Anne Van Dam, the PING Junior Solheim Cup captain for Team Europe, is confident that her young contingent has a realistic shot at reclaiming the trophy from the United States at Bernardus Golf this week. The Dutch venue will host twelve of Europe’s most promising golfers, all aged between 12 and 18, as they line up against their American counterparts on September 7‑8. Van Dam insists her players will "fight to the last putt," a mindset she believes will be the difference between triumph and defeat. The Junior Solheim Cup arrives just three days before the senior Solheim Cup kicks off on September 11, with both events being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
This year marks a historic first: the junior and senior competitions will share the same course and the same week, giving the youngsters a rare glimpse of the atmosphere that surrounds the elite women’s team event. It also represents a novel dual‑role for Van Dam, who will serve simultaneously as a vice‑captain for the senior European squad under Anna Nordqvist. Her former teammate, Bronte Law, will act as Van Dam’s vice‑captain for the junior side, bringing additional experience and continuity to the leadership group.
Across the Atlantic, Morgan Pressel heads the U.S. team. Pressel’s side enters the contest as the defending champions, having captured the 2024 title at the Army‑Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.
The Americans are widely regarded as the favorites, but Van Dam remains upbeat about Europe’s chances despite the historical record of 8‑4‑1 in favor of the United States. "My team are all fighters," Van Dam told reporters. "They each have big personalities and a feisty attitude. I know they will battle hard right to the final putt.
That kind of grit isn’t something you can teach; you either have it or you don’t, and every player on this roster possesses it." She added that Europe currently trails in the overall points standings but hopes the junior event will help close the gap. "Europe is a little behind in the total rankings, and I would love for them to catch up," she said, underscoring the broader strategic importance of the junior competition as a pipeline for future Solheim Cup talent. The last time the two teams met on European soil, in 2023, Europe turned the tables with a convincing 15‑9 win in Spain.
That victory still resonates for Van Dam, who sees the upcoming match as an opportunity to repeat that success on home turf. "I’m excited for the next couple of days and to watch these players develop throughout their careers. There are a lot of future superstars on this team," she noted. Playing at the same venue as the senior Solheim Cup is, according to Van Dam, a "groundbreaking" experience for the juniors.
The chance to walk the same fairways, stand on the same greens, and feel the same crowd energy provides an invaluable learning environment. "From the moment I started talking to my players, I could tell how eager they are to soak up everything they can from me and Bronte," she said.
Team selection for Europe combined automatic qualifiers with captain’s picks. The top six European players in the PING Junior Solheim Cup rankings after the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship earned spots on the squad.
Van Dam used her discretion to add three additional players, including Spain’s Marta Muñoz, who captured the R&A Girls’ Amateur title by defeating Adriana García Terol in a 36‑hole final. García Terol also secured a place via the rankings, as did Switzerland’s Lana Guyot, a semi‑finalist at the same amateur championship.
England contributed two players: Lauren Crump, who triumphed at the Annika Invitational Europe in Sweden, qualified automatically, while Annabel Peaford received a captain’s pick. The European roster blends rising stars with seasoned junior veterans, many of whom have already tasted Solheim Cup action at the junior level. The United States field is equally impressive. Asterisk Talley, a two‑time Junior Solheim Cup participant, leads the team after topping the Rolex AJGA rankings and winning the U.S.
Women’s Amateur in August. Amelie Zalsman has been in fine form, posting top‑five finishes in all her AGJA events and finishing runner‑up at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. Anna Fang, who helped the U.S.
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 sides feature players who have already competed in senior Solheim Cups. For the United States, Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, and Alison Lee all have senior experience. Europe’s roster includes Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, and future Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist, all of whom have previously represented Europe in the junior competition.
The format mirrors the senior event: on Monday, September 7, there will be six four‑ball matches and six foursomes matches, followed by twelve singles matches on Tuesday, September 8. The cumulative points will decide which side lifts the Junior Solheim Cup.
Beyond the immediate competition, the event serves as a showcase for the next generation of women’s golf talent. The exposure on Sky Sports, the chance to compete on a world‑class course, and the mentorship from former players turned captains all contribute to a developmental platform that aims to sustain Europe’s competitiveness in the senior Solheim Cup for years to come.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with all three days of the senior Solheim Cup (September 11‑13) also broadcast on the network. For those looking to experience the course themselves, Sky Sports offers streaming options and a catalogue of golf courses across the UK and Ireland, with over 1,700 venues available for booking.
In summary, while Team USA enters as the defending champion and statistical favorite, Anne Van Dam’s belief in her squad’s fighting spirit, combined with the unique experience of playing on the same grounds as the senior Solheim Cup, sets the stage for a compelling showdown. Europe’s young golfers are ready to fight every shot, every putt, and every moment, hoping to add another chapter to the Junior Solheim Cup’s growing legacy.