Solheim Cup: Eight Team Europe automatic qualifiers confirmed

Suzann Pettersen’s Solheim Cup team is almost complete.

The Norwegian captain now has four wildcard selections to make after eight automatic qualifiers were confirmed for her European side to take on Team USA at Finca Cortesin next month.

Qualifying for the biennial clash ended after the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland on Sunday and Pettersen has a strong mix of young talent, in-form players and experience in her side.

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Celine Boutier, the standout European player of the season, will spearhead the team as they aim to create history by winning their third Solheim Cup in a row.

The Evian Championship winner and Sweden’s Maja Stark both qualified for the showpiece by finishing in the top two places in the LET European Solheim Points list.

Meanwhile, Charley Hull, Leona Maguire, Georgia Hall, Linn Grant, Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist all secured their spots on the team via their positions in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

English duo Hull and Hall are now Solheim Cup veterans, while Irishwoman Maguire emerged as the star in the 2021 victory in Ohio.

Five-time LET winner Grant has ensured there will be a distinctly Swedish feel to the team alongside Nordqvist, who will be competing as a playing vice-captain.

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Meanwhile, Ciganda will enjoy the home support as the Solheim Cup heads to Spain for the very first time.

Pettersen now has the unenviable task of naming her four captain’s picks, with Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh among those in contention for a spot in the team.

The Solheim Cup great will name her four selections for the showdown against Team USA on Tuesday as the highly-anticipated battle draws closer.

Team Europe automatic qualifiers

Celine Boutier
Maja Stark
Charley Hull
Leona Maguire
Georgia Hall
Linn Grant
Carlota Ciganda
Anna Nordqvist

Captain’s picks contenders

Madelene Sagstrom
Gemma Dryburgh
Nana Koertz Madsen
Mel Reid
Jodi Ewart Shadoff
Carmen Alonso
Stephanie Medaow
Albane Valenzuela

The Solheim Cup takes place at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia from September 22-24.

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.