SOLHEIM CUP

September 10, 2026

Anna Nordqvist

Angela Stanford

Bernardus

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We're delighted to welcome our two captains to announce the draw for tomorrow. The one thing to note, this is embargoed, and you must not break the embargo before all the parings have been announced at the opening ceremony. So the minute Anna announces her parings for the first match, you can post. But anything posted before will obviously be very -- like, an absolute disaster for the live broadcast. So if everyone can respect the embargo, we would much appreciate that.

So welcome to, obviously, our U.S. captain, Angela. We'll have you kick off proceeding to announce your first pair. This will go off at 7:40.

ANGELA STANFORD: Our first group will be Allisen Corpuz and Nelly Korda.

THE MODERATOR: Anna?

ANNA NORDQVIST: I didn't even have any time to write (laughing). Charley Hull and Lottie Woad.

THE MODERATOR: We will put the pairings round straight after the press conference as well. Thank you.

Angela, for 7:52.

ANGELA STANFORD: We have Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin.

ANNA NORDQVIST: We've got Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Celine Boutier.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

For 8:04?

ANGELA STANFORD: We have Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan.

ANNA NORDQVIST: And we got Esther Henseleit and Leona Maguire.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

And for the final one, Angela, for 8:16?

ANGELA STANFORD: Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho.

ANNA NORDQVIST: We've got Maja Stark and Linn Grant.

THE MODERATOR: Before I open the floor to questions, Angela, first to you, how hard was this decision? Talk a little bit about who you picked to go out first and also who you've had to leave out and why.

ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, I think most of ours, we've -- it's just been about how we've played the golf course and how our players fit the golf course. I think with Nelly and Allisen's history, they seem to have a nice rapport about 'em, so felt like they have earned the right to go out first here this year.

THE MODERATOR: And Anna.

ANNA NORDQVIST: I've always said pairings are hard because it's such a big picture. You got to look at it for, like, three -- or two days now. So, yeah, I mean, we -- I feel like most of the girls on the European team, given that we all play together, and we had Nanna and Celine, they wanted to play the team event on the LPGA together this year, and they really liked the pairing and they're good friends, so I didn't see why not to pick them.

Maja and Linn, I mean, they played so much amateur golf together and they're really good friends, so they know each other really well, so I think that was another pairing that felt really natural.

THE MODERATOR: I think before you said this is great. You've got so many different opportunities and so many different pairings that you could have. Like, did you lean vice captains for this decision or were you pretty clear from the beginning?

ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, I think everything you do is a bit of a team effort -- a team event. I mean, probably Angela, it's the same thing. I mean, there's 12 great players on both teams and you can really probably pair anyone with anyone, really, and it's going to be a great match. It's obviously a very hard choice, like, who you're sitting out and who you're playing.

But I think you've got to look at it like what's possible for the two days and, you know, try to make sure, you know, you find those pairings that the players enjoy and you try your best and we'll see what happens.

THE MODERATOR: Angela, have you had pairings in mind coming into this day or have you just with the vibe of the team really changed your mind?

ANGELA STANFORD: No, I mean, we've been tracking 'em before we got here, and we had a pretty good idea, and then we just kind of let 'em go this week and play the golf course and make sure kind of our gut feelings and our numbers were matching up. And then the players gave us feed back, and it's been, you know, kind of what we wanted. So really fortunate in that, that we had a pretty good idea of what we wanted to do and the feedback from the players has been really good.

THE MODERATOR: Great. And we'll open the floor to questions.

Q. Anna, how hard did Charley have to convince you to pair her with Lottie? I think she's been talking about it since Lottie had a potential to be on the team.

ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, I mean, Charley loves -- she's been such a great player. I mean, I think this is her eighth Solheim Cup, and I feel like over the years, like, Solheim Cup's really grown on her. And now her and Carlota are the most experienced ones, both doing eighth this year. It's just amazing. She's been buzzing, she's been so excited. She got here on Monday and it's just -- she's just a really fun player to be around, you know, her banter and everything about her. Like, you can't wait to play her soon enough. I mean, as soon as she gets here, she's ready to tee it up on the Friday.

So obviously, her and Lottie, they've got to play quite a bit on tour this year, so I think they were both very excited to be paired with each other.

Q. Angela, what makes Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan such a comparable pair in terms of this format?

ANGELA STANFORD: I think a couple things. I mean, for us to get Lindy out there in her first match, Andrea is very steady. Andrea's one of the best drivers of the golf ball on the tour -- she is the best driver of the golf ball on tour. So to get her -- get Lindy out there with her and have some steadiness, that was key. And just their demeanor, I mean, they're both -- I think, you know, they're pretty even-keeled.

But Andrea now, I kind of see her as a veteran. So just kind of get Lindy out there and get her feet wet. Yeah, in the way Lindy matches up with Andrea statistically was really good, so we felt like that would be a really good combination.

Q. Angela, checking in on Angel again. Is the expectation still that she will play? Obviously, you've been planning just in case.

ANGELA STANFORD: What time is it? We've got about two hours for her to tell me -- no, she's done a great job this week. She's put in the time. I think everybody was kind of in the same boat, me included, coming over here. I didn't really know exactly what she was capable of.

I talked to Juli Inkster before I came over here, and she said, Look, she promised me she was going to work her tail off to get ready and she has. I'm one that's big on actions, and not words, and I think she played 18 holes every day but today, and I kept wondering, Should you be doing that? And she's like, I need reps, I need reps. And I'm like, All right. Well, I'm trusting that you're doing what you need to do. And I think her teammates have really respected that.

Q. Angela, Allisen and Nelly have a very good record in this. Did that make it a very straightforward selection there?

ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, I feel like if I didn't put those two out, I would be questioned (laughing). I feel like the whole world knew that they were coming.

Q. Does that make it quite a strange dynamic for that particular thing, then? There's, like, a different pressure there.

ANGELA STANFORD: I mean, I would be worried if it weren't these two players. Look, Allisen Corpuz is -- we can talk about Nelly and we can talk about her being the No. 1 player in the world, but don't sleep on Allisen. Allisen, I've called her the backbone of our team. She's pretty tough. Yeah, so that dynamic, there's a lot of good things going on in that pairing that, you know, they just complement each other really well.

Q. Anna, so many times you've been on that first tee as a player. How are you anticipating going down there and sending your team out tomorrow morning?

ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, it's definitely going to be a different feeling. I came on Monday and I saw the players starting to go through the tunnel. I'm, like, I'm going to miss this. Because I think that's the best thing that ever happens to you in your career, getting to hit that first tee shot.

But I think being able to embrace it differently this year knowing that you have to zoom out and, like, focus on your shot not to make contact, it's probably going to be nice to be able to embrace it and be there in a supportive role.

I think that's what I found this week. It's not just always about you. There's so many ways to embrace golf and so many ways you can find golf rewarding. I think this week is seeing things come together and girls thriving and being happy and, you know, ultimately getting that Solheim Cup experience that I always spoke so highly of and that I'm forever grateful that I got to be a part of for nine years -- or nine Cups.

So coming Sunday, I'm always going to look back at this week and be very grateful for even getting the opportunity to captain such an amazing team.

Q. With I spoke to Maja earlier, and she said she and some players were watching the Walker Cup over the weekend. Were you amongst them?

ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, we had it on the big screen in the team room. It was quite exciting. Everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing, and we were watching those final holes and it was amazing. I mean, obviously, it could have gone either way. So it was really cool to see kind of them battling out and also even watching the Junior Solheim Cuppers.

I mean, the U.S. had an amazing start on the first day, and then just to see how close it got to the end. I mean, they just proved to anyone, like, anything can really happen. We kind of had one of those battles in 2015 in Germany. Europe was leading quite a bit, and then U.S.A. made such a huge comeback.

So I feel like I've seen both sides, and I can relate to both sides, I mean, as hard as it is, as rewarding as it is. But I mean, golf is a sport where really anything can happen. So I think that's why match play is going to be amazing, and getting to play match play on this course, I don't think neither Angela nor I can wait to put 'em off the first tee tomorrow.

Q. Angela, the U.S. has kind of flipped the script on foursomes in recent Cups and has had great success. What do you think has been the secret to that?

ANGELA STANFORD: I mean, it's the data, the stats to it. I think it's made us look at it through a different lens. And, you know, Justin Ray's been great for us. I love numbers. I think numbers don't lie to you. So, yeah, I would say that because, really, it started in Spain. That was kind of the first time we started using stats and data to figure out the foursomes, and it's helped us.

You still have to have that little bit of chemistry too. So I think the players have been very open to our suggestions as captains, but then we also are very open to their feedback with personalities and stuff like that.

Q. Has their feedback caused you to change plans?

ANGELA STANFORD: (Laughing.) We've had a couple times where you want two players to play together because number-wise they should be off the charts, but they don't want to be out there together. Not this year, but we've had it happen in the past. Yeah, but that's just the nature of it and it's okay.

Q. Anna, obviously, Lottie is going out, but for your other rookies, what's kind of your philosophy on when you'll get them out there?

ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, I think it's in the captain's agreement, right, you have to play every single player on the day one this year. I don't know if that's been in the past. But obviously, who is not playing in the morning is going to -- per that captain's agreement is playing in the afternoon. You have such a fun group of rookies this year.

Julia, I think she's the longest one on tour. So I think she loves best ball and she's loved pulling out the driver. So I think a lot of people are going to be excited to see her, you know, get that driver out there and play in the afternoon.

Lottie, it's hard to believe it's going to be her first Solheim Cup and that she's only really been on tour for a good, what, 12, 14 months as a pro. She certainly doesn't act like it. But it's just so cool to be out there and see how great these players are at such a young age. Nastasia is only 21 years old, and she has the world ahead of her and she's going to most likely play in a lot of Solheim Cups.

So it's just kind of cool seeing those players start their journey. I remember my first year was 2009. Helen Alfredsson talked about it at the celebration get-together last night. She was scared of her teammates. I'm, like, my Solheim Cup I was really scared of my teammates because I got to play with all my childhood heroes, Beany, Laura Davies, Alfi.

So it's just amazing how you can be in different parts of the Solheim Cup journey, whether you're a rookie or a more experienced one, but we all have been through different stages. So I can't wait for all the rookies to experience what the first tee is like and what it is like to play in the Solheim Cup tomorrow.

Q. We have the best players in the world in the first match. I think we're going to get fireworks from the beginning. What's your feeling with this match -- first match and the importance as well of this first match?

ANNA NORDQVIST: I think being on the first tee at 7:40 is going to be the place to be in the golfing world tomorrow.

ANGELA STANFORD: I think it's great for women's golf. I mean, obviously, we don't talk about this stuff. I mean, we didn't compare notes before we came in here, but this is what makes it awesome. You're going to see four of the best players in the world playing match play, playing alternate shot. Yeah, I mean, that's what makes this event so awesome and so different. It's great for women's golf.

Q. The rivalry, I don't think we need to hype up the rivalry anymore on the Solheim Cup, but there have been drama and controversies because that's the nature of Solheim Cup golf. Have you spoken with your teams about maybe how to approach, how to cope with a moment if something gets a bit heated or there's something controversial, like a gimmie or something like that? Have you spoken to your players about those potential situations?

ANNA NORDQVIST: No, but I think me and Angela, we played -- I don't know how many years on tour. So early on in the captaincy, when we both knew we were going to be captains, I think we had a mutual agreement that this week, you know, yes, there's going to be a winner at the end of the week, there's going to be some moments out there that might feel like there's a lot of emotions, there's a lot of adrenaline running, there's a lot of things going on.

But at the end of the week what Karsten Louis Solheim ultimately created is a stage for women's golf to thrive. And coming Sunday, women's golf is going to win this week and I think that's the way we both approach the captaincy and the way we're approaching the week.

Q. Could I clarify that captains agreement? Anna you said everyone has to play tomorrow. Do they have to play tomorrow or before Sunday?

ANGELA STANFORD: I think it's before Sunday.

ANNA NORDQVIST: Oh, is it? Okay. Maybe. Sorry.

Q. That's okay. I just wanted to be clear about which way it is.

ANGELA STANFORD: Let me see. Yeah, I think it's just once before Sunday. Yeah. Yeah.

Q. Anna, I think I'm right in saying this is the first Solheim Cup that hasn't had an involvement from Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam, Catriona Matthew, or Suzann Pettersen?

ANNA NORDQVIST: That is not true because Laura Davies is one of our team helpers and she's been the first one on the bus and the first one on the buggy in the morning shuttling people around. So she will be commentating this week, but she made sure to not get the early shift so she can be there for us.

So Laura's been part of every single Solheim Cup that I've been part of, and I think she is the Solheim Cup and she is everything that Solheim Cup stands for. So she was one of the first phone calls I made, and she responded straight away, and she was the first one to be like, I can't wait to be there.

And she's gone way over and beyond this week just doing everything for the team, having her in the team room. The boys are quite impressed with her dart skills in the team room. But I mean, just having her there -- I mean, it's easy to talk about legends, but she's a legend and I'm just very fortunate to have known her.

Suzann Pettersen came out today and supported the team. She's been very supportive in the whole journey. Annika, I know she's supporting from the U.S., but she will not be here this week. But, yeah, Suzann and Laura are probably our two biggest supporters because they know what the journey is about and what the Solheim Cup's all about.

Q. Without giving away team room secrets, what are each of your overarching messages for each of your squads?

ANGELA STANFORD: I mean, I think from the beginning -- look, this is always an interesting week for these players because they've played by themselves and they're individuals and it's always this mystery of how you pull these 12 phenomenal athletes together. And my thing's been, you know, let's perfect what we do individually, and then we're going to do little things to make it feel like a team.

But look, I can sit here and tell you that I've done something. I don't think it's been me (laughing). It's really this group of players. I've said, I feel really blessed to be their captain because they have kind of done it on their own. They have this mutual respect for each other, they like each other, they give each other a hard time when they -- I find that fascinating about this group. If they can find something that they can get you on, and they can kind of give you a hard time, they go just full force at you. And it is hilarious.

But it's all, like, in fun loving, you know. And we have an amazing group of caddies this time around. Like, caddies are so important, and I think the poor guys get forgotten a lot. But these caddies this week are phenomenal for us. So it's just been -- it feels like, you know, 24 plus the captains, and then all of our support team. It's been a great week.

So I don't think I've done anything. I think I've just kind of like kind of showed them, Hey, we got to be on the bus at this time. But they have done it on their own.

Q. Anna, same question: Any overarching message to your team with matches looming large tomorrow?

ANNA NORDQVIST: I think me and vice captains, when we started the journey early on, we spoke a lot of the passion and the teamwork and the heart and being there for each other. So I think we all -- like, we came up with a quote -- or we were looking for a quote and the quote we found was, All in, all heart, all team. Because we felt like that one really summarized like all those important things, kind of the foundation. So we have it in the team room and we also have it on the players' bags, so they're always constantly reminded that this week is all about doing the best you can for the team.

Q. Angela, I know you've had specific outfits from winning teams in the past these last three days. Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind that and then where else that theme is throughout your team room?

ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, this is, you know, we've only won in Europe three times, and this is the 20th playing. I mean, I know you play back and forth to go to the States, but to only win three times over here is really hard. And it is hard to win over here. So I just thought, you know, let's pick three uniforms, we have three days that we could do something fun with our uniforms, and just remind the players that it can be done. Like, we've done this before.

So Monday was 2015, we kind of got as close as we could there. It's hard to actually duplicate it perfectly. But Wednesday was fun with 2007. And then today, I mean, I got kind of laughed at when I brought up the khaki pants and khaki shorts in the beginning. But, yeah, I just -- if you Google that picture from 1996 with them holding the cup, it's just, it's iconic, in my opinion. And the players in that picture just, they're Hall of Famers. And their khaki pants and their navy sweater -- we didn't get the navy sweater perfect, but I felt like we did pretty good. I don't know, I just think it's cool. I think we're at a point in the Solheim Cup that we finally have so many history, that we get to kind of look back on and enjoy. Like, I love seeing these women out here today in this. And especially the red writing through, like that's old school. And we had the hats done old school. So, I don't know, I just think that it, to me, it reminds them that people have done this and but at the same time they have grown this event before you. So that's, that was mostly it. And to remind them that it can be done. It's hard, but it can be done.

THE MODERATOR: I have one. I worked with you guys for two years across the board. You've obviously picked your team. How do you feel like now that the team -- I know you still have your speeches, which I truly am looking forward to -- but like literally it's the day before it starts. Do you think it's exactly what you thought? Is everything ready?

ANNA NORDQVIST: Well, I think it's like it's just been such a long journey. I think it's been really hard work probably in the last 18 to 20 months. Like Angela said, it's really stuff you do every day and the players probably don't understand how much it is. Until you're a vice captain, but really until you're a captain, you really don't get anything how much work there really is to do. Because as a player and having done it in the past, I mean, you show up to the week, everything is set, everything is laid out, everything is organized. But there's obviously someone's behind all of that. So I think you come here, you see all the hard work and see the ups and downs you have in your journey and are kind of like, okay, well those hard days, you know, they're worth it when you now see your work being kind of put in action. And then I feel like, I think today we had all these spectators on the first tee come out, and also you're submitting the pairings, it's like, Okay, it's starting to get real. And, I mean, it's 3:30 now and the opening ceremony is going to be here in like an hour and a half, and I still haven't had lunch today. Because I literally haven't been able to sit down since we got here at 8:30 or 9 o'clock. So it's just everything is just going, but you just are enjoying the ride, going with the flow, but I think, I mean, opening ceremony is going to be here before we know it, and then it's going to be 7:40 tomorrow morning. So I think it's really rewarding to see it come together and this is the best part. All that hard work we really now get to be part of.

THE MODERATOR: And enjoy. Angela?

ANGELA STANFORD: Same for me. I think, look, anything can happen starting tomorrow morning. I mean, it's golf, it's match play, that's what makes it amazing. But I am pretty proud of what our team has put together. I'm really proud of how we prepared. So every little things that we've been doing leading up to this, we have seen it in the beginning part of this week and I feel like everything that I was hoping we would achieve early in the week, we did. And now, you know, it's not about Anna, sorry, it's not about us, it's about these players now. And that's, you know, and you think about when we played, it was about the 12 on each team playing for each other and playing against each other. And now I've heard captains say, There's nothing you can do at this point. Like, you let 'em go and whatever happens, happens. And now I'm feeling that. Like, we've done everything we can possibly do and it is truly now about the players. Which, again, makes this event so great.

THE MODERATOR: Everything apart from the speech.

ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, how do you feel about that Anna?

ANNA NORDQVIST: I didn't last through four years of college, but I did take public speaking and I had an A. I think it's harder to speak to the girls or the team itself when it's like 30 or 40 people. But add, like, a couple layers, I really don't mind it because you don't feel like someone is looking at you specifically. So I still have a few things that I need to still practice a little bit or touch up on.

THE MODERATOR: We should let you go soon.

ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, we got to go (laughing).

ANNA NORDQVIST: But I'm just excited for the kickoff. I think as a player and for everyone wanting to be part of it, it's getting real for everyone and I know that there's been a lot of people coming from near and far this week and it's just going to be very exciting because everyone talks about it for so long but now we are here and we can't wait to see the atmosphere and go enjoy the next three days because before we know it it's going to be Sunday night.

THE MODERATOR: All right. Thank you. Good luck.