Britain’s Mimi Rhodes and Ireland’s Leona Maguire have been handed wildcard selections for Europe’s Solheim Cup squad, set to face the United States at Bernardus in the Netherlands next month.
Captain Anna Nordqvist chose Maguire despite the Irish player missing four cuts in her last six tournaments, including the recent AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes. Nordqvist noted that Maguire has slipped to 79th in the world rankings but pointed to an “immense passionateness for the European squad” and a record that “speaks for itself.”
“Leona has proved herself astatine the Solheim Cup,” Nordqvist said. “She has a immense passionateness for the European squad and her grounds speaks for itself.”
“She is simply a subordinate you privation connected your squad particularly successful matchplay and I'm thrilled to prime her.”
Maguire’s Solheim Cup pedigree includes a debut five years ago in which she won four and a half points out of five, accumulating an overall record of eight wins, one half and three defeats in twelve matches. Her recent form, however, has raised questions about her place on Nordqvist’s radar as Europe seeks to reclaim the trophy after the loss in Virginia two years ago.
“I emotion the Solheim Cup,” Maguire said, noting she posted a invited apical 10 at the recent Scottish Open. “It brings the champion retired of my crippled and I emotion being portion of the team.”
“I can't hold to correspond Europe for the 4th clip and to beryllium backmost connected European soil.”
Rhodes, who will make her Solheim Cup debut, is ranked 92nd in the world and had failed to reach the cut in four consecutive events before tying for 51st at the Scottish Open. The 24‑year‑old Englishwoman earned three Ladies European Tour victories last year and has also competed on the LPGA Tour.
“To present beryllium selected for the 2026 Solheim Cup is beyond thing I imagined,” Rhodes said. “I'm truthful arrogant to correspond Team Europe truthful aboriginal successful my nonrecreational career, and I can't hold until September.”
Nordqvist added, “Since turning professional, Mimi has impressed maine with her performances, winning 3 times connected the LET past twelvemonth and has played connected the LPGA Tour.”
“She is an experienced matchplay subordinate and is simply a fierce competitor.”
The captain also selected two other rookies: Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez and France’s Nastasia Nadaud, neither of whom currently appear inside the world’s top 80.
Lopez Ramirez, in her debut season on the Ladies European Tour and her second on the LPGA Tour, said, “It's truthful cool,” and added, “I person a batch of respect for Anna and spot her decisions.”
“This is what you imagination of erstwhile you're a kid to beryllium connected the squad and beryllium capable to acquisition it and each the large crowds. I'm connected unreality nine.”
Nordqvist believes Lopez Ramirez will bring a positive influence in the locker room and a formidable game, describing her as having “a large property,” being “a large ball‑striker, precise passionate” and ready to “bring large vigor to the European team.”
Nadaud captured the season‑ending Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana last year, secured her LPGA card and made the cut in all five majors during the 2026 season.
“If you'd person told maine six months agone I'd beryllium connected the European Solheim Cup team, I wouldn't person believed you,” Nadaud said. “It's a imagination travel true.”
Nordqvist praised Nadaud’s development, stating, “After getting her archetypal triumph connected the LET, she is having a coagulated rookie play connected the LPGA and is deserving of a spot connected the team.”
With three rookie wildcard picks, Europe will field four debutants alongside Farnham’s Lottie Woad, who qualified automatically. The remaining automatic qualifiers are England’s Charley Hull and the Women’s Open runner‑up Esther
Sincity Press Staff
2 days ago 4 min read
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