It is now official, the first major decision by Anna Nordqvist. The newly appointed European captain of the Solheim Cup has announced that Swedish Caroline Hedwall and English Mel Reid will be vice-captains at the Solheim Cup, which will be held at Bernardus Golf (Netherlands) from 7 to 13 September 2026.
Hedwall has represented Europe on five occasions, winning or retaining the cup in all but one. This will be her first time as a vice-captain, commenting: “I was very excited when Anna invited me to be one of her vice-captains in 2026, as the Solheim Cup has undoubtedly been one of the most important moments of my career. Anna and I have shared so many experiences, both on the Tour and in European teams, that I feel we are very aligned in our thinking about how to help ensure the European team is able to perform at its best. I think that, together with Mel, we understand each other very well and we are all fierce competitors, so I am sure we are going to work very well together for the good of our team.”
Hedwall, 35, and Reid, 37, have been teammates in the European team with Nordqvist, who is also 37: “I have known Caroline and Mel since I was 15 and 17, so I have had the pleasure of playing alongside them throughout my career. We have very good memories as teammates and as friends, so I am delighted to have them by my side now as we take on a new challenge in our golfing careers as captains in the Netherlands. Both are very experienced Solheim Cup players, fiercely competitive and fantastic teammates, and I know the Europe team will be stronger with them on board. I am looking forward to sailing with them in the next stage of the Solheim Cup 2026.”
Nordqvist was vice-captain in 2023 and again in 2024, in what was her ninth time representing Europe in the Solheim Cup. She has been on the winning side five times and is one of the most decorated European players. A winner of three majors, she has accumulated six other LPGA titles and four LET titles, including the Dutch Ladies Open in 2022.
The last European edition in 2023 took place in Spain at Finca Cortesín, ending with a dramatic 14-14 tie with Europe retaining the Solheim Cup while the USA triumphed 15 ½ -12 ½ in the last instalment in Virginia.
Since its inauguration in 2018, Bernardus has hosted three editions of the KLM Dutch Open on the DP World Tour (2021-2023) and is ready to provide a spectacular setting for the Solheim Cup 2026. As one of the leading events in women’s sport, spectators can expect an exceptional experience where sport, entertainment, and hospitality blend seamlessly at the highest level.
