Team USA arrives in the Netherlands with a clear mission: to shake off the sting of recent near‑misses in overseas Solheim Cups and to hold onto the trophy they captured two years ago on foreign soil. The American squad, led by captain Angela Stanford, will tee off at Bernardus Golf this week, with live coverage on Sky Sports. Their goal is not just to defend the cup but to achieve back‑to‑back victories—a feat the United States has not managed since the 2017 edition.
Two years earlier, the Americans clinched a 15.5‑12.5 win over Europe in Virginia, ending a decade‑long drought of victories on European ground. The last time the U.S. triumphed abroad was in 2015, when a dramatic final‑day rally erased a 10‑6 deficit and secured a one‑point win in Germany.
Since then, the Americans have fallen agonisingly short in the two most recent overseas contests. At Gleneagles in 2019, a single putt by Norway’s Suzann Pettersen in the singles matches handed Europe a one‑point victory.
In 2021, the United States entered the final day with a commanding lead at Spain’s Finca Cortesin, only to see that advantage evaporate and the match end in a 14‑14 tie, allowing Europe to retain the cup. "Winning on foreign soil is always a challenge," said American rookie Andrea Lee during a pre‑tournament press conference. "We played well last time in Spain, came within a hair’s breadth of victory, and it was heartbreaking to see the tie and Europe keep the Cup. Many of us from that team are here this week, and we’re highly motivated to keep the Solheim Cup and finally win abroad again." The American contingent travelled together from Atlanta to the Netherlands on Saturday, taking a day to sight‑see Amsterdam before shifting their focus entirely to Solheim Cup preparations.
Even the details of their camp have been carefully considered: the team’s apparel and bag designs echo past overseas triumphs, recalling the 2007 victory in Sweden and the 2015 win in Germany. Such visual cues are intended to reinforce confidence and remind the players of what is possible when they perform under foreign conditions. Alison Lee added, "The format of this competition brings a fire out of the European players; they play amazing golf and are fierce competitors. That’s something we’re preparing for.
Of course, playing in Europe means dealing with rain and wind—conditions we rarely face back home—but we expect that. If we can combine solid golf with good chemistry, we have a strong chance this year." Andrea Lee also noted, "If we win this week, it will be the fourth time the United States has captured the Solheim Cup on foreign soil. We’re determined to add our name to that short list." Statistically, the recent Solheim Cups have been tightly contested. The last four editions have produced a combined winning margin of just six points, a stark contrast to the 24‑point swing seen across the last four Ryder Cups.
This narrowness underscores how critical every putt and every partnership decision becomes when the stakes are high and the venue is unfamiliar. World No. 1 Nelly Korda reflected on the disappointment in Spain, "We were so close.
The match ended in a tie, allowing Europe to retain the Cup. At Gleneagles we played well, but we never found the momentum we needed while we were in Europe. Our captain and the assistants have been telling us to rely on each other.
When things get tough, we have to remember we’re all in this together and that we have a huge support network behind us." Veteran Angel Yin echoed a similar sentiment, "We always seem to be deciding the match on the final putt. Even though the situation is unfamiliar, we fight hard and are learning from each experience." On the European side, the team atmosphere has been lively, with players engaging in ping‑pong, darts, and a caddie‑baby‑photo quiz to keep spirits high. Sweden’s captain, Annika Sorenstam, has assembled a youthful roster that includes four rookies, while seasoned players like Charley Hull make their eighth Solheim Cup appearance.
Hull observes, "There’s actually less pressure when you’re the away team. The crowds are huge both at home and abroad, but the expectation feels heavier when you’re defending on home soil." Only Carlota Ciganda matches Hull in total Solheim Cup appearances, having played for both Europe and the United States over the years. Ciganda expressed a personal motivation to win for her teammate Johanna Nordqvist, who has announced her retirement from the LPGA Tour.
"I’d love to win for her, especially now that she’s ending her playing career. It would be a wonderful gift. She’s achieved so much—major victories, countless Solheim Cups, clutch putts.
It would be special to deliver a win for her." Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least twelve hours of live action across the first two days, beginning at 6 a.m. local time on Friday and Saturday with the opening foursomes matches at 6:40 a.m. (7:40 a.m. CET).
The afternoon four‑ball sessions start at 12:05 p.m. (1:05 p.m.
CET), and coverage will continue through the final putt on Sunday. Singles play kicks off at 9 a.m., with the first tee shot at 10:10 a.m.
The closing ceremony will be streamed live on Sky Sports+ at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, while the opening ceremony on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. will reveal the day‑one pairings. Fans can follow the competition live on Sky Sports, with options to watch via the Sky Sports Golf channel, the Sky Sports+ streaming service, or the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free streaming.
For those interested in playing the courses themselves, Sky Sports also promotes discounted green fees at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, inviting golfers to experience world‑class venues firsthand. In summary, Team USA is entering this Solheim Cup with a blend of determination, experience, and a renewed focus on teamwork.
The combination of past heartbreak, meticulous preparation, and the desire to make history on foreign soil sets the stage for a compelling showdown. Whether the Americans can finally break the pattern of narrow defeats abroad and secure a consecutive victory remains to be seen, but the stakes—and the drama—could not be higher.