Team USA arrives at Bernardus Golf this week with a singular, driving ambition: to break their long-standing drought on European soil and secure back-to-back Solheim Cup victories. Under the leadership of Angela Stanford, the Americans look to build on their commanding 15.5-12.5 triumph in Virginia two years ago, aiming for their first consecutive win since 2017.
Winning abroad has proven to be a notoriously difficult task for the United States. It has been 11 years since they last tasted success on European turf, a victory characterized by a historic final-day comeback in Germany. Since then, the Americans have suffered consecutive “heart-breaking” near-misses. They fell by a single point at Gleneagles in 2019 following an iconic putt from Suzann Pettersen, and they watched a commanding lead evaporate in Spain two years ago, ultimately finishing in a 14-14 stalemate that allowed Europe to retain the trophy.
“It’s always really hard to win on foreign soil,” American Andrea Lee admitted during her press conference. “I think we played really well and came so close last time in Spain. It was pretty heart-breaking to end in a tie, but a lot of us are here this week with extra motivation to keep the cup.”
The American squad has taken a meticulous approach to their preparation, even incorporating elements of past successes into their team branding, with clothing and bag designs nodding to their 2007 and 2015 victories on European soil. After spending a day as tourists in Amsterdam to build team chemistry, the players have shifted their focus to the challenging conditions of the Dutch course. World No 1 Nelly Korda emphasized that the team is focused on leaning on one another when the pressure mounts.
On the other side of the ropes, Team Europe enters the week with a blend of experience and youth. Captain Anna Nordqvist, who recently announced her mid-season retirement from the LPGA Tour, is looking to lead her squad to a fairy-tale farewell victory. The European team includes four rookies alongside veterans like Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda.
Hull, who is set to make her eighth consecutive appearance, noted that the pressure is arguably higher when playing at home. “We get big crowds both places, but it’s a little more pressure over here,” she said. Ciganda, meanwhile, has made it clear that the team is driven by a desire to send their captain off with a trophy. “I think it would be a very nice present for her,” Ciganda added.
With the first tee shots scheduled for Friday morning, the stage is set for another intense chapter in this storied rivalry. All three days of the 2026 Solheim Cup will be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports, starting with the opening ceremony this Thursday.
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