The recent history of the Solheim Cup has shown just how evenly matched Team Europe and Team USA have become, and there is little reason to expect this weekend’s showdown to break that pattern. Anna Nordqvist’s European squad is set to chase the trophy on familiar ground at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, with the event being broadcast live on Sky Sports. Two years ago, the Europeans suffered a 15.5‑12.5 defeat in Virginia – their first loss in the biennial competition since 2017 – and they will be eager to reverse that result in front of a home crowd.
Unlike the Ryder Cup, where recent editions have often produced large margins of victory (aside from the dramatic comeback by the United States at Bethpage Black last year), the Solheim Cup has tended to deliver nail‑biting finishes. The last three Solheim Cups staged in Europe are the three closest contests in the tournament’s history. In 2015 and 2019 the matches were decided by a single point, and the 2023 edition ended in a historic 14‑14 tie.
Each of those events offered its own brand of drama: the United States staged a record‑setting singles rally to clinch the 2015 title, while Suzann Pettersen sank a decisive putt on the 18th green to give Europe a memorable win at Gleneagles in 2019. Europe’s resilience was also on full display in Spain, where Pettersen’s side rebounded from a disastrous Friday opening session and clawed their way back in the singles to reach the 14‑point threshold needed to retain the cup. In Dublin 2011, Europe’s margin was a razor‑thin two points, a result that was heavily influenced by Cristie Kerr’s withdrawal due to injury during the singles matches. Overall, the last four Solheim Cups contested on European soil have produced a combined winning differential of only six points, underscoring just how tightly contested the event has become.
When you compare the two line‑ups for this year, the picture is equally balanced. Both teams feature players who are in good form, sit high in the world rankings, and possess valuable Solheim Cup experience.
Predicting a clear favourite is therefore a challenge. Traditionally, Europe has often been cast as the underdog because the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings usually place more Americans in the top‑tier positions.
However, this year Europe actually boasts more players inside the top ten than the United States, narrowing the perceived gap. Charley Hull is making her eighth consecutive appearance for Europe, while world No.
7 Lottie Woad, despite being a rookie in terms of Solheim Cup experience, has already captured two LPGA Tour victories in just over a year as a professional. Nordqvist can also call upon five of the world’s top‑35 players: Esther Henseleit, who surged after a runner‑up finish at the AIG Women’s Open, and both Maja Stark and Celine Boutier, who are regular contenders on the LPGA Tour. Team USA, on the other hand, enjoys considerable depth in the rankings, with nine players inside the top‑50.
Their lowest‑ranked participant, rookie Lindy Duncan, sits at No. 66.
By contrast, five European players – including all four of the captain’s picks – are ranked outside the top‑50, which could be a factor if the competition comes down to pure ranking strength. Dame Laura Davies, a twelve‑time Solheim Cup veteran, emphasized the importance of playing at home during a Sky Sports Golf podcast. "I firmly believe it will come down to home advantage," she said.
"It’s going to be a very loud week with our girls playing in front of a huge audience. On paper, the Americans will probably be favourites because they always are – they all play on the LPGA Tour – but I think home advantage makes such a difference." Beyond the rankings, recent form is worth noting.
While Jessica Korda has had a spectacular start to the LPGA season – winning four events and never finishing lower than eighth over ten tournaments – few other players from either side have added to their winner’s circles in 2026. Lauren Coughlin’s triumph at the Aramco Championship is the sole other LPGA victory by an American Solheim Cup participant this year.
From Europe, only Boutier and Woad have managed to win on U.S. soil. Hull, who captured the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour in February, entered the competition with the confidence of a seasoned Solheim Cup stalwart. She famously defeated Korda 6&4 in the Sunday singles two years ago, and she now holds a record 15 Solheim Cup match wins – the most by any player before turning 30.
Only Annika Sörenstam has a higher winning‑points percentage among Europeans with comparable experience. Davies has urged Hull to "step up and lead" Europe again, citing her power off the tee and relaxed demeanor. Nordqvist echoed this sentiment, noting that Hull’s presence lifts the team spirit.
"You’ve just got to let Charley be Charley," Nordqvist told Sky Sports. "It was really nice to see how much she enjoyed the Solheim Cup last time – she lights up the team room just with her personality. I can’t wait to see her tee it up." There was speculation earlier in the season about whether Nordqvist might name herself as a captain’s pick, given her strong summer performances.
She dismissed the idea, opting instead to select four younger players to round out her roster. A tied‑seventh finish at the Evian Championship, followed by two top‑30 finishes, sparked the conversation, but the Swede ultimately stuck with her original plan. The roster also includes Leona Maguire, the heroine of Europe’s 2021 victory on foreign soil, as well as rising talents such as Julia Lopez Ramirez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes, all of whom will get a chance to test themselves on the sport’s biggest stage. Nordqvist expressed confidence in the group’s overall power: "We’ve got some great power in there and I think we’re going to be really strong this year.
It’s going to be a big change, but also I feel like we have such a good core group of girls that’s going to make the other players very comfortable and confident." Historically, Europe’s decision to include three rookies as captain’s picks – a strategy used in 2011 and again in 2021 – has paid dividends with victories on both occasions. Nordqvist hopes to complete a hat‑trick of wins by repeating that formula this time around.
So, who will lift the Solheim Cup this year? Fans can follow Team Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days of action (September 11‑13) streamed on Sky Sports Golf. Viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports subscription offers or watch without a contract via NOW. The stage is set, the crowds are ready, and the home advantage may just be the decisive factor in what promises to be another tightly contested Solheim Cup.