The European Team will land on Virginia as the defending champion of the Solheim Cup. Recent history is also on Suzann Pettersen’s side – Team USA has yet to net a Solheim Cup victory since 2017. Surely, the European squad will look to extend their streak at Virginia as well. 

Pettersen’s captain’s picks surprised a few. But the Swede made a calculated decision to mix up old guards with young bloods. Before the tournament tees off on Friday (September 10), let’s look at the top five players in the European squad who are expected to do the heavy lifting. 

Charley Hull (England – 12-7-3)

Charley Hull topped the leaderboard for the Solheim Cup selection. The Britsh Pro has recorded seven top-tens in 2023-24 LET to qualify for the biennial showdown. This year, Hull has also recorded four top-tens in the LPGA Tour including two top-fives in the Dow Championship and ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. Barring the missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship, the 28-year-old has yet to finish outside the top 20 in her last six starts. At Finca Cortesin, Hull went 1-2-0.

Esther Henseleit (Germany – N/A)

The German International had turned heads since the Olympics where she went toe-to-toe with Lydia Ko. Aside from that Silver Medal finish, Henseleit has an additional four top-tens in the LPGA Tour, including a runner-up finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. This will be her Solheim Cup debut. But rookies have surprised us in the Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup before.

Linn Grant (Sweden-3-2-0)

This will be the 25-year-old’s second Solheim Cup appearance. The Swedish International has netted four top-tens this season, two of which have come in her last three starts. The T10 at the AIG Women’s Open was her second top-ten in the major this year. 

Grant’s strength is in her power off the tee. The one-time LPGA Tour winner is the 16th-best in the LPGA Tour averaging 270.86 yards from the box. The Robert Trent Jones layouts are notorious for length. Undoubtedly, Linn Grant will use her powerful drive to the fullest advantage. 

Carlota Ciganda (Spain – 11-8-4)

Cigana was the star of last year’s Solheim Cup. The hometown favorite had a perfect three days at Finca Cortesin (4-0-0). She is definitely a big name in the matchplay format, having debuted with a spectacular 3-0-0 record. Ciganda has three top-tens this year, including a T10 at the recently concluded FM Championship. This will be her seventh Solheim Cup appearance. 

Celine Boutier (France – 5-4-1)

Boutier is the highest-ranked player in the European squad. The French International has cooled off a bit after a breakout season last year. Ciganda’s main worry will be her current form. This year, she has netted only one top-ten back in February. In her last six events, only twice has Boutier managed to finish inside top-20. Last year, her record was 0-3-0.

Aside from these five, two players can play a surprise role in Europe’s success. Suzann Pettersen chose Anna Nordqvist as one of her captain’s picks. The Swedish, 37, has lost some of her sheen in more recent times – she has six top-25s but no top-tens this season and has missed cuts in her last two appearances. 

But can you doubt the wealth of experience she will bring to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club? This will be the ninth time, the three-time major winner will carry the European flag at Solheim Cup. 

On the other hand, there is rookie Albane Valenzuela. Her two top tens might raise some eyebrows, but she has shown mettle in high-octane situations. A T20 at St. Andrews, coupled with a T22 at Evian-les-Bains, and a T29 at Lancaster Country Club were enough indications for Suzann Pettersen. 

The Stanford alum holds four passports but was eligible to play for Europe as she moved to Switzerland in her childhood. “I’m absolutely speechless, I can’t believe I’m going to play!” Valenzuela told Sky Sports after getting the captain’s nod. She has Junior Solheim Cup experience under her belt. USA-born Valenzuela will be one of the only two rookies and the first from her country to tee off at the Solheim Cup.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club has previously hosted four Presidents Cups. Surely, fans can expect high-octane drama at the par-72 layout this weekend.