U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Angela Stanford has selected her first Assistant Captain.
Kristy McPherson was announced Tuesday as the first assistant captain for the 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup squad. McPherson will assist Stanford in leading the Americans at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. The 2026 Solheim Cup is set for Sept. 11-13, 2026.
“Kristy and I have been friends since 2006,” Stanford said in a release. “We traveled and played on Tour together, and I was just always impressed with her attitude. It didn’t matter what was going on around her or in her life. She showed up with a positive attitude and was always ready to give it her best. She’s also extremely competitive and there are never any excuses from Kristy.
“I know she can push me while also making sure that I am true to who I am, that I’m doing the right things for this team. She will hold me accountable for the decisions I’m going to make.”
McPherson, who spent four years on the Epson Tour while winning twice and never missing a cut, joined the LPGA in 2007. She never won an LPGA event but had three runner-up finishes, including a tie for second at the Chevron Championship in 2009. McPherson went 1-3-0 for the U.S. in the 2009 Solheim Cup, which topped Europe 16 to 12 at Rich Harvest Farms outside Chicago.
“I am honored and proud to be named an assistant captain for the 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup Team. It’s going to be so much fun,” McPherson said in a release. “I’m so grateful to Angela for trusting me in this process and taking me on this journey with her. I can’t wait to work with her over the next year and a half and I’m really looking forward to working with the team.
“I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that when we head to the Netherlands in 2026, the Solheim Cup comes with us back to the United States.”
At 11 years old, McPherson was diagnosed with Still’s disease, a form of arthritis. It didn’t hamper her golf career, as she played four years collegiately at South Carolina, where she captured seven victories.
In 2003, she earned the Honda Inspiration Award, which is given to an athlete “who has overcome hardship and was able to return to play at the collegiate level.”
Now, she’ll help Stanford and the Americans in Europe next year.
Read the full article here
