The recent Solheim Cup contests have shown just how evenly matched Team Europe and Team USA have become, and there is little reason to expect this year’s showdown to break that pattern. Anna Nordqvist’s European squad is set to chase the trophy on familiar turf at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, with the event being broadcast live on Sky Sports. This follows a 15.5‑12.5 defeat in Virginia two years ago – the first loss for Europe in the biennial competition since 2017.
Unlike the Ryder Cup, where recent editions have often produced sizable winning margins (aside from the dramatic 2022 comeback at Bethpage Black), the Solheim Cup has consistently delivered nail‑biting finishes. The last three European‑hosted Cups have produced the three closest results in the tournament’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 close encounters brought its own brand of drama.
In 2015, Team USA staged a record‑breaking singles rally to snatch victory, while in 2019 Suzann Pettersen sank the decisive putt on the 18th green to hand Europe a win at Gleneagles. The 2023 finale in Spain saw Europe rebound from a disastrous opening session on Friday, clawing back to reach the 14‑point threshold needed to retain the cup. Even earlier, the 2011 Dublin contest was decided by a narrow two‑point margin after Cristie Kerr withdrew due to injury during the singles.
Taken together, the last four Solheim Cups on this side of the Atlantic have been decided by a combined total of just six points, underscoring how razor‑thin the margin between the two sides has become. With both teams fielding line‑ups that are comparable in terms of recent form, world rankings, and Solheim Cup experience, predicting a clear winner for Sunday evening is exceptionally difficult.
Team Europe often enters the competition as the underdog in the eyes of many analysts, largely because the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings typically feature more American players in the top tier. Nevertheless, Europe now boasts a higher concentration of players inside the world’s top ten than the United States, a shift that could prove pivotal.
Charley Hull is making her eighth consecutive appearance for Europe, while world No. 7 Lottie Woad, though technically a rookie to the Cup, has already captured two LPGA Tour titles within just over a year of turning professional. Nordqvist also has five teammates ranked inside the world’s top 35, including Esther Henseleit, who surged after a runner‑up finish at the AIG Women’s Open, as well as Maja Stark and Celine Boutier, both regular contenders on the LPGA circuit. Team USA, on the other hand, enjoys considerable depth in the rankings, with nine players inside the top 50.
Their lowest‑ranked participant, rookie Lindy Duncan, sits at world No. 66, whereas five European players—four of whom are captain’s picks—rank below that mark.
Dame Laura Davies, a twelve‑time Solheim Cup veteran, summed up the situation on the Sky Sports Golf podcast: “I firmly believe it will come down to home advantage. 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 think home advantage makes a huge difference.” Beyond the rankings, recent performance on the LPGA Tour offers additional context.
While Nelly Korda has dominated the early 2026 season with four wins and a top‑eight finish in ten events, few other players from either side have claimed victories this year. Lauren Coughlin’s win at the Aramco Championship stands as the sole American Solheim Cup participant’s triumph on the LPGA Tour so far, while Europe’s only wins have come from Boutier and Woad. Hull, who captured the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour in February, brings both experience and confidence.
She famously defeated Korda 6&4 in the Sunday singles two years ago, a result that still resonates with European fans. Hull now holds 15 Solheim Cup match wins—more than any player under 30 in the competition’s history—second only to Annika Sörenstam in winning‑percentage among frequent European representatives.
Davies has urged Hull to “step up and lead” Europe again, citing her powerful tee shots and relaxed demeanor. Nordqvist echoed this sentiment, noting that Hull’s personality lifts the team atmosphere: “You just have to let Charley be Charley.
It was great to see how much she enjoys the Solheim Cup; she lights up the team room. I can’t wait to see her tee it up.” Earlier in the season, Nordqvist’s vice‑captains suggested she consider a captain’s pick for herself after a string of strong summer results, but the Swedish captain opted instead to fill her roster with four younger players. A tied‑seventh finish at the Evian Championship, followed by top‑30 placements in her next two events, sparked the discussion, especially as veteran Georgia Hall missed qualification for the first time since 2015 and Madelene Sagström sat out due to childbirth. The roster also includes seasoned campaigner Leona Maguiré—hero of Europe’s 2021 away‑soil victory—as well as rising talents Julia Lopez Ramírez, Nastasia Nadaud, and Mimi Rhodes, all eager to prove themselves on golf’s biggest stage.
Nordqvist expressed confidence in the team’s power and cohesion: “We have a lot of strength this year, and I think we’ll be very strong. It’s a big change, but we have a solid core group that will make everyone feel comfortable and confident.” Historically, Europe’s decisions to select three rookies as captain’s picks—in 2011 and 2021—have both resulted in victories, and Nordqvist hopes to complete a hat‑trick of such successes.
So, who will lift the Solheim Cup this year? Fans can follow 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.