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 won 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, hoping to become the first U.S. side since 2017 to win back‑to‑back Solheim Cups.
The last time the United States lifted the Solheim Cup in Europe was in 2015, when a dramatic comeback on the final day erased a 10‑6 deficit and secured a one‑point victory in Germany. Since then, the Americans have fallen agonisingly short in the two most recent away contests. In 2019 at Gleneagles, a single putt by Norway’s Suzann Pettersen in the singles matches handed Europe a one‑point win.
Two years later, at Finca Cortesin in Spain, the U.S. entered the final day with a commanding lead but could only manage a 14‑14 tie, allowing Europe to retain the cup. "Winning on foreign soil is always a challenge," said Andrea Lee in a pre‑tournament press conference.
"We played well in Spain, but it was heartbreaking to finish level and see Europe keep the Cup. That disappointment fuels us now – we’re determined to stay champions and finally break the European streak on their own ground." The American contingent traveled together from Atlanta to Amsterdam on Saturday, spending a day sightseeing before shifting their focus entirely to Solheim Cup preparations.
Even the details of their camp have been fine‑tuned: 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 abroad.
Alison Lee added, "The format of the Solheim Cup brings out a fire in the European players; they’re fierce competitors and we have to be ready for that. The weather here is different – we don’t usually play in rain or wind – but we expect it and we’ll adapt. If we can play solid golf and click as a team, we have a real shot this year." Andrea Lee also highlighted the historical significance: "If we win, it will be the fourth time the United States has captured the Cup on foreign soil. We’re all very determined to make that happen." Statistically, the last four Solheim Cups have been decided by a combined margin of just six points, a stark contrast to the 24‑point swing that has characterized the most recent Ryder Cups.
This narrowness underscores how every match, every putt, can swing the outcome, and why Team USA is eager to avoid another heartbreak. World No. 1 Nelly Korda reflected on the previous year’s disappointment: "In Spain we were so close – we tied and Europe kept the Cup.
At Gleneagles we played well, but momentum didn’t go our way. This week we need to rely on each other, especially when things get tough. Our captains and assistants keep reminding us that we’re all in this together and that we have a huge amount of support behind us." Angel Yin echoed a similar sentiment about the fine margins: "We keep coming down to the last putt.
Even though the situation is unfamiliar, we always fight hard and I think we’re learning a lot each time." On the European side, the atmosphere in the team room has been light‑hearted, with activities such as ping‑pong, darts and a baby‑photo quiz featuring the caddies. These moments of camaraderie are intended to ease tension and build team spirit ahead of the high‑stakes competition. Europe’s roster, captained by Annika Sörenstam’s protégé, features a blend of experience and youth.
Four rookies join a core that has never played a home Solheim Cup, while veteran Charley Hull makes her eighth consecutive appearance, hoping to lead the team to victory. Hull noted, "When you’re away there’s actually less pressure. At home the crowds are massive and the expectations are higher, so the pressure feels different." Carlota Ciganda, who shares the record for most Solheim Cup appearances with Hull, expressed a personal motivation: "I would love to win for Nordqvist, especially now that she’s announced her retirement.
It would be a wonderful gift for her after such an illustrious career. She’s won everything – majors, Solheim Cups, countless putts – and she deserves a special send‑off." Sky Sports Golf will deliver extensive coverage, offering at least twelve hours of live action across the first two days. Broadcasts begin at 6 a.m.
local time on Friday and Saturday, with the opening foursomes match teeing off 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 the final day’s singles begin at 9 a.m., leading into the decisive tee‑off at 10:10 a.m. The network will also stream the closing ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
on Sunday, where the victorious team will be crowned, and the opening ceremony on Thursday at 4:30 p.m., which will reveal the first‑day pairings. Fans can follow the entire three‑day showdown, scheduled for September 11‑13, on Sky Sports Golf or via the streaming service NOW with a no‑contract option. Beyond the competition itself, the event highlights the growing popularity of golf tourism in the UK and Ireland.
Sky Sports promotes special deals for booking rounds at over 1,700 courses across the region, inviting viewers to experience the sport firsthand after watching the drama unfold on television. In summary, Team USA is entering this Solheim Cup with a blend of determination, historical awareness, and a renewed focus on teamwork. The lessons learned from past heartbreaks—whether a single missed putt in Scotland or a lost lead in Spain—are now fuel for a concerted effort to break Europe’s recent dominance on home soil. Whether the weather, the crowd, or the pressure of a tight scoreline will tip the balance remains to be seen, but the Americans are prepared to give everything they have to keep the Cup in their hands.