“I started doing research and reading, including [Shane Ryan’s] book about the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits,” shared Stacy Lewis for her approach after becoming the captain. After two wins for the European team, the following tie in 2023 helped the European team retain the cup. But it was Stacy Lewis, the captain of the US team at the Solheim Cup, who used her unique winning strategy to help Nelly Korda & Co. towards victory after three seasons. The golfer with 13 victories, including two majors, was appointed as the captain in 2023.

But despite that, now, according to the new captain, her strategy requires more additions. Lewis, with her two years as captain, has relied on data solely. During an interview with the team after being appointed, he said, “As we get closer to the event, we’re starting to look into pairings, ’cause the data can, based on the course, simulate who’ll play well together.” Even the book she read from Shane Ryan talked a lot about the analytics of the Ryder Cup.

Well, the strategy not only helped in pairing but has also helped in having a no-loss record. The team in 2023 recorded a tie, while in 2024 it won under Stacy Lewis’s two-year tenure as captain. But for the newly appointed captain of the US team, Angela Stanford. She has different mind games planned for the event. Recently, she shared it during The Mixed Bag podcast, where she was asked about her approach by Meg Adkins and Matthew Galloway. The two asked her about how she was planning to lead, sharing how Stacy Lewis’s data-driven approach has paid out. “Do you think you will take a similar path now that you have seen that in action and lean on the numbers, either making the picks or strategy during the competition?”

With everyone expecting yes to the approach, she did not completely turn it down but had a major tweak to add. Stanford said, “Yeah, I think there are so many different ways you can use numbers, and I have always believed numbers don’t lie. Numbers gonna tell you exactly what you wanna know.” Agreeing to the capabilities and pros of the data, the golfer who started professionally in 2000 shared how data wasn’t the only thing that helped the golfer earlier.

Further dismissing the approach, she pointed out that Stanford (47), being older than Lewis (40), will use a different approach. She said, “I still kinda go by my gut, and you know the feelings or the instincts. I think there will be a mix of it.” The golfer, with her presence in the team, has six Solheim Cup appearances, but the U.S. team did not win in all of them. Not only this, but her crucial 5.5 points from 20 matches have been the crucial decision-maker for her new leader position as well. Now, with the new role, she has stepped up with a new strategy, dismissing the old one of Stacy Lewis.

Apart from her performance, Stanford has earned praise for her overall personality, which makes her an ideal fit for the role.

Liz Moore about Angela Stanford

The 47-year-old with her illustrious career, including one major victory (the 2018 Amundi Evian Championship), was also a three-time assistant captain. On March 20, 2025, the six-time veteran was announced as the 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup captain. She will lead the team at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Apart from her joy on the news, where she said, “I consider this the pinnacle of my career, and I’m looking forward to leading our players to the Netherlands in 2026.” There have been many other prominent names who have praised her. Well, the most evident was the one from the interim LPGA Commissioner, Liz Moore.

Moore, for the decision, shared, “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.” Stanford, who retired in 2024, has many significant achievements under her name. She, with her 23-year-long LPGA Tour career, participated in 98 consecutive major championships from 2002 to 2024, setting an LPGA record. However, the comparison to Jack Nicklaus is inaccurate, as he holds the record for 154 consecutive major appearances.

With her experience in the course and a long history at the Solheim Cup, she could be the ideal leader. But with her new addition to the approach, will she be successful? What are your thoughts on it? Share what you think in the comments below.