European captain Anna Nordqvist named Leona Maguire and three rookies—Mimi Rhodes, Julia López Ramirez, and Nastasia Nadaud—as her wildcard picks for the 2026 Solheim Cup on August 3, 2026. The team will attempt to reclaim the trophy from the United States at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11-13.
The 31-year-old Irish golfer has struggled through a season marked by inconsistency, including nine missed cuts and a recent failure to make the weekend at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes. Depending on the source, her world ranking has slipped to either 79 or 83.
Despite these numbers, Maguire is a matchplay specialist with a proven track record in the event. She has claimed 8.5 points across 12 matches, including a dominant debut in 2021 where she won four and a half points out of five.
“Leona has proved herself at the Solheim Cup. She has a huge passion for the European team and her record speaks for itself.”
Anna Nordqvist, European Captain, via msn.com
A Youth Movement: Rhodes, Ramirez and Nadaud
While Maguire provides the veteran stability, Nordqvist has used the remaining three spots to inject raw energy and rookie potential. This shift brings four debutants to the squad, including Lottie Woad, who qualified automatically.
England’s Mimi Rhodes earns her first call-up after a strong 2025 where she won three times on the Ladies European Tour (LET) to secure Rookie of the Year honors. Though her recent form has been patchy—including four consecutive missed cuts before a tied 51st at the Scottish Open—Nordqvist views her as a fierce competitor
with significant matchplay experience from her 2024 Curtis Cup victory.
- Julia López Ramirez: The 23-year-old Spaniard is in her first LET season and second LPGA Tour season. Nordqvist highlighted her as a
great ball-striker
who will bring positive energy to the team. - Nastasia Nadaud: The French player secured her first LET title late last year. She has shown remarkable consistency in 2026, making the cut in all five majors she played this year.
The Full European Roster for Bernardus
The 12-player team is now complete, blending automatic qualifiers with the captain’s selections. The automatic berths were sealed following the conclusion of the AIG Women’s Open.
| Automatic Qualifiers | Captain’s Picks (Wildcards) |
|---|---|
| Charley Hull (England) | Leona Maguire (Ireland) |
| Esther Henseleit (Germany) | Mimi Rhodes (England) |
| Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark) | Julia López Ramirez (Spain) |
| Lottie Woad (England) | Nastasia Nadaud (France) |
| Maja Stark (Sweden) | |
| Linn Grant (Sweden) | |
| Céline Boutier (France) | |
| Carlota Ciganda (Spain) |
Among the automatic qualifiers, Esther Henseleit enters the event with significant momentum. She narrowly missed the Women’s Open title on Sunday, losing in a playoff to Shiho Kuwaki after a bad bounce off a marshal’s leg sent her drive into a gorse bush.
Strategic Stakes and the U.S. Response
Europe’s goal is to win back the trophy after a defeat in Virginia two years ago. Maguire herself acknowledged the pressure, noting that her goal was to qualify automatically rather than rely on a pick, but she pointed to a tied-eighth finish at the Scottish Open as a sign that her game is sharpening.
The United States is still finalizing its response. While Nelly Korda, Angel Yin, and Jennifer Kupcho have already secured their spots, U.S. captain Angela Stanford will not announce her three captain’s picks until August 24, after the qualification period ends.
For Maguire, the road to the Netherlands involves a tight schedule. She is set to play the Portland Classic and the Canadian Open before returning home for the KPMG Irish Women’s Open at The K Club. The Solheim Cup dates directly clash with the Amgen Irish Open at Doonbeg, making her presence in the Netherlands a significant commitment to the European cause.
“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.”
Leona Maguire, Professional Golfer, via irishexaminer.com
Her dedication to the team remains a priority as she prepares to balance her busy tournament schedule with the demands of the upcoming competition in the Netherlands.
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