Junior European Qualification Kicks Off in Portugal

The qualification period to earn a spot on the European team at the 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup begins today with the Portuguese International Ladies’ Amateur Championship at Penina Golf Resort.

Twelve of Europe’s best young female golfers between the ages of 12 and 18 will take on the American team at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands between 7-8 September 2026. This marks a historic first for the PING Junior Solheim Cup with the competition taking place on the same course as the Solheim Cup later that week.

Five-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner Anne van Dam will captain the European side with England’s Bronte Law confirmed as the Dutchwoman’s vice-captain. The pair competed together at both the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2013 and the Solheim Cup in 2019.

There will be 10 official European qualification events beginning on January 28 in Portugal and ending on August 15 at the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship in Scotland.

Following the completion of the 10 prestigious events, the leading six players from the PING Junior Solheim Cup rankings will automatically be selected for the European side. Van Dam will then be afforded six captain’s picks as her squad prepares to reclaim the famous trophy.

“I am very excited for the qualification period to begin for the 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup,” van Dam said. “The talent on display at these 10 events will be incredibly high and I can’t wait to follow along as we start to build our team for September.”

France’s Louise Landgraf is back in Portugal to defend her title after securing a two-shot victory in 2025. Landgraf represented Europe at the 2024 PING Junior Solheim Cup where the American side were victorious in Washington D.C. The 17-year-old will be looking to make the European team again alongside compatriot Alice Kong who is also competing in Portugal.

Details of all 10 qualification events can be found at solheim.local/ping-junior-solheim-cup.

Tickets for the 2026 Solheim Cup week are on sale now. Full ticket details are available at solheim.local/tickets.