The recent Solheim Cup contests have shown just how evenly matched Team Europe and Team USA have become, and there is little reason to believe this week’s showdown will break that pattern. Anna Nordqvist’s European squad is set to chase the trophy on familiar turf at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Two years ago, the Europeans suffered a 15.5‑12.5 defeat in Virginia, marking their first loss in the biennial event since 2017, and they are eager to reverse that outcome. While the Ryder Cup has often produced decisive margins in recent years—aside from the dramatic comeback by the United States at Bethpage Black in 2022—the Solheim Cup has tended to deliver nail‑biting finishes. In fact, the last three Solheim Cups held on European soil have yielded the three closest results in the competition’s history.
The 2015 and 2019 editions were decided by a single point, and the 2023 contest ended in an unprecedented 14‑14 tie. Each of those events offered its own brand of drama: a record‑setting singles comeback by the United States in 2015, followed by Suzann Pettersen’s clutch putt on the 18th green to give Europe a win at Gleneagles in 2019. Europe’s resilience was also on display in Spain, where after being swept in the opening Friday session, Pettersen’s team clawed back to the required 14 points and held onto the cup. The 2011 Dublin showdown was another tight affair, with Europe edging out a two‑point margin after a late injury withdrawal by Cristie Kerr in the singles.
Altogether, the last four Solheim Cups on the Atlantic side have been decided by a combined six points, underscoring just how fine the margins are. Looking ahead to this year’s line‑ups, the picture is equally balanced. Both teams feature players who are in strong form, occupy high spots on the world rankings, and bring considerable Solheim Cup experience. Predicting a clear favorite is therefore difficult.
Historically, Europe has often been cast as the underdog because the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings typically place more American players in the top tier. Yet this time around Europe actually boasts more players inside the world’s top ten than the United States.
Charley Hull is making her eighth consecutive appearance for Europe, while world No. 7 Lottie Woad, despite being a rookie on paper, has already captured two LPGA titles within her first year as a professional. Nordqvist herself can call upon five of the world’s top‑35 golfers, including 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 depth in its rankings as well, with nine players inside the top 50.
Their lowest‑ranked participant, rookie Lindy Duncan, sits at world No. 66, whereas five European players—four of them captain’s picks—rank below that threshold. Dame Laura Davies, a twelve‑time Solheim Cup veteran, summed up the situation on the Sky Sports Golf podcast: “I firmly believe it will come down to home advantage.
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—most of them play on the LPGA Tour—but I just think that home advantage makes such a difference.” Beyond the rankings, recent form offers further clues. While Jessica Korda has dominated the early LPGA season with four wins and never finishing lower than eighth in ten events, few other players from either side have added to their win tally in 2026. Lauren Coughlin’s victory at the Aramco Championship is the sole LPGA win by an American Solheim Cup participant this year, and on the European side 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, arrives with the confidence of having thrashed Korda 6&4 in the Sunday singles two years prior. She already holds 15 Solheim Cup match wins—more than any player under 30 in the event’s history—second only to Annika Sörenstam in winning‑percentage among frequent European representatives.
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, currently world No. 8, is expected to play a pivotal role in Europe’s bid to retain the cup.
"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 just with her personality. I can’t wait to see her tee it up." There was speculation earlier in the season about Nordqvist naming herself a captain’s pick after a solid summer, but she dismissed the idea and instead selected four younger players to round out her roster. A tied‑seventh finish at the Evian Championship sparked those rumors, as did subsequent top‑30 finishes, while veteran Georgia Hall missed the cut for the first time since 2015 and Madelene Sagström sat out due to childbirth.
The team also features Leona Maguire, the heroine of Europe’s 2021 victory on foreign soil, along with rising talents Julia Lopez Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes, all eager to prove themselves on the sport’s biggest stage. "We have some great power in there and I think we’re going to be really strong this year," Nordqvist said. "It’s going to be a big change, but also I feel like we have such a good core group of girls that will make the other players very comfortable and confident." Historically, Europe’s decision to include three rookies as captain’s picks—first in 2011 and again in 2021—has paid off with victories. Nordqvist hopes to complete a hat‑trick of wins by repeating that formula.
Who will ultimately lift the Solheim Cup? Catch Team Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days (September 11‑13) streamed on Sky Sports Golf. For the latest offers, check Sky Sports deals or watch without a contract on NOW.