s mission succinctly: "We’re going to make her proud and bring the cup home." Fans eager to see whether Europe can reclaim the Solheim Cup can catch all three days of action live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13. For those without a contract, streaming options are available via NOW, alongside the latest Sky Sports deals.