Three rookies among Europe's four captain's picks for 2026 Solheim

The picks are in and, as promised, European captain Anna Nordqvist did not select herself, though her recent form and resume certainly warranted it.

After Esther Henseleit’s dramatic playoff loss at the AIG Women’s British Open on Sunday, the German bumped Chiara Tamburlini out of one of two automatic spots on the European points list – by a single point.

In the end, Tamburlini, who hasn’t shown good form of late, wasn’t picked.

Nordqvist went with the experienced Leona Maguire, the lion of the 2021 victory and a leader in Spain in 2023. While Maguire has struggled this season, a share of eighth at the Scottish showed some positive momentum.

The three other captain’s picks are all rookies, giving Nordqvist four new faces on this year’s team: Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain, France’s Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes of England.

“It’s so cool! I have a lot of respect for Anna and trust her decisions,” said the long-bombing López Ramirez in a release. “I’m living the dream right now. This is what you dream of when you’re a kid to be on the team and be able to experience it and all the big crowds. I’m on cloud nine. I wanted to get there and the fact I’ve achieved this dream super quick is amazing. I’m so excited.”

Nadaud, a rookie on the LPGA, has played the most consistent golf among those in the running. The 21-year-old turned pro out of high school, a stark contrast to the majority of the European team who almost all went to American universities. Nadaud has one title on the LET.

Mimi Rhodes played collegiate golf at Wake Forest and won three times on the LET last season. A member of the 2019 Junior Solheim Cup team, Rhodes was on the winning GB&I team with Lottie Woad at the 2024 Curtis Cup.

Lopez Ramirez, one of the longest players on the LPGA, was a standout at Mississippi State who played in the final group of the U.S. Women’s Open last year alongside eventual winner Maja Stark. She has six top-25 finishes this season on the LPGA.

Age: 31

World Ranking: 79

Solheim Cup appearances: 3 (2021, 2023, 2024)

Solheim Cup record: 8-3-1

Qualified via: Captain’s pick

Nordqvist says: “Leona has proved herself at the Solheim Cup, she has a huge passion for the European team and her record speaks for itself. She is a player you want on your team especially in matchplay and I’m thrilled to pick her.

Age: 24

World Ranking: 92

Solheim Cup appearances: Rookie

Solheim Cup record: 0

Qualified via: Captain’s pick

Nordqvist says: “Since turning professional, Mimi has impressed me with her performances, winning three times on the LET last year and has played on the LPGA Tour. She is an experienced matchplay player and is a fierce competitor.”

Age: 21

World Ranking: 86

Solheim Cup appearances: Rookie

Solheim Cup record: 0

Qualified via: Captain’s pick

Nordqvist says: “Nastasia is a great young player who has been getting better and better in the qualifying period. After getting her first win on the LET, she is having a solid rookie season on the LPGA and is deserving of a spot on the team.”

Age: 23

World Ranking: 84

Solheim Cup appearances: Rookie

Solheim Cup record: 0

Qualified via: Captain’s pick

Nordqvist says: “Julia has really impressed me since turning professional. She has a great personality and she is a great ball-striker, very passionate and will bring great energy to the European team.”

Beth Ann Nichols is a senior writer for Golfweek covering the LPGA and all things women’s golf.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Three rookies among Europe’s four captain’s picks for 2026 Solheim