Angel Yin recently opened up about the health challenges that threatened to keep her off the Solheim Cup roster, emphasizing that she would never endanger Team USA's chances of securing an away victory in the Netherlands. Yin earned an automatic spot on captain Angela Stanford's squad by ranking high on the U.S. Solheim Cup points list, as the United States aims to defend the trophy at Bernardus Golf and achieve its first overseas win over Europe since 2015. The 27‑year‑old has not completed a full 72‑hole tournament since May and has only entered one LPGA event since June.
In that outing she missed the cut by a wide margin—13 strokes—after returning from an undisclosed stomach ailment. The illness forced her to lose more than two and a half stone, prompting serious doubts about her ability to compete at the elite level. Despite the setbacks, Yin expressed deep gratitude for the support she received from captain Stanford while she wrestled with the decision of whether to travel to the Netherlands. When pressed about the possibility of sitting out, Yin replied during her pre‑tournament press conference, "Yes, of course.
I know it sounds crazy that I'm here because I played a week ago in Boston and it obviously wasn't great. It wasn't ideal. Those rounds of 81 and 76 are not the kind of scores you want to bring to a competition that decides the fate of the Cup for America." She went on to explain the mental and physical work she has been putting in, noting that the Solheim Cup is the pinnacle event in women's golf and that this year marks the 20th edition of the competition. "I wanted to be honest, because I would never jeopardise America.
I had honest talks with myself in the mirror, with my team, and obviously with Angela," she said, adding that Stanford and her family were the only people she kept fully updated throughout the ordeal. Yin recounted a pivotal conversation with the captain: "We all agreed on this and she wanted me here. I asked my caddie to check with her: 'Do you want me here?' If she had said no, I wouldn't be here.
But she said yes. With that belief and confidence backing me, why wouldn't I show up?" Stanford later confirmed in a Tuesday press conference that Yin would indeed take part for Team USA, even though former world No.
1 Lilia Vu—who secured a crucial half‑point in the 2024 victory—was present in uniform as a potential last‑minute alternate. Yin took advantage of an extra practice session on Wednesday, playing the front nine alone before joining the rest of the American contingent on the back nine. The two‑time LPGA Tour winner said she felt her game was showing encouraging signs as the tournament approached.
"I'm feeling great," she said. "Everyone has different opinions, but I think my game is solid. Every day it gets better.
It's like art—people see it differently, but the results are what truly matter." She acknowledged that the final decision rested with the captain, stating, "I can be as confident as I want, but ultimately it's up to the captain, because she has to be responsible for us. I just need to do my part and wait for her call.
Whatever she decides, I trust it will be the best decision for the team." In a practice match, Yin partnered with Yealimi Noh to defeat Alison Lee and Megan Khang. Lee praised Yin's performance, noting, "Angel is playing great golf. She's working hard, putting in the work, probably the hardest out here.
She wants to make the reps, wants to put in the effort. She's obviously earned her spot and is doing everything she can to give her best.
There's nothing but great things to say about her." Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least twelve hours of live coverage over the first two days of the Solheim Cup. Coverage begins at 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, leading up to the opening foursomes match tee‑off at 6:40 a.m.
(7:40 a.m. local time). The afternoon four‑ball sessions start at 12:05 p.m. (1:05 p.m.
local), with commentary continuing through the final putt. Sunday singles coverage kicks off at 9 a.m., preceding the opening tee shot at 10:10 a.m. Sky Sports+ will stream the closing ceremony from 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, after the winning team is crowned, while the opening ceremony on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
will reveal the first‑day pairings. Fans wondering who will lift the Solheim Cup can watch Team Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days of action—September 11‑13—available on Sky Sports Golf. Viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports offers or stream without a contract via NOW.