Anne Van Dam, the PING Junior Solheim Cup captain for Team Europe, is confident that her young squad has a realistic chance of reclaiming the trophy from the United States at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Van Dam says her players will "fight to the last putt" and leave nothing on the table in pursuit of the win.
The competition brings together twelve of Europe’s top junior golfers, aged between 12 and 18, who will face off against their American counterparts on September 7 and 8. This junior event is scheduled just three days before the senior Solheim Cup, which kicks off on September 11 and will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports. For the first time, both the PING Junior Soliman Cup and the main Solheim Cup will share the same venue and the same week, creating a unique atmosphere for players and fans alike. The 2026 edition is historic in another way: it marks the inaugural occasion where the junior team’s captain also serves as a vice‑captain for the senior Solheim Cup.
Van Dam will sit alongside Anna Nordqvist, who has been appointed as one of the vice‑captains for the senior European side. Adding further depth to the leadership team, Van Dam’s former junior teammate Bronte Law will act as her vice‑captain for the junior squad.
Team USA will be led by former LPGA star Morgan Pressel, who entered the tournament as the favorite after guiding the Americans to a victory at the Army‑Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, in 2024. Pressel’s side will be looking to defend their title and extend the United States’ overall lead in the competition’s history, which currently stands at eight wins, four losses and one tie. Despite the Americans’ strong record, Van Dam remains upbeat about Europe’s prospects.
"My team are all fighters," she said. "They each have big personalities and a feisty attitude.
I know they will battle hard right up to the final putt. That kind of grit is something you either have or you don’t, and every player on our roster possesses it." She added that Europe is currently trailing in the overall points tally but hopes the young golfers can close the gap. "I’m excited to see them give everything they have.
Europe may be a little behind in the standings, but I would love to see us catch up," Van Dam explained. The last time the junior teams met on European soil, in 2023 at a course in Spain, Europe turned the tables and won decisively, 15‑9. That victory still resonates, and Van Dam hopes to build on that momentum. "I’m thrilled for the next couple of days and to watch these players develop throughout their careers," she said.
"There are a lot of future stars in this group. From the moment I started talking to them, I could tell they are eager to learn from me and from Bronte. Playing on the same venue as the Solheim Cup is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience for them." Selection for Team Europe was based on a combination of automatic qualifications and captain’s picks.
The top six European juniors in the PING Junior Solheim Cup rankings after the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship in August earned automatic spots. Van Dam then exercised her discretion to add six additional players. Among the automatic qualifiers were Spain’s Marta Muñoz, who earned her place by winning the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship, defeating compatriot Adriana García Terol in a 36‑hole final.
García Terol also qualified via the rankings, as did Switzerland’s Lana Guyot, who reached the semi‑finals of the same amateur event. England’s Lauren Crump secured her berth by triumphing at the Annika Invitational Europe in Sweden, while her teammate Annabel Peaford was chosen as a captain’s pick. Van Dam’s captain’s selections also featured Marta Muñoz, who she praised for her composure under pressure, and Annabel Peaford, recognized for her steady play and strong work ethic. The final roster blends seasoned junior competitors with rising talents who have shown promise in recent national and international tournaments.
Team USA’s lineup includes Asterisk Talley, a two‑time junior participant who currently tops the Rolex AJGA rankings and captured the US Women’s Amateur Championship in August. Amelie Zalsman, another American star, has posted consistent top‑five finishes on the AGJA circuit and was runner‑up at the US Girls’ Junior Championship in July. Anna Fang, who helped the United States win the 2024 junior cup, has climbed to 52nd in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings after a strong showing at the Rolex Tournament of Champions. Both captains bring a wealth of experience from previous junior cups.
Van Dam and Law both played in the 2013 PING Junior Solheim Cup, giving them insight into the pressures young players face. On the American side, former participants such as Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson and Alison Lee have all gone on to successful professional careers, underscoring the event’s role as a pipeline for future stars.
The competition format mirrors that of the senior Solheim Cup. On Monday, September 7, six four‑ball matches and six foursomes matches will be contested, followed by twelve singles matches on Tuesday, September 8. The team with the most points after the twelve singles will lift the junior trophy.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with comprehensive coverage scheduled for the senior Solheim Cup from September 11‑13. The junior event offers a preview of the talent that may soon populate the senior teams, making it a must‑watch for anyone interested in the future of women’s golf. In addition to the on‑course drama, the tournament provides a unique opportunity for the young athletes to experience a world‑class venue, interact with senior players, and absorb the atmosphere of a major international competition.
For many, stepping onto the same fairways that will host the senior Solheim Cup later in the week is a milestone moment that will shape their development and aspirations. With the blend of seasoned junior veterans, fresh faces, and a captain who believes in fighting every shot, Team Europe is poised to give Team USA a formidable challenge. Whether the final score reflects a narrow margin or a decisive swing, the event promises high‑quality golf, spirited competition, and a glimpse of the next generation of European talent ready to carry the Solheim Cup legacy forward.