The 2024 Solheim Cup saw Stacy Lewis lead Team U.S. for the second time to an excellent win. With players like Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang, and Megan Khang at her disposal, the American side dominated Team Europe with a convincing 15.5 – 12.5 victory. Captain’s picks, Lexi Thompson and Jennifer Kupcho also managed to secure enough points to keep their team in the lead.

After that, many were expecting the 40-year-old Lewis to retain her position in the Team U.S. squad. But, to everyone’s surprise, the winning captain stepped down from her role, making way for a new leader to take the reigns. And now, the American side has announced their captain for the 2026 editions of the prestigious tournament. And the name revealed is of veteran golfer, Angela Stanford. Who is she and what made the squad pick her for the position? Let’s learn more about the newly appointed leader of the American squad.

Who is Angela Stanford? Early career

At 47 years old, Angela Stanford has been a part of the LPGA Tour for over two decades. During this period, she has won 7 LPGA Tour wins, including the 2018 Evian Championship. Interestingly, she had beaten Jessica Korda, Inbee Park, and Lydia Ko to win that title. But that was much later in her career. Let’s see how her journey in golf began.

Stanford was born on November 28, 1977, in Fort Worth, Texas. However, her parents, Steve and Nan Stanford raised her 10 miles away in Saginaw. Ever since she was a kid, she saw her parents put in blood, sweat, and tears to give her a great life. In a conversation with Jeff Hopper in 2004, Stanford had mentioned “My parents have always worked extremely hard from the moment they could start working.” Her dad introduced her to golf when she was only 10. Stanford fell in love with the sport and had the complete support of Steve and Nan to pursue a career in it.

By the time Angela Stanford was in high school, she was already playing competitive golf. But there was a time she lost focus during that period. Stanford wasn’t playing well and received a lot of tough love from her dad. She mentions how “It was probably the hardest he’s ever been on me.” This shows how much faith Steve had in his daughter’s skills and abilities. Pretty soon she graduated from high school, completed her degree from Texas Christian University in 2000, and was on the path to professional golf.

2000 was also the year Stanford was a member of the US Curtis Cup and the semi-finalist in the British Ladies Amateur. She soon turned professional before beginning her quest to receive her LPGA Tour card. She finished T4 in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to receive her exemption in the Tour in 2001. Two years later, Angela Stanford had already won her first LPGA Tour title, the 2003 ShopRite LPGA Classic. She had to wait 5 years for her second title in 2008, another in 2009, and a fourth in 2012. Another 6-year wait before Stanford captured the 2018 Evian Championship. Her last title on the LPGA Tour was the 2020 Volunteers of America Classic. Being a legend from the Lone Star State, Angela Stanford has been inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.

Angela Stanford still competes professionally, as she played 16 events in 2024. She made 6 cuts and had her best finishes of T26 in the LOTTE Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship. As far as the Solheim Cup goes, the Texan has represented Team U.S. six times and has a record of 4-13-3. She has also been the assistant captain in the past three editions of the tournament.

With the abundance of experience at her disposal, Stanford is definitely one of the best choices to replace Stacy Lewis as the Team U.S. captain in the 2026 Solheim Cup. She will prove to be tough competition for the 3x major winner Anna Nordqvist and her European side. But there is much more to the 47-year-old than her golf exploits. Let’s take a peek at her life away from the sport.

An expert on and off the course

Beyond the treacherous roughs and nail-biting bunkers, Angela Stanford has also led a beautiful personal life. Reports suggest that she got married to Jason Stanford and likes to keep her life private. It seems that the couple does not have any children together. However, some other family members often feature on Stanford’s Instagram. Grateful for everything they have provided her, Stanford often shares the special moments of her parents, Steve and Nan on her Instagram. She has celebrated their anniversaries, and birthdays, and also posed with them during family get-togethers. Sadly, Nan passed away on March 9, 2022. Stanford has often shared posts dedicated to her late mom when she misses her.

Apart from golf, Stanford is also often seen visiting other sporting events. She has been seen attending Rangers’s games, getting ready to go support Tom Brady on Super Sunday, and sharing scenes from college football matches like any true-blood American. Angela Stanford’s love for her country and abundance of experience gives her and Team U.S. an advantage at the 2026 Solheim Cup. Do you think the team will be able to capitalize on this and win the tournament again? Share your views in the comments section.