This week, we have already gone over the players from Europe who are locks to make the 2026 Solheim Cup and the ones who are probably going to make it, now, we will look at the players who will maybe make the team. These are players that still have work to do in order to earn their way on the team. With some potential turnover on this roster coming off a loss, this is a pretty lengthy list.
ESTHER HENSELEIT
Henseleit certainly seems to have a good chance to return to the team after making her debut in 2024. Henseleit went 1-1-1 but looked rock solid after her nervy first match out. Henseleit has tons of talent and is still relatively young for the European squad at 26-years-old.
MADELENE SAGSTRÖM
Sagström got a huge boost to her case this past week at Shadow Creek, going undefeated in match play for the week, winning her second event. Sagström doesn’t have the strongest record in the Solheim Cup at 5-6-1, but has been 3-2-1 in her last two appearances. Experience and a friendship with Anna Nordqvist certainly will not hurt.
ALBANE VALENZUELA
Valenzuela was probably the last player on the team in 2024, and really didn’t show much that will help her get another spot. Valenzuela played just two matches, going 0-1-1 and surrendered the Solheim Cup winning putt to Lilia Vu. Valenzuela is still a top 75 player in the world and should keep herself in contention for a spot.
EMILY KRISTINE PEDERSEN
Will this be the year that Pedersen is left off the team? Clearly players and captains love having her around, and she has provided four points in the last two Solheim Cups playing all five sessions both times. While she struggles in singles, she does do well in the partner formats. Her biggest issue? She’s ranked No. 149 in the world and is falling fast.
GEMMA DRYBURGH
Dryburgh played in the Solheim Cup just once, and was a victim of Suzanne Pedersen’s erratic and imbalanced way of using the players. Dryburgh just played two matches and went 0-0-2. About as middle of the road of a performance you could have. While she’s probably a bit more of a long shot than others here, I imagine she is still in Nordqvist’s mind.
INGRID LINDBLAD
One of the greatest, and most underrated, college players in recent memory will have her first chance to make a run at a Solheim Cup team. Lindblad has shown some great flashes in her young career already and is only 24-years-old. Getting some youth on the roster could be essential for Europe.
NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN
Koerstz Madsen has quietly been playing some really good golf over the last two years. While she has only played in one Solheim Cup, and went 1-1-1, she has four top 15 finishes in five starts this season and ranks top 10 in strokes gained total on tour. For an at times inconsistent player, we need to see this play sustained more, but she certainly looks in strong form.
CHIARA TAMBURLINI
While many LPGA fans might not know the name Chiara Tamburlini, they should get familiar. Tamburlini has won three times on the Ladies European Tour in the past year. The 25-year-old from Switzerland could get one of the LET slots if she continues this level of strong play.
MIMI RHODES
This may be reactionary, but Rhodes has won the last two events on the LET at the time of publishing. The young Englishwoman could turn out a big season in 2025 that could lock her into the team relatively quick.
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