Team USA managed to fend off a dramatic late rally from Team Europe, ultimately preserving their hold on the Junior Soliman Cup with a slim 13‑11 triumph on Dutch soil. The American side, led by Morgan Pressel, had already built a comfortable cushion after the first day, establishing a seven‑point advantage that meant they only needed 2.5 points on the final singles day to clinch the trophy and three points to win it outright. That target mirrored the pressure the European squad faced in last year’s Ryder Cup, when they clung to a narrow victory after a similar comeback attempt.
This time, however, the pressure fell on Europe as Anne van Dam’s contingent pressed hard, hoping to force an unprecedented reversal of fortunes. On Sunday, Europe captured 8.5 of the 12 points on offer, turning the final day into a nail‑biting contest.
England’s Annabel Peaford kicked off the singles session with a spectacular finish, winning three of her last four holes to edge world No. 1 Asterisk Talley 1‑up in the opening match. Peaford’s comeback set the tone for a day in which Europe fought back hole by hole, yet they ultimately fell short for the second year in a row.
Pressel praised her squad after the match, noting, “Coaching a team with this level of talent is a privilege. They stayed composed when it mattered most, and both sides displayed tremendous heart.
Watching them compete was pure enjoyment.” Europe’s hopes of a home‑soil comeback seemed to dwindle when Eliana Saga secured a 4‑and‑3 victory over Adriana Garcia Terol and Madeleine Conser defeated Lana Guyot 5‑4, narrowing the gap to just half a point away from retaining the cup. Talley, who appeared poised to earn the United States’ first point of the day after leading 2‑up with four holes remaining, saw her lead evaporate when Peaford parred the 15th, birdied the 16th, and then captured the next two holes to snatch a remarkable win. Lauren Crump delivered a 3‑and‑2 win over Amber Lee, while Anna Ludvova surged ahead with three consecutive holes around the turn, ultimately prevailing 2‑1 over Grace Carter.
Lena Geier clinched a dramatic final‑hole victory against Aubrey Hilgers, adding another point to Europe’s tally. Further contributions came from Sofia Maier‑Borst and Axelle Guillemard, who defeated Amélie Zalsman and Honorine Ferry respectively, keeping alive the faint possibility of a European upset.
The decisive moment arrived when Kelly Zhang secured the winning point for the United States, beating Carolina Perez‑Tasso 2‑up and cementing a 13‑11 final score. In the closing matches, Carlota Lopez Minguela wrapped up a 3‑2 triumph over Iris Lee, while Marta Muñoz birdied the penultimate hole to tie with Anna Fang. Europe continued to chip away at the margin when Alice Kong captured a final‑hole win against Lily Peng.
Van Dam expressed pride in her team’s effort, stating, “I couldn’t be prouder; they gave everything they had. The U.S. girls are phenomenal, but our players fought with such determination that they’re still smiling tonight despite the loss.” Sky Sports Golf provided extensive coverage of the event, broadcasting at least twelve hours of live action across the first two days. Coverage began at 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday, leading up to the opening foursomes tee‑off at 6:40 a.m. (7:40 a.m. local time). The afternoon four‑ball sessions started at 12:05 p.m.
(1:05 p.m. local time) on both days, with commentary continuing through the final putt.
Sunday’s singles matches were televised from 9 a.m., with the first tee shot at 10:10 a.m. Sky Sports+ streamed the closing ceremony live from 5:30 p.m.
on Sunday, following the crowning of the Junior Soliman Cup champions. The opening ceremony on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. introduced the initial pairings for the competition.
Fans eager to follow Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy can watch the entire three‑day event exclusively on Sky Sports Golf, with live coverage scheduled from September 11‑13. Those without a Sky subscription can explore current Sky Sports deals or stream the action via NOW without a contract. Additionally, golf enthusiasts can find competitive rates and book tee times at any of the 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Simply enter a course name, city, or postal code to discover available options and secure a round at a great price.