Mimi Rhodes is thrilled to be living out a lifelong ambition as she steps onto the Solheim Cup stage for the first time, and she is fully behind Anna Nordqvist as the captain who will steer Team Europe toward victory on Dutch soil. Rhodes earned her place on the European squad this week at Bernardus Golf after being selected as one of Nordqvist’s captain’s picks last month.
The host nation is eager to reclaim the cup after a 2024 loss to the United States, and Rhodes hopes her presence will add fresh energy to the campaign. The English golfer enjoyed a distinguished amateur career before bursting onto the Ladies European Tour (LET) scene with three victories in her rookie season last year.
Building on that momentum, she entered her inaugural LPGA Tour season with the singular goal of representing Europe in the Solheim Cup—a dream she has nurtured since she first picked up a club. "This is what I’ve been working toward for the past twelve years, ever since I started playing professionally," Rhodes told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview. "I grew up watching the Solheim Cup on television at my grandparents’ house, surrounded by family who love team sports.
Those memories are vivid; the excitement of a competition that only comes around every two years is something you can’t fully describe. "Representing Europe has always been the number‑one thing on my wish list—more important than any major championship.
To finally be on the roster feels surreal, like a childhood fantasy turned into reality." Rhodes began the year with a string of top‑ten finishes, but she later feared she might miss out on a captain’s pick after a difficult stretch in which she missed the cut in seven of eight tournaments from April through July. A strong finish to the qualification period, 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 of her 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 chased something for so long and it finally happens, you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this really happening?’ The months leading up to it were stressful; I didn’t know what to expect when she rang. I had been bracing for disappointment, so the relief and joy when she told me I was in were overwhelming. "I just want to make Captain Nordqvist proud and I can’t wait to get out there and play." Rhodes’ connection to the Solheim Cup runs deep.
In 2019 she participated in the PING Junior Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, and she later watched the senior event from inside the ropes as Suzann Pettersen clinched a dramatic 14.5‑13.5 win for Europe. "That memory stands out," she said. "We were invited to a little celebration after the match, which was incredible.
Watching the competition up close made me think, ‘I want to work hard enough to earn a spot on that team.’ Representing your continent is the pinnacle of achievement in women’s golf." The last three Solheim Cups held in Europe have produced the tightest finishes in the tournament’s history. Both 2015 and 2019 were decided by a single point, and the 2023 edition ended in a 14‑14 tie, underscoring how evenly matched the sides can be. Rhodes is confident that Europe can once again tip the scales in its favour.
"On paper, the strength of the U.S. team doesn’t matter as much as the belief we bring," she explained. "When I was at practice, the atmosphere was positive and we were having a lot of fun.
That energy can be intimidating for the opposition. "Anna is an exceptional captain. I felt her leadership right away during practice—she’s calm, decisive, and knows how to get the best out of each player. She’ll keep us focused while also letting us enjoy the experience.
Knowing she’s proud of us already takes some pressure off, but she will also hold us accountable. "Our goal is simple: make Anna proud and bring the cup home." Fans eager to see whether Europe can recapture the trophy can tune in to Sky Sports for live coverage of all three days of competition, scheduled for September 11‑13.
The broadcast will feature in‑depth analysis, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes access to the European camp, giving viewers a front‑row seat to the drama as it unfolds. For those without a traditional subscription, Sky Sports’ NOW streaming service offers a contract‑free option to follow the action. As the tournament approaches, Rhodes continues to fine‑tune her game, focusing on consistency, course management, and the mental resilience needed for match‑play pressure. She acknowledges that the Solheim Cup is a unique environment where individual talent merges with team strategy, and she is eager to contribute her strengths—particularly her iron play and short‑game finesse—to the European effort.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Rhodes will join her teammates for practice rounds, team‑building activities, and strategy sessions with the coaching staff. These sessions are designed to foster camaraderie and ensure that every player understands their role, whether they are slated for singles matches, foursomes, or four‑ball formats. The excitement surrounding Rhodes’ debut is palpable not only among her teammates but also within the broader European golf community.
Young players look up to her as an example of how perseverance and dedication can translate into a place on the sport’s biggest team stage. Ultimately, Rhodes’ journey—from a passionate youngster watching the Solheim Cup on a family television to a newly minted team member—embodies the spirit of the competition itself: a celebration of talent, teamwork, and continental pride.
Whether Europe lifts the cup this year or not, Rhodes’ story adds another inspiring chapter to the tournament’s rich legacy.