The 20th Solheim Cup begins on Friday at the Bernardus Golf course near Den Bosch in the Netherlands, where the United States will aim to secure their first victory on European soil since 2015. The biennial women’s team golf competition pits the U.S., captained by Angela Stanford, against Europe, led by Anna Nordqvist, both first-time captains in their roles.
World number one Nelly Korda leads the American charge after a standout season that included winning two majors: the US Open and the Chevron Championship. Korda, with an impressive Solheim Cup record, has lost only 5.5 points in 16 career matches across four previous appearances. She will open the competition in a high-profile foursomes match against Europe’s Charley Hull, who is appearing in her eighth Solheim Cup and made headlines by handing Korda a rare singles defeat in 2024. Hull will partner with Solheim Cup rookie Lottie Woad, a 22-year-old rising star who has quickly become an integral part of the European squad.
The course, designed by Kyle Phillips and known for its challenging heathland links characteristics, demands precise driving and strong second shots, according to players. Korda described the venue as a tough test owing to its penalizing bunkers, ditches, and water hazards, with conditions heavily influenced by the wind.
The competition format replicates that of the Ryder Cup, with foursomes and fourball matches on Friday and Saturday, followed by crucial singles on Sunday deciding the overall winner. Both captains emphasized mental toughness and composure as essential, especially for the U.S. team confronting a fervent European crowd in the first-ever Solheim Cup held in the Netherlands.
Statistically, the United States maintains the advantage in the all-time Solheim Cup encounters, holding 11 wins to Europe’s seven, alongside one draw. However, victories away from home remain elusive for the Americans, having achieved such success only once since 2007.
Europe’s team blends experienced players like Hull with four newcomers, including Woad, Mimi Rhodes, Julia Lopez Ramirez, and Nastasia Nadaud, though only a portion saw action in the opening session due to a captains’ agreement requiring all players to compete at least once before Sunday. Nordqvist praised the youthful energy the rookies bring, highlighting the rapid development of younger players on the tour.
For the U.S., Allison Lee returns as the sole player from the 2015 winning team in Germany, recalling the emotional challenges of that event. Lee, now a mother, described her journey back to the Solheim Cup as a significant personal achievement and a chance to contribute to a team eager to reclaim the trophy on foreign soil.
The early matches set a competitive tone, with Europe’s pairings built around established partnerships, such as Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Céline Boutier, and Sweden’s Maja Stark and Linn Grant, who have strong amateur ties.
As the teams prepare to compete, both sides acknowledge the narrow margins likely to define the tournament. Recent editions have been closely contested, underscoring the unpredictable and intense nature of team matchplay golf at the highest level.