What is the Solheim Cup?

The Solheim Cup is a biennial team competition in women's golf, contested by the leading players from Europe and the United States over three days of match play. It was first played in 1990.

Why is it called the Solheim Cup?

The tournament is named after Karsten and Louise Solheim, who founded our family golf business and began sponsoring women's professional golf on the LPGA Tour in 1975. Their support helped create the event and grow the women's game.

What is PING's role in the Solheim Cup?

We are a founding global partner of the Solheim Cup and the official clothing supplier to Team Europe. We design and provide the on-course kit the European team wears across the contest.

How often is the Solheim Cup held?

The Solheim Cup is held every two years, alternating between host venues in Europe and the United States. The host continent changes with each edition.

How is the Solheim Cup won?

Two teams of 12 players compete for 28 points across foursomes, fourballs and singles. A team needs 14½ points to win, while the defending champions retain the trophy with 14.

What is the Junior Solheim Cup?

Introduced in 2002, the Junior Solheim Cup is contested by girls aged 12 to 18 in the days before the main event. PING provides the team uniforms, and it gives young players a pathway towards the senior game.

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PING and the Solheim Cup

The Solheim Cup is the iconic match-play contest between the leading women golfers of Europe and the United States. It is named after our founder, Karsten Solheim and his wife, Louise, who began backing women's professional golf in the 1970s, and we have supported it as founding global partner since the first contest in 1990.

Today, the Solheim Cup remains as one of the greatest success stories in women's sport, and our connection to it runs throughout the tournament's history.

PING Founding Global Partner

As founding global partner, we have backed the Solheim Cup throughout its history. Our connection runs deeper than most partnerships in the game. Karsten and Louise Solheim, who started our family business in 1959, began sponsoring LPGA Tour events in 1975, and subsequently, the tournament that followed carries the Solheim family name. A fitting tribute to the vision and generosity of Karsten and Louise Solheim.

Solheim Cup Announcement →

Solheim Cup History

The story begins in 1975, when Karsten and Louise Solheim started sponsoring women's professional golf on the LPGA Tour. The first Solheim Cup followed in 1990 at Lake Nona in Florida, captained by Kathy Whitworth for the United States and Mickey Walker for Europe. Europe soon proved its strength, with players such as Laura Davies helping to establish Team Europe as a genuine force, and in 2002 the Junior Solheim Cup was added to nurture the next generation. The event alternates between host courses in Europe and the United States and draws some of the largest crowds in women's golf.

“Karsten loved ladies’ golf. He felt the lady professionals did not get as much recognition as their male counterparts and that is why he sponsored various LPGA events dating back to 1975."

“When the opportunity to sponsor a Ryder Cup-like ladies’ event was presented to my parents, they embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Karsten thought it would be a wonderful arena for the ladies from Europe and the USA to be recognised for their golf skills and talents.”

John A. Solheim

Solheim Cup Format

Each Solheim Cup is contested by two teams of 12 players over three days. The opening two days feature foursomes and fourballs, before the contest is settled by 12 singles matches on the final day. With 28 points available, a team needs 14½ points to win the trophy, while the defending champions retain it with 14. The format rewards both individual nerve and team depth, which is part of what makes the closing singles so compelling.

Solheim Cup Trophy

The Solheim Cup trophy was designed by Billy Briggs for the first contest in 1990. Cut from crystal glass, it stands around 19 inches tall with its base and weighs more than 20 pounds, a fitting prize for one of the most fiercely contested team events in golf.

Team Europe Kit and Collections

As the official apparel supplier to the European Solheim Cup team, we design and supply the team's clothing for the whole week, including the three tournament days. The same approach that goes into our women's golf clothing carries through to the Team Europe kit, from ladies headwear to women's waterproofs and outerwear made to perform in changeable conditions.

Supporters can take their cue from our women's tour looks, follow each edition through our dedicated collections and wear the colours alongside the team.

Junior Solheim Cup

Introduced in 2002, the PING Junior Solheim Cup is played in the days before the main event and brings together the best young women golfers, aged 12 to 18, from Europe and the United States. We provide both teams with uniforms and golf bags in their quest to becoming the stars of tomorrow. The event acts as a meaningful step for players moving towards professional careers, reflecting the wider aim of the tournament, to grow the women's and junior game. Many of today's Solheim Cup players first represented their team as a junior, including the likes of Leona Maguire and Linn Grant.

The Next Solheim Cup

Each edition has its own venue, teams and story. The 2026 contest comes to Bernardus, the first Solheim Cup ever held in the Netherlands. For the latest dates, host venue and Team Europe news, see our guide to the Solheim Cup 2026. You can also follow the PING players competing across the women's and men's game on our tour page.