Angela Stanford will lead the American Solheim Cup squad into battle against Europe at Bernardus Golf in 2026.
Having been appointed as US captain, Stanford has ticked a lot of boxes during her career. She cracked the top 10 of the world rankings and crossed the line in the majors at the 2018 Evian Championship.
The 47-year-old was announced captain of the US Solheim Cup team in March 2025, as the United States seek to defend the cup on foreign soil.
“I’m extremely grateful to be named the next American captain for the Solheim Cup and join a list of my heroes in the game. I’ve always believed that I represent more than myself on the LPGA Tour, and there is no greater honour than representing your country,” said Stanford. “I consider this the pinnacle of my career, and I’m looking forward to leading our players to the Netherlands in 2026.”
“Angela Stanford will certainly be a wonderful captain for the U.S. Team at the 2026 Solheim Cup,” said former interim LPGA Commissioner Liz Moore. “Angela has always been a spark on and off the course, a true leader and a dedicated partner to her teammates. It’s now her time to take the helm of the U.S. Team, and I have no doubt that she will lead her squad to a successful week in the Netherlands.”
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Angela Stanford: US Solheim Cup captain is a major champion and Solheim Cup stalwart
Stanford has been involved six times as a US player. She made her debut in the competition in 2003 and played in five successive editions of the tournament between 2007 and 2015.
Stanford has won the Solheim Cup three times. She has experienced both good times and bad playing against Europe. She lost all seven of her matches across the 2011 and 2013 Solheim Cups, but she delivered two points in 2007 when the USA won in Sweden.
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Stanford’s career in the individual game is just as high-profile. The American is a one-time major champion and won for the first time on the LPGA Tour in 2003 at the Shoprite LPGA Classic.
Stanford has won seven times on the LPGA Tour, most recently in 2020 at the Volunteers of America Classic. In total, Stanford has 11 professional titles and she might have had two major titles had she not lost in a playoff in the US Women’s Open in 2003.
The American retired from professional golf in 2024 following her victory at the Senior LPGA Legends championship, defending her title from 2023.
The postponement of the 2020 Ryder Cup to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the Solheim Cup reverting to even-numbered years.
The Solheim Cup was played for the second consecutive year in 2024, where Stacy Lewis captained the USA to a great 15.5-12.5 win at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. This was the first time America had won the Solheim Cup since 2019.
Stanford will face European captain Anna Nordqvist who was named leader of the continent in 2025 after a long and illustrious career in the Solheim Cup as well. Nordqvist made nine appearances for team Europe, including two as playing vice captain in 2023 and 2024. The Swede has been part of five successful European Solheim Cup teams.
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