How Do Players Qualify For The 2023 Solheim Cup?
A look at the qualification criteria for Team USA and Europe to see how the 12 players make it onto their Solheim Cup teams
The 2023 Solheim Cup will be held at Finca Cortesin in Spain on September 18-24, but how will the 24 players from Team USA and Europe qualify for the showpiece team event in women’s golf?
It will run in back-to-back years with events in 2023 and 2024 to get it back to even years following Covid-19 disruption to the men’s event.
Europe won in 2021 in Ohio, USA, thanks to a thrilling 15-13 victory, and Suzann Pettersen will captain Team Europe in Spain as they look to defend the title and make it three wins in a row.
Stacy Lewis will captain Team USA and take charge of the visiting Americans as they look to claim back the Solheim Cup as the best 12 players from the LET and LPGA do battle once again, but how do they qualify?
2023 Solheim Cup qualification criteria
Team USA
The American selection period started at the 2021 Portland Classic and will come to an end after the conclusion of the 2023 CP Women’s Open on August 27, 2023.
The top seven players in the US Solheim Cup points list at the conclusion of the qualifying period will make the team automatically, along with the top two players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who have not already qualified.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
American Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis will then make three wildcard picks to complete her team of 12 players to take on the Europeans.
Points are awarded for top 20 finishes at each event, with points doubled at the five Majors – with all points increasing by 50% in a Solheim Cup year.
In the event of a tie in the Solheim Cup points standings, the player with the higher ranking on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings will be selected.
Europe
For Europe, only the top two players in the LET Solheim Cup Points ranking will qualify automatically for the 12-strong team, and again if there’s a tie it’ll be settled by world ranking.
To reflect the size and importance of the LPGA Tour, Europe will select the top six players in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings who have not already qualified to make the team automatically.
European captain Suzann Pettersen will then have four wildcard picks to make to finish off her team to tackle the Americans in Spain.
Again all qualification points are doubled in a Solheim Cup year, while co-sanctioned events with the LPGA Tour earning double those on a regular LET event and Majors worth even more.
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Tiger Woods To Make PNC Championship Return Alongside Son Charlie
The 15-time Major winner is set to tee it up for the first time since back surgery in September, with Team Woods making their fifth appearance in the tournament
By Matt Cradock Published
-
These Drivers Are Being Replaced In 2025 So Now Is The Best Time To Grab a Deal
New drivers look to be on the way early in 2025 so now is a great time to pick up some notable discounts models that impressed us this year
By Conor Keenan Published
-
American Pro DQ'd From LET Q-School Without Hitting A Shot
Gabby Lemieux travelled over to North Africa for Ladies European Tour Q-School but was disqualified on the first morning of action
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Odds, Picks And Predictions
The mixed pairs event returns for another year, with 32 of the biggest names from both the PGA and LPGA Tour circuits featuring once again
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Nelly Korda One Of Three Golfers In Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024 As Tennis Continues To Dominate
Korda topped the total earnings for a female golfer in 2024, but one of her rivals picked up more money from on-course achievements...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘Every Time I Would Think About It Or I'd Have Them Conversations, I Would Get A Little Bit Upset' - Amy Boulden Opens Up On Retirement Decision
Amy Boulden officially retired from pro golf recently but shared that she is not completely closed off to the idea of making tour starts again one day...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The Greatest Achievement I’ve Earned In My Life Taken From Me” - Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Responds To LPGA Ban
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson has responded to being banned by the LPGA with several posts on social media crtitcizing the decision
By Paul Higham Published
-
'I'd Rather Fail At Golf Than Motherhood' - Why Amy Olson Retired Around 30 (And Many Of Her Peers Have Done The Same)
Former LPGA Tour pro Amy Olson explains why female players are more likely to suffer from burnout at an earlier age than their male counterparts
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Banned From LPGA After Gender Policy Update
The LPGA has updated a key policy meaning that from the 2025 season, athletes who transitioned following puberty will not be allowed to play in its competitions
By Mike Hall Published
-
LPGA Tour Final Qualifying - All The Details You Need To Know
It's all to play for at Magnolia Grove Golf Course, as 25 players will earn LPGA Tour cards for 2025 in what promises to be an enthralling watch
By Matt Cradock Published