European captain Suzann Pettersen has revealed the full list of 12 players who will represent Europe at the 2024 Solheim Cup, which will be held at the Robert Jones Golf Club in Virgina, USA from September 13-15.
The conclusion of the AIG Women's Open at St Andrews on Sunday ended the qualifying window, with the eight players who qualified for the title being Charley Hull, Esther Henseleit, Celine Boutier, Leona Maguire, Carlota Ciganda, Maja Stark, Linn Grant and Madelene Sagström.
They are now joined by four players selected by the captain, namely Emily Kristine Pedersen (Den), Georgia Hall (Eng), Anna Nordqvist (Swe) and Albane Valenzuela (Swi).
Europe is chasing history and hopes to retain the trophy for a fourth consecutive time in 2019 and 2021, as well as a tie for Spain in 2023 to retain the trophy for the last time.
There will be a second player on the European team with Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela selected to play in her first Solheim Cup along with fellow rookie Esther Henseleit.
It will be the fifth consecutive Solheim Cup at Georgia Hall, but the first time as captain after that, it has been a disappointing season.
“I love being part of Team Europe, and it's always good to represent Europe,” said Hall. “Winning the last three and being a part of that, you always want to do it again.
“I'm glad that Suzann chose me, and I hope to bring my experience to the US in just a few weeks.”
Nordqvist will be playing as vice-captain again, after being in that role in 2023, and will become the Swede's most decorated player in the competition with nine appearances.
“There is no greater honor than representing Europe in the Solheim Cup, so I am very happy to have been selected to play in my ninth Solheim Cup,” commented Nordqvist. “This is beyond my childhood dreams.
“I've enjoyed being involved as vice-captain for the past two years and learned how much work goes into this event behind the scenes and I'm looking forward to putting it together.”
This will be Pedersen's fourth Solheim Cup appearance, having made his debut in 2017, as well as being part of the team in 2021 and 2023.
“I am very happy to be re-elected,” said Pedersen. “I love Solheim, I love club golf and I'm proud to play for Europe again! I've always looked up to Suzann and I'm excited to be playing in the Solheim Cup again on American soil.”
FIRST SOLHEIM CUP PLAYER FROM SWITZERLAND
Valenzuela will make history in September as he becomes the first Swiss player to represent Europe in the Solheim Cup.
The 26-year-old attended the LET Q-School in 2022 with the aim of gaining LET membership to qualify for Team Europe and after more than 18 months he has achieved his dream.
“It's surreal, and a dream come true,” Valenzuela said. “I wanted to be in the team since I was young. I played in the PING Junior Solheim Cup, and I had stars in my eyes and I was looking up to these girls and thinking that one day it could be me. The truth is that it has become a reality and now I get to be in that group. I'm happy, I'm proud, I'm happy – all the emotions!”
Speaking about his four nominees, captain Pettersen said: “Georgia has already proven herself to be a Solheim Cup enthusiast with her previous experience and is a player you want in your team.
“Anna has experience, she has a good record in the Solheim Cup that speaks for itself, and she knows what it takes.
“Emily is a living and breathing Solheim Cup player. You have so much love and experience, I know what I'm getting with Emily. He brings a lot to the team and is a team player.
“It is great to bring Albane to the team, he has played solid golf in the last two years and especially this year he has shown that he deserves a place in this team. He is a good striker of the ball and brings a lot of energy to the team room.”
TEAM USA STRONG MARK
Team USA captain Stacy Lewis will announce her three captains on Tuesday, and the nine shortlisted players are Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, Lauren Coughlin, Ally Ewing, Allsen Corpuz, Megan Khang, Andrea Lee, Rose Zhang and Alison Lee.
“I am happy that the group has been completed. Most of these workers are returning from 2023, so many have experience,” said Lewis. “We have five qualifiers for the AIG Women's Open weekend, and I'm delighted to have Megan and Andrea back. They were big parts of last year's success.”
“I'm also very happy with Alison Lee's return to the Solheim Cup, with a big gap between two Solheim Cups,” added Lewis. “It's been nine years since the last one and I'm happy for him to finish it again, have a good experience and do it at home.”
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