Solheim Cup – Anna Nordqvist’s captain’s column: The aim of the European team to look at Bernardus Golf and the qualification race | Golf News
I am from the Netherlands and Bernardus Golf, where we had a team practice two days ago.
With two qualifying tournaments to go and a lot on the line, I brought 11 girls to the Solheim Cup venue this week to play the course and hang out together.
I’m delighted to see so much work and planning come to fruition and now with only two months to go until the Solheim Cup, you can tell everyone that you’re serious about it – both excitement and anticipation are building.
I was joined by my vice-captain Anne van Dam and team assistant Becky Brewerton in the Netherlands. It really takes a village to make this happen and I’m very grateful to everyone who offers help and support to Team Europe.
I love everyone’s energy and enthusiasm that comes here, especially coming here straight after playing our fourth major of the year, the Amundi Evian Championship, last week!
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Highlights from the final round of the Amundi Evian Championship, where Haeran Ryu had an incredible win.
As a European, we all welcome this time of year to “finally” return home to many European tournaments and be able to return home between tournaments.
We’ve had great European success in Evian and I’m looking forward to following the girls at the final two qualifying events, the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open.
The squad will be finalized on Monday 3rd August, when my four shortlisted players are announced in the Sky Sports studios in London that day. I have a lot of tough calls ahead of me to make!
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Take a look back at some of Anna Nordqvist’s best photos from her past Solheim Cup matches
I will bring you both good news for the players who make it and not so good news for the players who don’t find a place in the team this year. Now we are very close to the event and that is very exciting.
Anna Nordqvist’s column is provided by the Ladies European Tour ahead of the Solheim Cup, live from September 11-13 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream without a contract.
The European team as it stands and the qualifications explained
The European team consists of the top two players on the European Solheim Cup Team points list, the top six players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who have not yet qualified, and four captains.
The European Solheim Cup Team points standings are based on points earned at events sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour, with Charley Hull and Chiara Tamburlini currently occupying those positions.
The next six players available according to their world rankings are Lottie Woad (world No. 5), Maja Stark (world No. 24), Celine Boutier (world No. 31), Carlota Ciganda (world No. 43), Linn Grant (world No. 45) and Esther Henseleit (world no. 51).
Next week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and AIG Women’s Open are the only qualifying events left to earn points, with Helen Briem (132 points) and Agathe Laisne (111 points) the next two on the European Solheim Cup team list.
Nanna Koerstz Madsen (No 61) and Leona Maguire (No 82) are the next two players on the international list, with Nordqvist confirming his squad next month. Team USA will name its roster after the CPKC Women’s Open on August 23.
