"I will trade the dartboard for the golf course" - Gian van Veen swaps the oche for a unique Solheim Cup challenge

With the Solheim Cup set to be played this week, Gian van Veen has opted to put the darts down and switch up sports as he looks forward to watching an enthralling week of golf with a twist that will see him test his golfing skills on the big stage.

With it being held at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt in van Veen's home country of the Netherlands, this is the perfect opportunity the world number three has to go and watch the golf.

The Solheim Cup follows a similar pathway to the Ryder Cup. The best female golfers from Europe and USA will team up and clash against one another in a very unique event. While no prize money up for grabs, it is all about honour and prestige with the golden opportunity for players to represent their countries.

The twentieth edition will be held from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13, 2026 near Den Bosch, which will host a couple of Players Championship events in the upcoming future. For the time being, van Veen's focus is not on darts, switching over to golf for a few days. "I am really looking forward to the Solheim Cup, which will take place here in the Netherlands," he said in a video on Instagram.

Before the event starts, van Veen will have the chance to test his skills on the course. "I will participate in the All-Star Challenge, where I will trade the dartboard for the golf course," he continued.

This will be played before the actual competition takes place on Thursday, September 10. He is not the only recognisable name in action with more familiar faces from the world of sport and entertainment participating.

"Van Veen will first sit down for a short Q&A session and then take up his golf clubs himself," a press release read.

The Dutchman explained what was going to occur. "I will take on a three-hole challenge with stars from all over the world." He kept the other names competing close to his chest. "So keep an eye out to find out who they will be."

Van Veen has not lit up the darts scene as much as he did last year in what was a breakout year for the 24-year-old. He will soon defend his European Championship title in Dortmund as he tries to get back to his scintillating best in the weeks that lead up to it and all the other big major tournaments.

A brace of quarter-finals Down Under on the World Series of Darts was followed by another last-eight appearance on the European Tour in Budapest before his most recent outing ending in the third round of the Czech Darts Open with Ross Smith defeating him 6-3.

Just over the Netherlands border, van Veen will again be in action in the Flanders Darts Trophy as he searches for a maiden European Tour title and the spark that will rekindle that electric form showcased regularly last year.