EUROPEAN ROOKIES RARING TO GO AT 2026 SOLHEIM CUP

The 2026 European Solheim Cup Team has four rookies excited to make their debut at Bernardus in The Netherlands this week.

English duo Lottie Woad and Mimi Rhodes and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez and France’s Nastasia Nadaud will all be making their first appearance in the prestigious competition.

Woad qualified automatically to the team thanks to her rapid rise in the professional ranks over the last year, while Lopez Ramirez, Nadaud and Rhodes were all picked by captain Anna Nordqvist.

Nadaud, who won her first Ladies European Tour (LET) title in 2025, has been enjoying the week so far.

“It’s been amazing,” said the Frenchwoman, who is Team Europe’s youngest player. “I’ve been very warmly welcomed by everyone on the team. I was getting along with the rookies pretty well before that, and the veterans were really nice to us as well.

“I’m really enjoying my time here. The atmosphere is amazing. The Spaniards are bringing the energy. I’m very much looking forward to it.”

World number seven Woad has accomplished a lot in the 14 months since she turned professional, and the 22-year-old is taking everything in her stride.

“Everyone has been great. The team environment has been amazing, and we’ve been getting on great. I knew everyone coming into this before, but I’ve been getting some tips off them and loving it so far,” she said.

“I’ve just been asking general questions. Golf course-wise we’ve got our caddies, we’ve got our coaches, so you know what you’re doing with that. For a regular event, you go when you want to go. This week we’re all traveling together and you all practise at a set time, so it’s getting used to that. I’ve been told it’s a long week by everyone, so not to overdo it. It’s been very enjoyable. I think it’s nice that we have four rookies including me, so you’re not on your own in that sense.”

Spain’s Lopez Ramirez, who is known for being one of the longest hitters on the LPGA Tour and is a rookie on the LET in 2026, is full of energy and bringing that to the team room.

“I’m definitely bringing the energy,” said Lopez Ramirez. “I feel like that’s my role for the week. It’s a good team. We all bond with each other, so I think it’s going to be really fun to bring the energy and the golf as well.”

England’s Rhodes, who is a three-time winner on the LET, was part of the European PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2019 at Gleneagles and the Curtis Cup team in 2024.

However, the 2025 LET Rookie of the Year admits this week is unlike any other she has experienced.

Rhodes added: “It’s nothing like I ever imagined. It’s like the Curtis Cup on steroids. It’s incredible the amount of support that we have, obviously, on home soil and the amount of help I’m getting from everyone on the team and just feeling like I’m at home within the team and I’m able to be myself.

“I’ve just been enjoying the week, playing with everyone and just vibing together in the team room, especially playing ping pong. It doesn’t feel like anything too serious right now, but obviously, we’re gearing up and it will feel a little more intense on the first tee. I don’t think I can prepare myself for the first. I’ve heard a few things about the first, but I don’t think anyone can prepare you for that feeling. I’m just going to take it all in.”

Keep up to date with all the action during the 2026 Solheim Cup from September 11-13 at Bernardus Golf on our socials – @SolheimCupEuro and @TheSolheimCup.