Solheim Cup: Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist rules out playing in 2026 contest after taking new role | Golf News

Anna Nordqvist has ruled out the possibility of being a playing-captain for Team Europe at the Solheim Cup and insists she will bring her own style to the role for the 2026 contest.

The Swede has been confirmed as Europe’s captain for the next edition – held at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands – and succeeds Suzann Pettersen, who held the role for successive Solheim Cups.

Nordqvist has featured in each of the previous nine Solheim Cups as a player and served as a playing vice-captain for the last two contests, including during Europe’s 15.5-12.5 loss to Team USA last September.

A 10th Solheim Cup as a player would have lifted Nordqvist solo second in Europe’s all-time appearance list and within two of Dame Laura Davies’ record, although the 37-year-old believes focusing on captaincy this time around is the best decision.

“I knew I wanted to be part of Solheim Cup, like in one way or another,” Nordqivst told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. “I’m not retiring, but obviously accepting this role means I’m going to be captain and not going to be playing.

“I was interested because I wanted to do this at a time in my career when I can still be out there [competing] and I still know the players, the coaches, the caddies and everyone, because I wanted to be approachable.

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“I think my life perspective has changed a little bit like the last couple of years and you’ve just got to do things that you want to do. Life is short and was playing in my 10th one really going to make a bigger difference or could I make a really big difference as a captain?”

Nordqvist still regularly competes on the LPGA Tour and sits currently inside the world’s top 100, leaving her qualifying to represent Team Europe a possibility, although feels satisfied should her Solheim Cup career should the 2024 appearance be her last.

“There’s a chance that I could automatically qualify if I have like two good years on tour, but I have put myself in this position because I want to do a good job,” Nordqvist added.

“As a playing vice-captain, you’re kind of already taking a bit of a hit and know there’s just so many things you’ve got to be doing.

“I’m content and, having played in nine, I’m extremely proud of that part of my career. I’d like to do a good job and I think I’m needed in this role.”

What kind of captain will Nordqvist be?

Last September’s loss ended a run of European dominance in the Solheim Cup, with Catriona Matthew guiding them to back-to-back victories before Pettersen led Europe to a dramatic 14-14 tie in Spain in 2023.

When asked about the captaincy style Nordqvist intends to have, she admitted: “I think I’m definitely more towards Beanie [Matthew]! I think I’m a little bit more calm, quiet.

“Suzanne wears her heart on her sleeve and I think she’s the best competitor we ever had on tour. She took a little bit of time to find her way and she was very different as a captain and in Spain than in DC.

“I felt like she was a lot more like herself in DC, not asking everyone for thoughts and opinions. She was just doing her race, which I think I admire about her. Beanie was just a little bit laid back, but was able to incorporate a lot more routines that we now implement every Solheim Cup.

“There are so many things I admire about all the different captains. I think at the end of the day, you can learn and you can try to implement things, but I think the most important is just me trying to be myself.”

Listen to the full Anna Nordqvist interview on the latest edition of the Sky Sports Golf podcast, hosted every week by Jamie Weir. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Spreaker, while vodcast editions can be found on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel.