Irish golfer one of four wildcard picks for Europe
Rookies Ramirez, Nadaud and Rhodes also selected
Leona Maguire has retained her place in Europe’s Solheim Cup team despite a disappointing 2026, with the Irish golfer one of four wildcard picks named by Anna Nordqvist on Monday. Maguire joins three rookies – Julia López Ramirez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes – in completing the European side who will attempt to reclaim the trophy in the Netherlands next month.
A missed cut for Maguire in the Women’s British Open last week meant the 31-year-old had failed to play in the closing 36 holes of four from a possible five majors in 2026. In the one where she made the cut, the Women’s PGA Championship, Maguire tied 53rd. She started this week ranked 83rd in the world.
These numbers are striking for a player who was tipped for greatness at a young age. There is also the matter of the controversy that surrounded Maguire at the 2024 Solheim Cup when she admitted her limited play under the captain Suzann Pettersen proved a “bitter pill to swallow”. Maguire has enjoyed positive experiences in this arena in the past, however, having starred for Europe in the Solheim Cups of 2021 and 2023. The Irish golfer has also claimed eight and a half points from a dozen Solheim Cup matches.
