U.S. Leans on 4 Proven Pairings for 2026 Solheim Cup as Europe Weighs 4 Rookies
Updated
Updated · golfchannel.com · Sep 9
U.S. Leans on 4 Proven Pairings for 2026 Solheim Cup as Europe Weighs 4 Rookies
3 articles · Updated · golfchannel.com · Sep 9
Summary
Four U.S. pairings from recent Solheim Cups are in play at Bernardus Golf, giving captain Angela Stanford roughly half her likely team combinations with prior success heading into Friday.
Two of the clearest American options are Nelly Korda-Allisen Corpuz and Andrea Lee-Rose Zhang, while Megan Khang’s versatility and Angel Yin’s limited play since June shape the rest of the lineup.
Seven European returners give Anna Nordqvist experience, but Europe’s reusable partnerships are thinner after 2024, with only Charley Hull-Esther Henseleit and a handful of 2023 combinations offering proven points.
Four European rookies could force fresh combinations, especially around world No. 7 Lottie Woad and Carlota Ciganda, who practiced with Julia Lopez Ramirez, Mimi Rhodes and Natasia Nadaud this week.
Friday’s opening session will test whether U.S. continuity outweighs Europe’s newer look after the Americans’ 3-point win in Virginia two years ago.