Mimi Rhodes can hardly contain her excitement as she steps onto the Solheim Cup stage, a tournament she has imagined since she first picked up a club as a child. The English professional has been selected as one of Anna Nordqvist's captain's picks for Team Europe, and she is eager to see the squad reclaim the trophy on home soil in the Netherlands. Rhodes will make her first appearance for Europe this week at Bernardus Golf, a venue that will host the competition after the European side suffered a 2024 loss to the United States.
The young golfer, who enjoyed a stellar amateur career and notched three victories during her rookie season on the Ladies European Tour, now hopes to build on a solid inaugural LPGA Tour campaign by achieving the lifelong ambition of representing her continent. "This is the culmination of twelve years of hard work," Rhodes told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview. "I grew up watching the Solheim Cup on television at my grandparents' house, surrounded by family who love team sports.
Those memories have always been vivid – the excitement, the chants, the sense of unity. To actually be part of that now is almost impossible to describe." She went on to explain that the tournament has always ranked above major championships in her personal hierarchy of goals.
"Winning a major is fantastic, but representing Europe has been the number‑one dream ever since I turned professional. It feels like the ultimate validation of everything I've sacrificed on the road," she said. Rhodes entered the 2024 season with back‑to‑back top‑ten finishes, but a rough patch of missed cuts between April and July left her fearing she might be overlooked for a captain's pick. She managed to reverse the trend with respectable showings at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open, performances that helped her stay in the conversation as the qualification deadline approached.
The moment she learned she had secured a place was a phone call from Nordqvist herself. "When she called, it felt surreal. After months of uncertainty, hearing her name was like a dream finally becoming real. I was terrified and thrilled at the same time," Rhodes recalled.
"I had already started to accept the possibility of missing out, so the relief was overwhelming. I just want to make Anna proud and give everything for the team." Rhodes’ connection to the Solheim Cup stretches back to her junior days.
In 2019 she participated in the PING Junior Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, and she later watched the senior event from inside the ropes as Suzann Pettersen secured a dramatic 14.5‑13.5 victory for Europe. "Being that close to the action was unforgettable.
The players celebrated on the field, and we were invited to join them. It cemented my resolve to work hard and earn a spot on that stage," she said. "Representing Europe is the pinnacle of achievement in women’s golf." Historically, the most recent Solheim Cups held on European soil have produced the tightest finishes in the event’s history. The 2015 and 2019 editions were decided by a single point, while the 2023 match ended in a 14‑14 tie before the United States claimed the cup on a sudden‑death playoff.
Rhodes believes that the narrow margins of those contests demonstrate how competitive Europe can be, and she is confident the team can tip the scales in their favor this year. "On paper, the U.S. team is always strong, but golf is as much about mindset as skill," Rhodes asserted.
"During practice we felt a great vibe among the European players – confidence, camaraderie, and a genuine enjoyment of the experience. That energy can be intimidating for the opposition." She also praised Nordqvist’s leadership, noting that the captain’s demeanor at practice sessions gave the squad a sense of direction and purpose.
"Anna exudes calm authority. She knows how to motivate us and keep us focused without adding pressure. Knowing she believes in us lets us relax and play our natural game," Rhodes explained.
"She’s a brilliant communicator, and we’re all eager to make her proud and bring the cup back to Europe." Looking ahead, Rhodes is focused on the three‑day showdown scheduled for September 11‑13. She plans to lean on her recent form, the support of her teammates, and the passionate home crowd to deliver a performance that lives up to the expectations of a nation hungry for victory. Fans can follow Team Europe’s quest to regain the Solheim Cup live on Sky Sports Golf, with all three days broadcast in full. For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers a contract‑free option to watch the drama unfold.
As the competition approaches, Rhodes remains grounded yet exhilarated, ready to turn her childhood dream into a tangible reality and, hopefully, to celebrate a triumphant return of the Solheim Cup to Europe.