Jul 15, 2026 
(July 15, 2026 – VERSAILLES, Ky.) — With the biggest event in women’s golf just weeks away, Solheim Cup Captain Angela Stanford, 48, may have less time these days to focus on her own game, but she still relishes every opportunity to compete on the Legends of the LPGA circuit.
Before turning her full attention to Solheim in September, Stanford will step back inside the ropes alongside longtime friend and fellow Texan Wendy Ward, 53, when the pair returns for the 2026 Woodford Legends Invitational Powered By Suran Systems, August 8-9 at The Woodford Club in Versailles, Ky.
The duo enters its second appearance together in Bluegrass Country with plenty of momentum after capturing the 2024 and 2025 BJ’s Charity Championships in Sandwich, Massachusetts. Now they’ll look to improve on last year’s tie for 10th at The Woodford Club.
“I can’t wait to get back and play the Woodford Legends Invitational,” says Stanford, winner of six Legends of the LPGA events, including back-to-back wins at the 2023 and 2024 LPGA Legends Championship.
“I love the relaxed feel and how the Woodford community really embraces all of the players – and that we still have a place to play and be competitive. I’m in a time in my life where playing 22 to 24 weeks out of the year isn’t as realistic as it used to be, but I still want to compete. The Legends Tour has given me that opportunity, and I’m extremely grateful.”
Stanford believes familiarity with The Woodford Club will help this year after learning valuable lessons during her debut.
“I remember I didn’t make enough putts for my partner,” quips Stanford. “Seeing the greens again for my second year will help. Knowing where we can be aggressive and when not to push our luck will be helpful. The more you can play a golf course in a tournament environment, the more you learn about it.”
Stanford’s meticulous preparation has fueled a career that includes seven LPGA Tour victories, a major championship title, and the women’s professional golf record for 98 consecutive starts in major championships. That same attention to detail is now guiding her as she assembles Team USA for September’s Solheim Cup in the Netherlands, where the Americans will attempt to defend their 2024 victory.
“I am really excited about the mixture of Team USA.,” says Stanford. “We have a solid core of players with experience, and we have some new faces that bring great energy. Our strengths will be our mental toughness and the fact that most of the players have competed together before. Our approach play has been a staple of U.S. teams for years, and I think this team will be very strong in that area.”
Before stepping in as captain, Stanford represented the United States in six Solheim Cups—2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015—and earned the winning point in 2015 with a 2-and-1 singles victory over Suzann Pettersen as the Americans completed a thrilling comeback in Germany. For Stanford, the transition from Solheim Cup player to captain has required a dramatically different perspective.
“As a player, I was only worried about making sure my own game was ready that week,” notes Stanford. “Being an assistant or a captain means preparing all 12 players and having a game plan for the entire week.”
Ward, who competed in four Solheim Cups as a player before later serving as a U.S. Assistant Captain, says Stanford’s ability to balance the demanding role of Solheim Cup Captain while still contending in Legends tournaments comes as no surprise.
“Ang is so experienced, having played six Solheim Cups and then worn the assistant captain hat for three more,” says Ward. “She is also passionate, super competitive and doesn’t like to finish second.”
As a former Assistant Captain, Ward has experienced firsthand how different serving on the sidelines can be.
“Putting together the pairings and teams and predicting the lineups at Solheim requires a lot of thought and strategy,” adds Ward. “Being captain versus playing, you still have all the adrenaline and pressure – it’s just a different hat you wear than actually executing the shots.”
Both Stanford and Ward look forward to donning their player caps in just a few weeks for another shot at a winner’s circle at this year’s Woodford Legends Invitational. Their shared experiences have created an easy chemistry that continues to pay dividends whenever they team up in Legends events.
“We are just proud to be Americans, and bonus—we share our native Texas backgrounds,” smiles Ward. Stanford is from Fort Worth and Ward hails from San Antonio, and as such, they have dubbed themselves the Texas Two-Step. Adds Ward, “We both love team events, and our games and personalities complement each other.”
For Stanford, the Woodford Legends Invitational represents a welcome opportunity to compete before returning full-time to the responsibilities of leading Team USA. For Ward, it’s another chance to partner with one of the game’s fiercest competitors—regardless of how many hats she’s wearing.
The Woodford Legends Invitational returns to The Woodford Club in Versailles, Kentucky, on August 8-9, featuring 16 teams comprised of two LPGA Legends. Defending champions Catriona Matthew and Becky Morgan will seek an unprecedented third consecutive title after winning the event in both 2024 and 2025.
The field also includes six LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famers—Pat Bradley, Laura Davies, Juli Inkster, Annika Sörenstam, Hollis Stacy and Jan Stephenson. Bradley, Inkster and Sörenstam are all Career Grand Slam winners. Collectively, the field boasts 332 LPGA Tour victories, including 42 major championships.
For more information on teams, tickets and tournament week, please visit the WoodfordClubFoundation.org.
Jun 16, 2026 
