By: Max Bechtoldt
Europe is on a roll at the Solheim Cup, holding it since their victory at Gleneagles in 2019. Many of the same faces have come back again and again to represent their continent and I expect that to continue in 2024.
Team Europe selects its team in a different way than the American team does, where two players are guaranteed from European Tour standings, while the next six are the top players in the Rolex Rankings. Here I will just go over those top ranked players in the world.
Celine Boutier – Celine Boutier has really seen it all in the Solheim Cup except a team loss. In her first outing, she was terrific going 4-0-0. In her second go she was just fine at 1-1-1. Most recently in 2023, she went 0-3-0 and was really the one player on Team Europe that really struggled. It’ll be interesting to see what Boutier shows up in Washington D.C.
Charley Hull – Hull, despite being only 27, is already one of the most experienced Solheim Cup players on either side. She’s been rock solid as well, with a 12-7-3 record across her six times playing. Hull has never been better than she is now and will likely be one of the anchor players.
Linn Grant – Linn Grant was more than serviceable as a Solheim Cup rookie in 2023, playing in all five matches and finishing 3-2. Grant got off to a rough start in her first round alongside fellow Swede Maja Stark, but recovered nicely for the rest of the week. Grant is arguably the most purely talented player on this team and should be even better in 2024.
Georgia Hall – Like Boutier, Hall is a bit inconsistent at Solheim. While she was dominant in 2019 going 4-0-0, her last two appearances have left a lot to be desired for maybe the biggest name on the team. In those last two contests she’s been a combined 2-4-2. Europe will need her closer to her 2019 form.
Leona Maguire (pictured) – Maguire has only played in the Solheim Cup twice, but I think we can already declare her a legend of the event. She has played in all 10 matches, with a career record of 7-2-1. Maguire also hits some of the most clutch and energizing shots of anyone. She is going to be the player Europe likely relies on most.
Carlota Ciganda – Going into 2023, I’m not sure anyone would have considered Ciganda a great Solheim Cup player. Yes she had a lot of experience, but was only 7-8-4 overall. Well, that changed drastically in her home country of Spain, when she went 4-0-0 and was the match that clinched Europe retaining the cup.
Team Europe is looking for an unprecedented streak of retaining the Solheim Cup. All players above should be locks to be on the team, and each of them have winning records in their Solheim Cup careers.
