The 2024 Solheim Cup may have only just been added to the history books, but Team Europe will likely already be starting to make plans for 2026 in Netherlands as they look to regain the trophy they lost for the first time since 2017 last week.
It was another brilliant week for the Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, with USA producing some stunning golf over the first two days to put themselves on pole position. Europe did fight back and set up a tense finish, but Stacy Lewis’ side would ultimately have enough to get themselves across the line in Gainesville.
Lewis’ captaincy will be remembered as a real success, with one victory and one tie from her two events at the helm. Perhaps she may feel a sense of unfinished business after coming so close to winning the cup outright in Spain in 2023.
For Suzann Pettersen meanwhile, an outright victory eluded her, with Europe managing to retain the cup at Finca Cortesin. The Norwegian has come in for some criticism for some of her decisions this time around, with many golf fans particularly baffled that Leona Maguire only played one session before the singles.
Charley Hull suggests who could captain Europe at 2026 Solheim Cup
It would be a surprise that Pettersen remained captain for 2026, but obviously Europe need to have her successor in mind. And the decision-makers may perhaps want to hear the opinions of the players likely to make up some of that team in Netherlands in two years.
Certainly, it would be a surprise if Charley Hull was not involved, with the 28-year-old taking 16.5 points in her Solheim Cup career. And speaking in her press conference ahead of the Kroger Queen City Championship, Hull was asked who she sees as potential captains for 2026.
“I don’t know really. I feel like – I honestly feel that Mel Reid would make a great captain. When I knew she was going to be one of the assistant captains this time round I was absolutely buzzing. Mel is one of my favorite people on this planet,” she said.
“She gets me; I get her. She’s so much fun. She is a good laugh. She can be serious when she needs to be. She brings a lot of the atmosphere to the team. I feel like she would be a great captain.
“And also Anna Nordqvist, but I feel like she should still be in the next Solheim Cup. I don’t know if you can have a playing captain.
“I don’t know really. I don’t take a look too much. It will be an interesting one.”
An inevitability
There does not appear to be a great need for Europe to move too far away from what they have done in recent years, with the US getting their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2017.
So turning to Mel Reid or Anna Nordqvist would make a lot of sense, given that they have been vice-captains under Pettersen, with Reid also proving to be part of Catriona Matthew’s backroom team.
Both players may have their sights set on playing in two years, with Nordqvist taking two points this time around. Reid meanwhile, played as recently as 2021, and has had a few comebacks during her career now so really should not be ruled out making the team as a player.
Certainly, it looks highly likely that the pair will do the role at some stage, so, as Hull suggests, it will be interesting to see who gets the nod for Netherlands.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
