SC26 American Captain Announced

Angela Stanford Named Captain for 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup Team

Stanford, who served as an assistant captain three times, is a seven-time LPGA Tour winner and six-time veteran of the U.S. Team

After three turns as an assistant captain, Angela Stanford will take the helm of her first U.S. Solheim Cup Team in 2026. Stanford, a six-time veteran of the American squad, will captain the top 12 American female golfers as they represent their country at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, from Sept. 11-13, 2026.

“I’m extremely grateful to be named the next American captain for the Solheim Cup and join a list of my heroes in the game. I’ve always believed that I represent more than myself on the LPGA Tour, and there is no greater honor than representing your country,” said Stanford. “I consider this the pinnacle of my career, and I’m looking forward to leading our players to the Netherlands in 2026.”

“Angela Stanford will certainly be a wonderful captain for the U.S. Team at the 2026 Solheim Cup,” said Interim LPGA Commissioner Liz Moore. “Angela has always been a spark on and off the course, a true leader and a dedicated partner to her teammates. It’s now her time to take the helm of the U.S. Team, and I have no doubt that she will lead her squad to a successful week in the Netherlands.”

Stanford retired in 2024 after a 23-year LPGA Tour career. She has seven LPGA Tour victories, earning her first major title at the 2018 Amundi Evian Championship in her 18th season on Tour. Stanford has also won the 2023 and 2024 Senior LPGA Championships.

She competed in 98 consecutive major championships from 2002 to 2024, second only to Jack Nicklaus for consecutive majors played in professional golf. Stanford has competed in six Solheim Cups, representing the USA in 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. In 2015, Stanford earned the winning point for the U.S. Team with her 2-and-1 victory over Suzann Pettersen. She then served as an assistant captain in 2021 under Captain Pat Hurst, and again in 2023 and 2024 under Captain Stacy Lewis.

Off the course, Stanford runs the Angela Stanford Foundation, which provides scholarships to kids in her native Texas whose families have fallen victim to breast cancer.

About the Solheim Cup

The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country and continent. This biennial international match-play competition features the best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).

The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten and Louise Solheim and family, the founders of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. The 2026 Solheim Cup will be held Sept. 11-13 at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands. The U.S. Team leads Team Europe, 11-7-1, all-time in Solheim Cup competition.