Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup is a biennial team golf competition between the top professional women’s players from the United States and Europe, played in a match play format across three days.
What is the Solheim Cup?
The Solheim Cup is women’s golf’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup. Every two years, 12 players from Team USA and 12 from Team Europe meet at a rotating venue — alternating between courses in the United States and Europe — to compete for a 20-pound Waterford Crystal trophy.
The event was founded in 1990 by Karsten Solheim, the Norwegian-American engineer and founder of PING, who wanted to create a flagship international competition for women’s professional golf. The first edition was held at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, and the US team won it. Since then, the event has been held 19 times, with the US leading the all-time series 11 wins to 8 for Europe as of 2024.
Unlike regular LPGA Tour events, the Solheim Cup offers no prize money. Players earn ranking points and LPGA Tour exemptions for competing, but the trophy itself carries no financial reward. For many players, that makes representing their team feel more meaningful, not less.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for September 7–13 at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands — the first time the Netherlands has hosted the competition.
How the Solheim Cup works
The tournament runs over three days and follows match play rules throughout. In match play, the goal is to win individual holes rather than post the lowest total score. If a player wins more holes than her opponent can possibly catch before the 18th, the match ends early.
A total of 28 matches are played across the three days, with each match worth one point. A halved match (a tie) gives both teams half a point. The first team to reach 14.5 points wins the Cup. If the final score is 14–14, the team currently holding the Cup retains it.
Here’s how the three days break down:
| Day | Session | Format | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Friday) | Morning | Foursomes (alternate shot) | 4 |
| Day 1 (Friday) | Afternoon | Four-ball (best ball) | 4 |
| Day 2 (Saturday) | Morning | Foursomes (alternate shot) | 4 |
| Day 2 (Saturday) | Afternoon | Four-ball (best ball) | 4 |
| Day 3 (Sunday) | All day | Singles | 12 |
Foursomes (also called alternate shot): Two players share one ball. They take turns hitting until the hole is finished, with one player hitting from all odd-numbered tees and the other from all even-numbered tees. It’s demanding because every shot directly affects a teammate.
Four-ball (also called best ball): Two players each play their own ball throughout the hole, and the lower of the two scores counts for the team. This format encourages aggressive play, since one player can take risks while the other stays conservative.
Singles: On Sunday, every player competes in a one-on-one match. All 12 players from each team tee off, and the results often decide the Cup.
Both team captains set their lineups in secret. Captains choose not only which players compete in each session but also who they pair together in the team formats.
Solheim Cup vs. Ryder Cup
The two events are closely related. The Ryder Cup is the men’s equivalent, featuring the same three-day format, the same match play structure, and the same US vs. Europe setup. The Solheim Cup was deliberately modelled on it.
The key differences:
| Solheim Cup | Ryder Cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Players | Women (LPGA / LET) | Men (PGA Tour / DP World Tour) |
| Founded | 1990 | 1927 |
| Named after | Karsten Solheim (PING founder) | Samuel Ryder (seed merchant) |
| Prize money | None | None |
| Team size | 12 per side | 12 per side |
| Matches per edition | 28 | 28 |
| Schedule | Even years (from 2024) | Odd years (from 2025) |
The scheduling change in 2024 means the two events no longer overlap, giving each its own spotlight in the golf calendar.
Notable Solheim Cup players
A few players define what dominance looks like in this competition. Laura Davies of England holds the record for most Solheim Cup points of any player in the event’s history, accumulating 25 points across 12 appearances from 1990 to 2011. Annika Sorenstam of Sweden compiled a 22–11–4 record in eight Solheim Cups, earning 24 points for Team Europe. On the US side, Cristie Kerr is the all-time leading points scorer with 21 points across nine appearances.
In the modern era, Leona Maguire’s near-perfect run at the 2021 Solheim Cup stands out: she went 4.5 points from five matches for Team Europe at Inverness Club in Toledo. Caroline Hedwall of Sweden achieved a perfect 5–0 record for Europe at the 2013 edition in Colorado — still one of the best individual performances in the competition’s history.
Related Golf Terms
- Skull — A mishit where the leading edge strikes the middle of the ball, causing a low screaming shot.
- Slope rating — A number indicating how much more difficult a course is for a bogey golfer versus a scratch golfer.
- Snowman — A score of eight on a single hole, named for how 8 resembles a snowman.
- Smash factor — The ratio of ball speed to clubhead speed, measuring efficiency of impact.
- Slice — A shot that curves dramatically from left to right for a right-handed golfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has each team won the Solheim Cup?
As of 2024, the United States has won the Cup 11 times, and Europe has won it 8 times.
When is the next Solheim Cup?
The 2026 Solheim Cup is scheduled for September 7–13 at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands. It will be the 20th edition of the competition.
Does the Solheim Cup have a defending champion?
Yes. The US won the 2024 Solheim Cup 15.5–12.5 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia and heads into the 2026 edition as defending champions.
How do players qualify for the Solheim Cup?
US players qualify primarily through a points system based on LPGA Tour finishes, plus a set of captain’s picks. European players qualify through a combination of Ladies European Tour (LET) points, world rankings, and captain’s selections.
Is the Solheim Cup the same format as the Ryder Cup?
Yes. Both competitions use the same three-day match play format: foursomes and four-ball on days one and two, followed by 12 singles matches on day three.
Sources
- Wikipedia. “Solheim Cup.” Accessed May 2026.
- solheimcupusa.com. “About the Solheim Cup.” Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Monthly. “Solheim Cup Facts, History, Past Winners, and Format.” Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Compendium. “Golfers with the Most Matches Won in the Solheim Cup.” Accessed May 2026.
- CaddieHQ. “What Is the Solheim Cup in Golf?” Accessed May 2026.
- Fairway to Green. “What Is the Solheim Cup Format?” Accessed May 2026.
- Rolex Newsroom. “The Solheim Cup: The Pinnacle of Women’s Golf.” Accessed May 2026.
