American golfer Angel Yin will make her fourth Solheim Cup appearance at Bernardus Golf despite a stomach illness that sidelined her for months.
The 27-year-old lost over two-and-a-half stone in weight from the undisclosed stomach condition, throwing her participation into doubt ahead of Team USA's trophy defence in the Netherlands.
The Solheim Cup is a biennial match play golf tournament featuring two 12-player teams representing Team USA and Team Europe. Team USA are seeking to retain the trophy at Bernardus Golf and secure their first away victory against Team Europe since 2015.
Yin qualified automatically through the US Solheim Cup points list for captain Angela Stanford's side. However, she has not completed a 72-hole tournament since May and featured in only one LPGA Tour event since June, missing the cut by 13 shots with rounds of 81 and 76 in Boston.
Doubts over Solheim Cup participation
Speaking at her pre-tournament press conference, Yin admitted she considered withdrawing to avoid jeopardising her team's prospects. "Yes, of course," Yin said when asked if she thought about not playing. "I know it's crazy that I'm here because I played a week before in Boston and it obviously wasn't great."
"It wasn't ideal," Yin said regarding her performance in Boston. "It is not a score you really bring out and you go 'wow, that's the person that's going to be helping America bring home the Cup'."
Yin stressed the significance of the event as the 20th Solheim Cup edition, calling it the biggest event in women's golf. "I wanted to be honest, because I would never jeopardise America," Yin said. "I had honest talks with myself in the mirror, with my team, and obviously with Angela. She's the only other person - other than my family - that I've updated throughout all of this."
Yin revealed she left the ultimate decision to her captain. "We all agreed on this and she wanted me here," Yin said. "I had my caddie ask her: 'Do you want me here?' And if she had said no, I wouldn't be here. But she said yes. With belief like that and confidence from her to back me, why wouldn't I show up?"
Stanford confirmed in her Tuesday press conference that Yin will feature for Team USA. Former world number one Lilia Vu, who secured a crucial half-point during the 2024 victory, is on site in uniform as a potential last-minute alternate.
Practice sessions and team backing
The two-time LPGA Tour winner had extra practice at Bernardus Golf on Wednesday, playing the front nine alone before joining her teammates on the back nine. She subsequently paired with Yealimi Noh to win a practice match against teammates Alison Lee and Megan Khang.
"I'm feeling great," Yin said after practice. "I guess everybody has different opinions, but I personally think it is not bad. Every day it's getting better. I guess it's like art, right? Everybody has a different opinion, but results are the only thing that matters."
Yin added that she remains ready to play whenever called upon. "I can say and be confident as much as I want, but ultimately it's up to the captain, because she needs to be responsible for us," Yin said. "I just need to do my part and then I just need to wait for her call. Whatever she does and whatever she says will, in my opinion, be the best decision because we trust her and she's been leading us great."
Lee expressed admiration for Yin's determination and commitment despite her limited competitive action in recent months. "Angel is playing great golf," Lee said. "She's working hard, she's putting in the work, and she's working probably the hardest out here. She wants to make the reps, wants to put in the effort."
"She's obviously earned her spot here and she's doing her best to obviously give her best, so there's nothing but great things to say about her," Lee added.
Solheim Cup tournament schedule and broadcast
Tournament proceedings begin on Thursday with the opening ceremony at 4:30 pm UK time, where team captains will reveal the opening-day match pairings. Live television coverage of the tournament will air on Sky Sports Golf across all three days from September 11 to 13.
Live coverage on Friday and Saturday starts at 6 am UK time, providing at least 12 hours of broadcast action each day. Morning foursomes matches tee off at 6:40 am UK time (7:40 am local time), followed by afternoon fourballs at 12:05 pm UK time (1:05 pm local time).
Sunday singles coverage begins at 9 am UK time ahead of the opening tee shot at 10:10 am UK time. Following the conclusion of play, live coverage of the closing ceremony and trophy presentation will air on Sky Sports+ from 5:30 pm UK time.
