The recent history of the Solheim Cup has shown just how evenly matched Team Europe and Team USA have become, and there is little reason to believe that this weekend’s showdown will break that pattern. Anna Nordqvist’s European squad is set to defend the trophy on home turf at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, with live coverage 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. Unlike the Ryder Cup, which has often produced decisive margins in recent years—aside from the dramatic comeback by the United States at Bethpage Black in 2023—the Solheim Cup has consistently delivered nail‑biting finishes.
The last three European‑hosted Solheim Cups have produced the three closest results in the competition’s history. In 2015 and 2019 the matches were decided by a single point, and the 2023 edition ended in an unprecedented 14‑14 tie. Each of those contests carried its own brand of drama. In 2015, Team USA staged a record‑breaking singles rally to clinch the cup, while four years later Suzann Pettersen sank the decisive putt on the 18th green to hand Europe a victory at Gleneagles.
The climax in Spain was equally thrilling: after being trounced in the opening Friday session, Pettersen’s side clawed back in the singles to reach the 14‑point threshold needed to retain the cup. The 2011 showdown in Dublin also underscored how thin the margins can be. Europe’s winning margin was a mere two points, largely because Cristie Kerr was forced to withdraw from the singles due to injury. In fact, the combined winning differential across the last four Solheim Cups held in Europe is just six points, highlighting the parity between the two continents.
When you compare the current rosters, the picture remains just as balanced. Both teams feature players who are in excellent form, hold high world rankings, and possess valuable Solheim Cup experience.
Predicting a clear favorite for Sunday evening is therefore a difficult task. On paper, Team Europe often appears as the underdog because the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings show a greater number of Americans occupying the top slots. However, this year 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, and world No.
7 Lottie Woad, despite being technically a rookie, has already captured two LPGA Tour titles in just over a year as a professional. Nordqvist’s squad also includes five players ranked inside the world’s top 35. Esther Henseleit surged up the rankings after finishing runner‑up at the AIG Women’s Open, while 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, though their lowest‑ranked rookie, Lindy Duncan, sits at world No.
66. Five of Europe’s players—including all four captain’s picks—are positioned outside that threshold.
"I firmly believe it will come down to home advantage," veteran Solheim Cup veteran 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 just think that home advantage makes such a difference." Beyond the rankings, recent form offers additional clues. While Nelly Korda has dominated the early LPGA season with four victories and never finishing worse than eighth in ten events, few other players from either side have captured titles this year. Lauren Coughlin’s win at the Aramco Championship is the sole American Solheim Cup player’s triumph on the LPGA Tour so far, and from Europe only Boutier and Woad have managed to win stateside. Hull, who claimed the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour in February, remains a cornerstone of the European team.
She famously beat Korda 6&4 in the Sunday singles two years ago, and she now holds a record 15 Solheim Cup match wins—more than any player before the age of 30. Only Annika Sörenstam enjoys a higher winning‑points percentage among Europeans with comparable participation. Davies has urged Hull to "step up and lead" Europe again, citing her power off the tee and relaxed demeanor. Nordqvist echoed that sentiment, noting that Hull, now world No.
8, will likely play a pivotal role in Europe’s quest to retain the cup. "You just have to let Charley be Charley," Nordqvist said to Sky Sports.
"It was great to see how much she enjoyed the Solheim Cup last time—she lights up the team room just 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 as a captain’s pick, given her strong summer results. 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 discussions, as did top‑30 finishes in her next two events.
Meanwhile, Georgia Hall missed qualification for the first time since 2015, and Madelene Sagström was absent due to childbirth. The lineup also features seasoned veterans like Leona Maguire, the hero of Europe’s 2021 victory on foreign soil, and emerging talents such as Julia Lopez Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes, all of whom will get a chance to prove themselves on golf’s biggest stage. "We have a lot of power in this group and I think we’re going to be really strong this year," Nordqvist said. "It’s going to be a big change, but I feel we have such a solid core of girls that will make the rest of the players feel comfortable and confident." Historically, Europe’s decision to include three rookies as captain’s picks—first in 2011 and again in 2021—has resulted in victories.
Nordqvist hopes to complete a hat‑trick of wins by repeating that strategy. Who will ultimately lift the Solheim Cup? Catch Team Europe’s attempt to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days of action broadcast from September 11‑13 on Sky Sports Golf.
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