MAGUIRE NAMED AS ONE OF FOUR SOLHEIM CUP PICKS
Ireland’s Leona Maguire and her caddie during the 2021 Solheim Cup at Inverness Club, Ohio USA (Photo: Tristan Jones/LET)
European captain Anna Nordqvist today named Ireland’s Leona Maguire as one her four captain’s picks to complete the 12 player line-up that will represent Europe at the 2026 Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf, The Netherlands, from September 11-13.
After a dramatic conclusion to the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes yesterday, which saw Germany’s Esther Henseleit jump into one of the LET Solheim Cup Points spots, Nordqvist had to make her final decisions on who would join the eight automatic qualifiers.
Europe will be looking to win back the trophy at the 20th edition of the prestigious competition, which the United States won last time on home soil.
Maguire has the most experience of the picks and she is joined by rookies Julia López Ramirez of Spain, France’s Nastasia Nadaud and England’s Mimi Rhodes.
It will be a fourth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance for Maguire, who is a winner on the Ladies European Tour (LET), and has a phenomenal Solheim Cup record having won 8.5 points from her 12 matches.
“I’m really excited to be part of Team Europe again in September and I’m happy that Anna has picked me to be on the team,” said Maguire. “I love the Solheim Cup, it brings the best out of my game and I love being part of the team. I can’t wait to represent Europe for the fourth time and to be back on European soil.
López Ramirez will be making her Solheim Cup debut after impressing since turning professional. The 23-year-old is in her rookie season on the LET and in her second season on the LPGA Tour.
“It’s so cool! I have a lot of respect for Anna and trust her decisions,” said López Ramirez. “I’m living the dream right now. This is what you dream of when you’re a kid to be on the team and be able to experience it and all the big crowds. I’m on cloud nine. I wanted to get there and the fact I’ve achieved this dream super quick is amazing. I’m so excited.”
France’s Nadaud is another Solheim Cup rookie and has impressed over recent months securing her maiden LET title at the season-ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in 2025 before earning her LPGA Tour card and making the cut at every Major championship she has played in 2026.
“It's unbelievable! If you'd have told me six months ago, I'd be on the European Solheim Cup team, I wouldn't have believed you,” said Nadaud. “It's a dream come true to be able to represent Europe, in a home Solheim Cup on European soil. I'm so excited and proud to be part of Team Europe in September."
England’s Rhodes is the final pick and will be the fourth rookie on the team following her breakout season in 2025 which saw her capture three LET victories and the Rookie of the Year title.
“It’s always been a dream and goal of mine to play in the Solheim Cup,” said Rhodes. “Being part of the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2019 showed me what this team means, and to now be selected for the 2026 Solheim Cup is beyond anything I imagined. I’m so proud to represent Team Europe so early in my professional career, and I can’t wait until September.”
Speaking about her four picks, Nordqvist said: “Leona has proved herself at the Solheim Cup, she has a huge passion for the European team, and her record speaks for itself. She is a player you want on your team especially in matchplay and I'm thrilled to pick her.
"Julia has really impressed me since turning professional. She has a great personality, and she is a great ball-striker, very passionate and will bring great energy to the European team.
"Nastasia is a great young player who has been getting better and better in the qualifying period. After getting her first win on the LET, she is having a solid rookie season on the LPGA and is deserving of a spot on the team.
"Since turning professional, Mimi has impressed me with her performances, winning three times on the LET last year and has played on the LPGA Tour. She is an experienced matchplay player and is a fierce competitor.”
The four picks will be joined by England’s Charley Hull and Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who qualified through LET Solheim Cup Points, as well as England’s Lottie Woad, Swedish duo Maja Stark and Linn Grant, France’s Céline Boutier, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen.