Angel Yin recently opened up about the health challenges that threatened to keep her off the Solheim Cup roster, emphasizing that she would never compromise Team USA's chances of securing an away victory in the Netherlands. Yin earned an automatic berth on captain Angela Stanford's squad by finishing high on the U.S.
Solheim Cup points list, as the United States aims to defend the trophy at Bernardus Golf and achieve its first overseas win over Europe since 2015. The 27‑year‑old has not completed a full 72‑hole tournament since May, and her only appearance on the LPGA Tour since June ended in a missed cut, where she fell 13 strokes short after returning from an undisclosed stomach ailment. The illness forced her to shed more than two and a half stone, casting serious doubt on her ability to compete at the elite level required for the Solheim Cup. Despite these setbacks, Yin expressed deep gratitude for the support she received from captain Stanford while deliberating her status for the event.
When pressed about the possibility of sitting out, Yin recalled her remarks at the pre‑tournament press conference: "Yes, of course. I know it sounds crazy that I'm here because I played a week ago in Boston and it obviously wasn't great. It wasn't ideal – those rounds of 81 and 76 are not the kind of scores you want to bring to a competition where you're supposed to help America bring home the Cup." She continued, "I've been working hard, I've been trying everything I can, because this is the biggest event in women's golf.
We know this is going to be a big deal, because this is the 20th Solheim Cup. I wanted to be honest, because I would never jeopardise America. I had honest talks with myself in the mirror, with my team, and obviously with Angela [Stanford]. She's the only other person – other than my family – that I've updated throughout all of this." Yin explained that the captain's confidence was decisive.
"We all agreed on this and she wanted me here. I had my caddie ask her, 'Do you want me here?' And if she had said no, I wouldn't be here. But she said yes. With belief like that and confidence from her to back me, why wouldn't I show up?" Her words underscored the trust between player and captain, a relationship that can be pivotal in high‑pressure team events.
Stanford reaffirmed her commitment to field Yin during the competition, despite the presence of former world No. 1 Lilia Vu – who contributed a crucial half‑point to the 2024 victory – as a potential last‑minute alternate.
Yin took advantage of an extra practice session on Wednesday, playing the front nine alone before joining the rest of the U.S. contingent on the back nine. The two‑time LPGA winner reported that her game was showing encouraging signs as the tournament approached. "I'm feeling great," Yin said.
"I guess everybody has different opinions, but I personally think my game is not bad. Every day it's getting better.
I guess it's like art, right? Everybody has a different opinion, but results are the only thing that matters." She added, "I can say and be confident as much as I want, but ultimately it's up to the captain, because she needs to be responsible for us.
I just need to do my part and then I just need to wait for her call. Whatever she does and whatever she says will, in my opinion, be the best decision because we trust her and she's been leading us great." In a practice match, Yin partnered with Yealimi Noh to defeat Alison Lee and Megan Khang, impressing Lee with her resilience despite limited recent competitive play.
"Angel is playing great golf," Lee remarked. "She's working hard, she's putting in the work, and she's probably the hardest working out here. She wants to make the reps, wants to put in the effort. She's obviously earned her spot here and she's doing her best to give her best, so there's nothing but great things to say about her." Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least 12 hours of live coverage across the first two days, beginning at 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday ahead of the opening foursomes tee‑off at 6:40 a.m. (7:40 a.m. local time). The afternoon four‑ball sessions are slated for 12:05 p.m.
(1:05 p.m. local), with coverage extending until the final putt falls. Sunday singles start at 9 a.m., with the opening tee shot at 10:10 a.m. Sky Sports+ will stream the closing ceremony from 5:30 p.m.
on Sunday, following the crowning of the Solheim Cup champions, while the opening ceremony on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. will unveil the first‑day pairings. Fans eager to see which side will claim the Solheim Cup can follow Team Europe's bid to retake the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days of action from September 11‑13 available on Sky Sports Golf. Additional viewing options include the latest Sky Sports deals or streaming without a contract via NOW.