Angela Stanford may have stepped away from full-time tour life, but her passion for the Solheim Cup has only intensified. We caught up with the USA captain to talk planning, patience, potential rookies and why mindset will matter most in the Netherlands.
For Angela Stanford, the transition into Solheim Cup captaincy has been nothing short of energising. Far from easing into retirement, she has thrown herself wholeheartedly into preparations for 2026.
“I’ve loved every second of it,” she tells Women & Golf. “The weekly meetings with the LPGA team and the monthly calls with my assistant captains have been so much fun. Right now, it’s all about planning – and I’m excited about all of it.”
If anything has surprised her, it’s how eager she is to fast-forward time.
“I want everything to happen now,” she laughs. “That’s probably been the hardest part – learning to be patient.”
Eyes on the Future
Like her European counterpart, Stanford is realistic about how early it still is in the qualification process. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t paying close attention.
“Right now, I’m watching Lindy Duncan and Auston Kim,” she says. “If the points ended today, they’d both be on the team.”
What impresses her most is not just their talent, but their resilience.
“Lindy is incredibly gritty, and that’s the mentality we need when we go to Europe,” Stanford explains. “Auston is an amazing ball striker and hits it extremely far – that could really help us at Bernardus.”
Ultimately, though, she is clear about what she values most.
“I want players who are mentally tough, who don’t let conditions or crowds affect them. That mindset will be huge.”
A Venue Built for Drama
Stanford believes Bernardus Golf will provide a compelling stage for the first major women’s golf event in the Netherlands.
“I think the players are going to love it,” she says. “The course can play very differently depending on the weather, and that’s going to be great for spectators.”
Firm, fast conditions, combined with potential wind and rain, will reward players who can hit the ball high and stay mentally composed.
“Yes, I want someone who can hit it straight and high,” she says. “But more than that, I want someone who can handle adversity and keep fighting.”
Standing on the Shoulders of Experience
Having played under six Solheim Cup captains and assisted two more, Stanford draws confidence from the breadth of experience she carries with her.
“I honestly can’t say one captain was more influential than the others,” she reflects. “They all did something great.”
She plans to reach out to each of them, not just for affirmation, but for honesty.
“I want to know what caught them off guard, what they’d change if they could do it again. Those lessons matter.”
Life After Tour – and Life Ahead
While she misses the thrill of competition – “Thursday mornings, getting your name announced” – Stanford has no desire to return to the grind of tour travel.
“I don’t miss the travel at all,” she admits. “That part was always tough for me.”
These days, she’s enjoying time with family, snow skiing when she can, and discovering a new love for outdoor cooking. But competition is never far away, with Legends Tour events and future ambitions still on the horizon.
As for 2026, her focus remains unwavering.
“I want a team that believes in itself,” she says. “If we get that right, everything else can fall into place.”
