Karen Stupples has been named in the European team for next month's Solheim Cup against the United States.

The Deal 38-year-old, who now lives in Florida, was one of four wildcards picked by Europe captain Alison Nicholas along with Spain's Azahara Munoz, Swede Caroline Hedwall and Sandra Gal of Germany to complete her 12-woman team.

It will be Stupples' second appearance in the Solheim Cup, having made her debut at Crooked Stick in the USA in 2005.

The 2004 British Open champion's best finish so far this season was a tie for 9th place at the Avnet LPGA Classic.

Europe will be looking to win back the Solheim Cup from the US at Killeen Castle, Ireland from 23-25 September.

"I'm confident in my team and I believe we will do very well," Nicholas said.

The four wildcards will line up alongside Scotland's Catriona Matthew and the Swedish trio of Maria Hjorth, Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson, who qualified from the world rankings.

Four others - England's Melissa Reid and Laura Davies, Norway's Suzann Pettersen and Holland's Christel Boeljon - had already earned their places in the team from the Ladies European Tour's Solheim Cup points' list.

The US have won the last three Solheim Cups and eight of 11 editions of the event since it was launched in 1990.

Nicholas added: "These players represent the best of European women's golf and we look forward to putting on a magnificent show for the fans."

Picture: Ady Kerry