LONDON — On Monday, Anna Nordqvist was named the captain for the European team in the upcoming Solheim Cup, which will take place in the Netherlands. She expressed that this position is “the greatest honor you can get as a golfer.”
The European team aims to win back the trophy after their defeat last year, where they lost to the United States with a score of 15½-12½ on American soil. This loss marked the first win for the U.S. team since 2017.
Nordqvist, a 37-year-old golfer from Sweden, has an impressive background as a three-time major champion and remains an active participant on the Ladies European Tour. She has previously served as a playing vice-captain in both the 2023 and 2024 Solheim Cup matches and has participated in this prestigious event nine times throughout her career.
Throughout her appearances, Nordqvist has established herself as one of the most successful competitors on the European team, having won the Solheim Cup five times and achieving 17 victories in a total of 35 matches.
“Regardless of whether we were victorious or not, the Solheim Cup has been a significant part of my career since my debut in 2009 in Chicago. The friendships I’ve built and the memories created during my nine matches make it incredibly special to have the chance to lead the European team in my tenth Solheim Cup,” she stated.
In a conversation with the Swedish news agency TT, Nordqvist revealed that she has been dealing with significant stress over the years due to producing high levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress. To manage her condition, she has pursued therapy and learned techniques for trauma management.
“It has impacted my entire system on the golf course, and at times I felt as if I was not fully present,” she mentioned. “There were tournaments that I don’t even recall participating in, including the Solheim Cup in Spain (in 2023), where I remember only a few holes.”
Additionally, she disclosed that she underwent surgery in November after doctors found a large cyst and a tumor in her abdomen. While these turned out to be benign, the experience caused her considerable anxiety.
“Today, I can confidently say that I feel very well,” Nordqvist, whose last major title was the British Open in 2021, told TT. “However, reaching this point has been a long and challenging journey.”
The 2026 Solheim Cup is set to be hosted at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, a village located in the southern part of the Netherlands, not far from the historical city of Den Bosch. This event will mark the first time that the Netherlands has served as the host for the Solheim Cup.
