Solheim Cup 2026: Angel Yin opens up on illness battle, Team USA doubts and how Angela Stanford helped her decision

Yin was among the automatic qualifiers via the US Solheim Cup points list for Angela Stanford's side, who are looking to retain the trophy at Bernardus Golf and claim a first away victory over Team Europe since 2015.

The 27-year-old has not completed a 72-hole tournament since May and only played in one LPGA Tour event since June, missing the cut by 13 shots on her return to action from an undisclosed stomach issue.

Yin has lost over two and a half stone in weight from the illness and had seen her participation thrown into doubt, although was left grateful of the support captain Stanford offered when debating her Solheim Cup status.

When asked whether she thought about not playing, Yin said in her pre-tournament press conference: "Yes, of course. 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. It [rounds of 81 and 76] 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'.

"I've been working hard, I've been trying everything I can, because this is the biggest event in women's golf. We know this is going to be a big deal, because this is the 20th Solheim Cup.

"I wanted to be honest, because I would never jeopardise America. I had honest talks with myself in the mirror, with my team, and obviously with Angela [Stanford]. She's the only other person - other than my family - that I've updated throughout all of this.

"We all agreed on this and she wanted me here. 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 insisted in her press conference on Tuesday that Yin will feature for Team USA , despite former world No 1 Lilia Vu - who claimed a key half-point in the 2024 win - being on-site in uniform and a potential last-minute alternate.

Yin had extra practice on Wednesday, taking the front nine on her own before joining the rest of Team USA on the back nine, with the two-time LPGA Tour winner confident her game is showing positive signs heading into a key week.

"I'm feeling great," Yin added. "I guess everybody has different opinions, but I personally think it [her game] 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.

"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. 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."

Yin and Yealimi Noh won a practice match again Alison Lee and Megan Khang, who was left impressed by how her team-mate is playing despite her limited competitive golf.

"Angel is playing great golf," Lee insisted. "She's working hard, she's putting in the work, and she's working probably the hardest out here.

"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."

Sky Sports Golf will have at least 12 hours of live coverage from the first two days, with coverage getting under way at 6am on Friday and Saturday ahead of the opening foursomes match teeing off at 6.40am (7.40am local time).

The afternoon fourballs are scheduled to start at 12.05pm (1.05pm local time) on both days, with coverage continuing until after the final putt is holed, while Sunday singles coverage begins at 9am ahead of the opening tee shot at 10.10am.

Sky Sports+ will have live coverage of the closing ceremony from 5.30pm on Sunday, following the Solheim Cup winner being crowned, while the opening ceremony on Thursday at 4.30pm will see the opening-day pairings revealed.

Who will win the Solheim Cup? Watch Team Europe's bid to regain the trophy exclusively live on Sky Sports, with all three days live from September 11-13 on Sky Sports Golf. Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW .