Maguire survives missed cuts and controversy to headline Solheim Cup wildcard picks
Leona Maguire has retained her place in Europe’s Solheim Cup team despite a disappointing 2026, with the Irish golfer one of four wildcard picks named by Anna Nordqvist on Monday. Maguire joins three rookies – Julia López Ramirez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes – in completing the European side who will attempt to reclaim the trophy in the Netherlands next month.
A missed cut for Maguire in the Women’s British Open last week meant the 31-year-old had failed to play in the closing 36 holes of four from a possible five majors in 2026. In the one where she made the cut, the Women’s PGA Championship, Maguire tied 53rd. She started this week ranked 83rd in the world.
These numbers are striking for a player who was tipped for greatness at a young age. There is also the matter of the controversy that surrounded Maguire at the 2024 Solheim Cup when she admitted her limited play under the captain Suzann Pettersen proved a “bitter pill to swallow”. Maguire has enjoyed positive experiences in this arena in the past, however, having starred for Europe in the Solheim Cups of 2021 and 2023. The Irish golfer has also claimed eight and a half points from a dozen Solheim Cup matches.
“I would rather play alongside her than against her,” Nordqvist said of Maguire. “She is such a fierce competitor and will do anything for you on the team. I had the honour of playing with her in Spain [at the 2021 Solheim Cup]. Her matchplay record, as an amateur too, definitely helps. I’m excited to see what she can do.”
Maguire’s experience was clearly key to Nordqvist’s decision. Another blunt reality is that European options were not especially strong. “I love the Solheim Cup,” Maguire said. “It brings the best out of my game and I love being part of the team.”
Ramirez said she is “living the dream” after her maiden call-up. The 23-year-old from Málaga is yet to win a professional event. Nadaud did taste victory, at the Ladies European Tour event in Andalusia late last year. England’s Rhodes was the LET’s rookie of the year in 2025, when she won three times. Nordqvist hailed Rhodes as a “fierce competitor”.
Charley Hull, Esther Henseleit, Lottie Wood, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Céline Boutier, Carlota Ciganda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen sealed Europe’s automatic berths. Albeit more than a month has to pass until the Solheim Cup gets under way at Bernardus Golf, Nordqvist will have high hopes for Henseleit. The German was only beaten to the Women’s Open title in a playoff on Sunday by Shiho Kuwaki. In the second and defining extra hole at Royal Lytham and St Annes, Henseleit’s drive rebounded from the leg of a marshal and to the bottom of a gorse bush. Henseleit had no idea what had transpired when watching from the tee.
“I thought it was further left to be honest,” Henseleit said. “It must have gotten some kind of bad bounce. At least I still had a shot and could kind of get a good angle going into the green. I didn’t have to take an unplayable or something. But, probably a bit unlucky there. That’s just links golf.”
Angel Yin and Jennifer Kupcho secured spots in the US Solheim Cup team at the Women’s Open conclusion. Nelly Korda had already done likewise. Angela Stanford, the US captain, will name three captain’s picks after their qualification period ends in late August.
