With both Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis serving as captains for back-to-back Solheim Cups in 2023 and 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising to see new faces at the helm for both teams in 2026.
On the European side, no captain has had more than two stints since Mickey Walker headed the first four Solheims. On the U.S. side, Juli Inkster became the first to serve three terms from 2015-19.
The 2026 Solheim Cup will take place Sept. 11-13 at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
So, who’s in line to lead?
Madelene Sagstrom and Anna Nordqvist of Team Europe on the first green during the Friday Fourball matches against Team United States during the first round of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Virginia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Well, there’s a general feeling the job is too big now for someone to step in without having first served as an assistant captain, so that narrows down the list of possibilities.
Should Anna Nordqvist be ready to relinquish her playing duties, she’d be the obvious next choice. Nordqvist, a three-time major winner who has played on nine Solheim Cup teams, served as a playing vice captain for Pettersen the past two cups. The 37-year-old Swede was a captain’s pick in 2024.
Mel Reid, a vice captain in 2024, is another possibility. The 36-year-old Englishwoman has talked about slowing down her schedule in recent years and worked some for Golf Channel in 2024.
Assistant Captain for Team Europe Mel Reid talks with Team Europe on the 15th green during the first round of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Virginia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Karen Stupples, a major winner and longtime Golf Channel analyst and on-course reporter, should be on the short-list to be an assistant captain in 2026. The 51-year-old recently served as an assistant captain to Catriona Matthew at the recent Curtis Cup at Sunningdale, where Great Britain and Ireland beat the U.S. in a thrilling contest.
Laura Davies has been a vice captain at the last four cups but still has no interest in the top job, though she has said in the past she would if the cup was ever held in England. (Amazingly, the Solheim has never been staged in England.)
While the list of obvious candidates seems to be relatively short at the moment on the European side, the U.S. is rich with options.
Assistant Captain of the United States team Angela Stanford prior to the Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 12, 2024 in Gainesville, Virginia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Angela Stanford, a three-time assistant captain, seems the most obvious choice for 2026. The 46-year-old major winner, who is set to retire at the end of this season, represented the U.S. in six Solheims. Stanford has also worked for Golf Channel as an on-course reporter and, should she return to that role in 2026, will be still well-involved with the tour.
Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome also served as assistant captains for Lewis in 2024. All three major winners have extensive Solheim Cup resumes. Michelle Wie West, now pregnant with her second child, served as an assistant captain in 2021 and is a slam dunk to hold the post sometime down the road.
Lewis called on the next captain to make sure Lexi Thompson comes on as an assistant for 2026. Thompson announced earlier this year she was stepping away from full-time competition after this season.
“Lexi needs to be there in the team room,” said Lewis. “She needs to be around these girls. She’s just great energy to have around.”