Team USA arrives in the Netherlands this week with a clear mission: to shake off the sting of past near‑misses in overseas Solheim Cups and to defend their title on foreign ground. The American squad, led by captain Angela Stanford, will tee off at Bernardus Golf as the reigning champions after their 15.5‑12.5 triumph over Europe in Virginia two years earlier.
A successful defense would give the United States back‑to‑back victories for the first time since the 2017‑2018 campaigns. The last time the United States lifted the Solheim Cup in Europe was eleven years ago, when a dramatic final‑day rally erased a 10‑6 deficit and secured a one‑point win in Germany. Since then, the Americans have come agonisingly close on two occasions.
In 2019 at Gleneagles, a single putt by Norway’s Suzann Pettersen in the singles matches handed Europe a one‑point victory. Two years later, at Finca Cortesin in Spain, the U.S. held a commanding lead after the opening day but ultimately fell to a 14‑14 tie, allowing Europe to retain the trophy.
"Winning abroad is always a challenge," said American golfer Andrea Lee during a pre‑tournament press conference. "We played well last time in Spain and came within a whisker of taking it. It was heartbreaking to end in a tie and see Europe keep the Cup, but many of us from that team are back this week. We're fired up to keep the Solheim Cup and prove we can win on foreign soil again." The American contingent traveled together from Atlanta to the Netherlands on Saturday, taking a brief sightseeing break in Amsterdam before shifting full focus to Solheim Cup competition.
The team camp has paid close attention to details, even incorporating clothing and bag designs that echo previous overseas victories, such as the 2007 win in Sweden and the 2015 triumph in Germany. Alison Lee highlighted the intensity of the European players, noting, "The format brings a fire out of the European girls; they play amazing golf and are fierce competitors. That's something we’re preparing for." She added, "Playing in Europe means dealing with rain and wind, conditions we don’t often face at home.
If we stay focused, play solid golf, and find some chemistry, we have a great chance this year." Andrea Lee echoed that sentiment, stating, "If we win this week, it will be the fourth foreign‑soil victory for the United States. We’re determined to make that happen." The last four Solheim Cups have been decided by a combined margin of just six points, a stark contrast to the 24‑point swing seen in the most recent four Ryder Cups, underscoring how tightly contested the event has become. World No.
1 Nelly Korda reflected on the recent disappointments, saying, "In Spain we were super close; we tied with Europe, so they retained the Cup. At Gleneagles we played well, but momentum didn’t swing our way. Our captain and assistants keep reminding us to rely on each other.
When things get tough, we have to remember we’re here for each other and for the fans supporting us." Veteran Angel Yin added, "It always comes down to the last putt when we can’t close it out. We fight hard even though the situation is unfamiliar, and we’re learning from each experience." Europe’s team room has been buzzing with off‑course activities—ping‑pong, darts, and even a quiz featuring baby photos of the caddies—creating a relaxed yet competitive atmosphere. Sweden’s captain, Annika Sorenstam, has fielded a youthful lineup that includes four rookies, while half the squad has never played a home Solheim Cup.
Charley Hull, making her eighth consecutive appearance, remains a cornerstone for Europe. Hull commented on the pressure of playing at home, "I actually feel there’s less pressure when you’re away.
We get big crowds everywhere, but the expectation is higher here because it’s a home Solheim Cup." Only Carlota Ciganda matches Hull’s number of Solheim Cup appearances, and she is eager to help Sweden’s captain, Johanna Nordqvist, who announced her impending retirement from the LPGA Tour. "I’d love to win for her, especially now that she’s stepping away from the tour. It would be a wonderful gift for her after all she’s accomplished," Ciganda said.
The broadcast schedule promises extensive coverage on Sky Sports Golf, with at least twelve hours of live action over the first two days. Coverage begins at 6:00 am local time on Friday and Saturday, leading into the opening foursomes matches at 6:40 am (7:40 am local). The afternoon four‑ball sessions start at 12:05 pm (1:05 pm local) on both days, and the final singles matches kick off at 9:00 am on Sunday, with the first tee shot at 10:10 am.
Sky Sports+ will stream the closing ceremony from 5:30 pm on Sunday, and the opening ceremony on Thursday at 4:30 pm will reveal the first‑day pairings. Beyond the on‑course drama, fans can explore special offers from Sky Sports, stream without a contract on NOW, or even book a round at one of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. The Solheim Cup runs from September 11‑13, and the competition promises to be a showcase of skill, resilience, and national pride as Team USA seeks to turn past heartbreak into a historic victory on European soil.