Shropshire golf star heading to Los Angeles for amateur Ryder Cup

Isla McDonald-O’Brien will be hoping to lead GB & Ireland’s women to glory over the United States of America in next month’s Curtis Cup.

The competition - an amateur version of the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup - is held every two years, with this year’s event taking place at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles.

McDonald-O’Brien, who is from Nescliffe, is one of seven England Golf players named in the eight-woman squad to tackle the Americans from June 12-14 as GB & Ireland look to defend the trophy they won in Sunningdale in 2024.

England Golf Group chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “English representation in the Curtis Cup team is a testament to the outstanding work of our performance coaching team and staff, as well as the incredible volunteers across the country who help inspire new levels of development and achievement throughout our Performance Pathway.

“And for our players… everyone has earned their place in the team through their dedication, discipline and passion, producing fantastic form and results over the past 12 months.

“I have no doubt they are all tremendously excited to represent GB&I in the most prestigious of matches!”

GB&I have won the Curtis Cup 11 times, while the USA have won 32 times in the 94-year history of the event - with this year’s event being screened on Sky Sports.

Former Moreton Hall student McDonald-O’Brien, who honed her skills at Shrewsbury Golf Club, is now continuing her golf journey at Arizona State University while on the England Golf Performance Pathway.

The 19 year-old has been impressing in the States and recorded top five finishes at 2025 Notre Dame Clover Cup and NCAA Gold Canyon Regional, and a third-place finish at PING ASU Invitational.

She also reached the quarter-finals of this year's Women's Amateur Championship and helped GB&I win the 2025 Vagliano Trophy against Europe and England triumph in the 2025 Women's & Men's Home Internationals.