Solheim Cup - Team Europe Finalised

Solheim Cup: Europe finalises team as Nordqvist names four captain’s picks

The four captain’s picks join the eight players who qualified automatically through Europe’s selection process. Nordqvist’s picks are Leonie Maguire (IRL), Julia Lopez Ramirez (ESP), Nastasia Nadaud (FRA) and Mimi Rhodes (ENG). Lopez Ramirez was one of two LPGA players who contested LET Q-School to secure Ladies European Tour membership and remain eligible for the Solheim Cup. Ingrid Lindblad was the other; she finished one place behind Rhodes in the world rankings on selection day. Ozziegolf’s article about that can be read here.

The eight automatic qualifiers are Charley Hull (ENG) and Esther Henseleit (GER), who qualified via the LET Solheim Cup points list, followed by Lottie Woad (ENG), Maja Stark (SWE), Celine Boutier (FRA), Carlota Ciganda (ESP), Linn Grant (SWE) and Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN), who secured their places through the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

The final day of the AIG Women’s Open delivered the decisive twist. By finishing outright second, Esther Henseleit earned enough LET Solheim Cup points to claim the second automatic LET place, edging Chiara Tamburlini by less than a point. Tamburlini could count herself desperately unlucky: she missed out on an automatic berth and was then overlooked for a captain’s pick, with Nordqvist selecting her four wildcards in line with the world rankings. Henseleit’s move through the LET points list also shifted the world-ranking picture, allowing Rhodes to take the final ranking spot. Rhodes tied for 36th at the AIG Women’s Open and climbed the one place she needed to move ahead of Lindblad.

Charley Hull is Europe’s highest-ranked player at world No. 6, while Rhodes is the lowest-ranked member of the side at No. 91. Rhodes, Woad, Lopez Ramirez and Nadoud will all make their first Solheim Cup appearance at Bernardus. Ireland’s Maguire was the only Captains pick with prior Solheim experience having played in the last three versions. Maguire said "I'm really excited to be part of Team Europe again in September," Maguire said. "I love the Solheim Cup, it brings the best out of my game and I love being part of the team."

Team USA will have seven automatic qualifiers from the LPGA rankings and two automatic qualifiers from the world rankings. Both automatic pathways close on August 23 following the CPKC Women’s Open before Captain Angela Stanford adds three Captains picks to complete the team.

It is likely that Team USA will, on paper at least, be much stronger than Team Europe. But we often see that singles rankings and strengths do not always translate to team success. This year shapes up as being a very close contest.