The gap between Team Europe and Team USA has been razor‑thin in recent Solheim Cups, and there is little to suggest that this weekend’s showdown will break that pattern. Anna Nordqvist’s European side is set to chase the trophy on familiar ground at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Two years ago, Europe fell 15.5‑12.5 to the United States in Virginia – their first loss in the biennial event since 2017 – and they are now eager to reverse that outcome on home soil. Unlike the Ryder Cup, which has often produced lopsided scores in the last few editions (aside from the dramatic comeback by Team USA at Bethpage Black last year), the Solheim Cup has consistently delivered nail‑biting finishes.
The most recent three Solheim Cups held in Europe have produced the three closest margins in the competition’s history. In 2015 and 2019 each contest was decided by a single point, and the 2023 edition ended in an unprecedented 14‑14 tie. Each of those tournaments offered its own brand of drama.
In 2015, Team USA staged a record‑breaking singles rally to clinch the Cup, while in 2019 Suzann Pettersen sank the decisive putt on the 18th green to hand Europe a victory at Gleneagles. The Spanish edition in 2021 added another thrilling chapter: after being swept in the opening Friday session, Pettersen’s squad clawed back, winning the required 14 points in the singles matches to retain the Cup.
Even earlier, the 2011 Dublin event was decided by a narrow two‑point margin after Cristie Kerr withdrew from the singles due to injury. Across those four contests on European soil, the combined winning margin has been a mere six points. This year’s line‑ups are remarkably similar in terms of current form, world rankings, and Solheim Cup experience, making any prediction about the eventual champion especially difficult.
The Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings still show a larger contingent of American players in the upper echelons, which often casts Europe as the underdog. Nevertheless, Europe now boasts more players inside the world’s top ten than the United States, a shift that could prove decisive. Charley Hull is making her eighth straight appearance for Europe, while world No.
7 Lottie Woad, though technically a rookie, has already captured two LPGA titles in just over a year as a professional. Nordqvist can also call upon five of the world’s top‑35 golfers: Esther Henseleit surged after a runner‑up finish at the AIG Women’s Open, and both Maja Stark and Celine Boutier are regular contenders on the LPGA Tour.
Team USA, on the other hand, enjoys depth with nine players inside the top‑50. Their lowest‑ranked participant, rookie Lindy Duncan, sits at world No. 66, whereas Europe has five players – including all four captain’s picks – ranked outside the top‑50. This disparity in ranking depth adds another layer of intrigue to the contest.
"I firmly believe it will come down to home advantage," veteran Solheim Cup stalwart Dame Laura Davies told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. "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 a huge difference." The early season has been dominated by Nelly Korda, who won four of her first ten LPGA events and never finished lower than eighth.
Apart from Korda, few players from either side have claimed victories on the LPGA Tour in 2026. Lauren Coughlin’s triumph at the Aramco Championship is the sole win by an American Solheim Cup participant this year, while Boutier and Woad are the only Europeans to have secured a victory in the United States so far. Hull, who captured the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour in February, entered the Cup with the confidence of a seasoned competitor. She famously defeated Korda 6&4 in the Sunday singles two years earlier, and she now holds a record 15 Solheim Cup match wins – the most by any player under the age of 30.
Only Annika Sörenstam has a higher winning‑points percentage among Europeans with comparable experience. Davies urged Hull to "step up and lead" Europe again, citing her powerful tee shots, relaxed demeanor, and extensive Cup experience.
Nordqvist echoed this sentiment, noting that Hull, currently world No. 8, is expected to play a pivotal role in Europe’s bid to retain the trophy. "You just have to let Charley be Charley," Nordqvist told Sky Sports. "It was wonderful to see how much she enjoys the Solheim Cup – she lights up the team room with her personality.
I can’t wait to see her tee it up." There was some speculation earlier in the season about whether Nordqvist might name herself a captain’s pick, given her strong summer performances. She dismissed the idea and instead selected four younger players to round out the roster. A tied‑seventh finish at the Evian Championship sparked those discussions, as did top‑30 finishes in her next two events, while Georgia Hall missed qualification for the first time since 2015 and Madelene Sagström sat out due to childbirth. The squad also features seasoned veterans like Leona Maguire, the hero of Europe’s 2021 victory on foreign soil, and rising talents such as Julia Lopez Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes, all eager to test themselves on the sport’s biggest stage.
"We have great power in the team and I think we’ll be very strong this year," Nordqvist said. "It will be a big change, but we have such a solid core group that will make the other players feel comfortable and confident." Historically, Europe’s decisions to include three rookies as captain’s picks – in 2011 and 2021 – have resulted in victories. Nordqvist hopes to add a third such success to that pattern, completing a hat‑trick of wins with a home‑field advantage.
Who will ultimately lift the Solheim Cup? Fans can watch Team Europe’s pursuit of the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days of action streamed from September 11‑13 on Sky Sports Golf.
Viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports offers or stream without a contract via NOW.