Alison Lee’s Remarkable Comeback at the Solheim Cup 2026

Alison Lee began the 2026 LPGA Tour season as a commentator, taking a break from professional golf due to maternity leave. After welcoming her son in April last year, the 31-year-old made an incredible return to take a spot on the U.S. Solheim Cup team. Her performances against the Europeans in the Netherlands were a testament to her tenacity and skill.

Lee participated in three of the first four sessions at the biennial event. She won her two foursome matches and a fourball match during the initial two days. On Sunday, Lee teed off second for the Americans in the singles sessions. Initially lagging, Lee demonstrated her fighting spirit and turned the tables.

Despite starting the day at 1-over par through 11 holes and trailing Esther Henseleit by four holes at Bernardus Golf, Lee defied the odds. No player in the Solheim Cup’s 36-year history had overcome such a deficit in a singles match until Lee did. Lee’s fortitude prevailed as she went on to play the final seven holes at 4-under par, completing her comeback with remarkable precision, culminating in earning a full point on the final holes.

Lee’s achievement is extraordinary, as she became the first golfer to qualify for the U.S. Solheim Cup team post-maternity since Juli Inkster in 2011. She began her LPGA Tour season only in mid-April, following maternity leave, leaving limited time to accumulate essential points. Throughout her 12 LPGA Tour starts, Lee secured three top-10 finishes, notably placing fifth at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June.

Team Europe’s triumph was secured by Lottie Woad from England, who defeated Auston Kim 2&1, but Lee’s contribution provided a silver lining for the U.S. team amid their challenges on the final day.

Lee, while pregnant during the 2024 Solheim Cup, kept the news private to ensure focus on the match. She helped lead her team to victory with a 15.5-12.5 score. Prior to Lee’s participation in 2026, Suzann Pettersen was noted as the last mother to compete in the cup, retiring after securing a win for Team Europe in 2019.