7 contenders to be next US Solheim Cup captain

“Unfinished business” was the winning mantra for Stacy Lewis and Team USA at the 2024 Solheim Cup.

The Americans had not won a match against Europe since 2017 – but the impressive Lewis guided the Stars and Stripes to a thrilling 15.5-12.5 victory at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.

The result marks an impressive end to Lewis’ captaincy, who was credited for changing the culture inside the locker room with a meticulous but engaging approach to the role.

• Solheim Cup results: How Team USA regained the trophy

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But there is still more unfinished business. Can the USA retain the cup on away soil as the contest heads to the Netherlands in 2026? And who will take charge?

Team USA Solheim Cup captaincy contenders

Here are some candidates who could realistically take the US Solheim Cup captaincy reins in 2026, with a couple wildcards thrown in the mix too…

Angela Stanford

Stanford appears the clear favourite at this stage. She has been vice-captain for the last three Solheim Cups and played in six matches. Her experience could be key away from home.

Paula Creamer

With 19.5 points accrued across 34 matches, Creamer boasts one of the best records in Solheim Cup history. She was an inspirational player during her run of not missing the contest between 2005 and 2017. After debuting as an assistant this time around, Creamer’s time will come.

Brittany Linciome

Another of Lewis’ vice-captains in Virginia, Linciome has similar experience to the legendary Creamer in these matches, winning four Solheim Cups as a player.

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Michelle Wie West

Wie West’s only experience in a leadership role came in the 2021 defeat in Toledo where she was an assistant to losing captain Pat Hurst. Five times a player in this contest, she certainly has the profile to be a fascinating Solheim Cup captain.

Morgan Pressel

Pressel will be 38 when the next Solheim Cup comes around, the same age as Lewis was when she led the US to the 2023 draw at Finca Cortesin. With 12.5 points across her 22 matches as a player, Pressel has now been a vice-captain twice and is a shoo-in for the hot seat at some stage.

Lexi Thompson

What a story this would be. Thompson, of course, is retiring from full-time playing at the end of the 2024 and ended what could be her Solheim Cup swansong as a player with victory. But it still seems inconceivable that – with all her experience – the 29-year-old won’t lead the US one day. So why not 2026?

Cristie Kerr

The 46-year-old competed in nine Solheim Cups in her garlanded career but has played a limited schedule of late and could transition into a leadership role. With the fourth most Solheim Cup points in history to her name, there would be few more esteemed captain choices than Kerr.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.