Albane Valenzuela has just made history for Swiss golf! The Geneva-born golfer has been selected as one of the Captain’s Picks for Team Europe at the upcoming Solheim Cup, set to take place from September 13 to 15, 2024, in Gainesville, Virginia, USA. This isn't just a personal achievement—Valenzuela is now the first-ever Swiss player to compete in either the Solheim Cup or the Ryder Cup. This is a monumental moment for Swiss sports!

For Albane, this is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sheer passion for the game. “This is a childhood dream come true,” she shared, the excitement in her voice unmistakable. “To represent Europe in the Solheim Cup or Ryder Cup is one of the greatest honors a golfer can achieve. I remember playing in the Junior Solheim Cup and knowing deep down that I wanted to reach this level one day. I’ve competed in all the majors, been to the Olympics, and now, to top it all off, I’m going to play in the Solheim Cup. It’s absolutely fantastic!”

And it’s no surprise that Captain Suzann Pettersen took notice. Valenzuela’s performances this season have been nothing short of spectacular. With six Top-20 finishes on the 2024 LPGA Tour, including a stunning second place in Thailand, she’s proven time and again that she’s got what it takes. But it was her recent showings in high-pressure situations that truly set her apart: she finished T22 at The Amundi Evian Championship, T13 at the Olympic Games in Paris, and T20 at the AIG Women’s Open. Talk about rising to the occasion!

However, getting here wasn’t easy. Albane openly admits that the past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, especially with so much riding on a potential Solheim Cup spot. “I’ve been so stressed lately,” she confessed. “Last Friday, I was so close to missing the cut at the British Open, but I dug deep and then played an incredible third round, shooting six-under. I’m really proud of how I handled these challenging weeks.”

This is more than just a personal victory for Albane Valenzuela; it’s a proud moment for Switzerland. Her participation in the 2024 Solheim Cup is set to inspire young golfers, proving that with hard work and determination, dreams really do come true. Albane’s journey is just beginning, and the entire country will be cheering her on as she takes on this incredible challenge on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Go, Albane!