Team USA managed to fend off a dramatic late rally from Team Europe, preserving their hold on the Junior Solheim Cup with a slim 13‑11 triumph in the Netherlands. The American side, led by Morgan Pressel, had established a commanding seven‑point advantage after the first day, which meant they only needed 2.5 points on the final day’s singles to retain the trophy and three points to win it outright. When the singles matches began at Bernardus Golf on Tuesday, the pressure was palpable.
Europe, aware of the narrow margin, launched an aggressive push that resembled the historic comeback attempt by the European team in the previous year’s Ryder Cup. The Dutch crowd watched anxiously as Anne van Dam’s squad edged closer to a potential record‑breaking reversal. On Sunday, Europe captured 8.5 of the 12 points up for grabs, showcasing a blend of youthful vigor and strategic play.
England’s Annabel Peaford delivered a memorable performance, winning three of her last four holes to defeat world‑number‑one Asterisk Talley 1‑up in the opening match. Despite this early spark, Europe suffered a second consecutive loss in the overall competition.
Pressel reflected on her team’s composure, saying, “Coaching a group with this level of talent is a privilege, but what impresses me most is how they rise to the occasion when it matters most. Both sides displayed tremendous heart, and it was a joy to watch.” The prospect of a home‑soil comeback seemed to fade when Eliana Saga secured a 4&3 victory over Adriana Garcia Terol and Madeleine Conser beat Lana Guyot 5&4, narrowing the gap to just half a point.
Talley, who had appeared poised to earn the United States’ first point of the day by leading 2‑up with four holes remaining, saw her lead evaporate as Peaford steadied the match with a par on the 15th, a birdie on the 16th, and then seized the next two holes to clinch a remarkable win. Lauren Crump added to the American tally by defeating Amber Lee 3&2, while Anna Ludvova captured three consecutive holes around the turn to win 2&1 over Grace Carter. In another tight contest, Lena Geier edged out Aubrey Hilgers on the final hole, delivering a crucial point to Europe. Sofia Maier‑Borst and Axelle Guillemard each overcame Amelie Zalsman and Honorine Ferry respectively, keeping the dream of an improbable European victory alive.
The decisive moment arrived when Kelly Zhang secured the winning point for the United States with a 2‑up triumph over Carolina Perez‑Tasso, sealing the 13‑11 final score. Carlota Lopez Minguela closed her match with a 3&2 win over Iris Lee, and Marta Munoz forced a tie with Anna Fang by birdieing the penultimate hole.
Europe continued to chip away at the margin when Alice Kong won on the final hole against Lily Peng. Van Dam praised both teams, stating, “I’m incredibly proud of what our girls have accomplished. The U.S.
side is formidable, but our players gave everything they had, and that’s why they’re still smiling after the final putt.” Sky Sports Golf provided extensive coverage of the event, broadcasting over 12 hours of live action across the first two days. Coverage began at 6 a.m.
local time on Friday and Saturday, leading up to the opening foursomes tee‑off at 6:40 a.m. (7:40 a.m.
local). The afternoon four‑ball sessions started at 12:05 p.m.
(1:05 p.m. local) each day, with commentary continuing through the final putt. Sunday’s singles matches were televised from 9 a.m., with the first tee‑off 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 Solheim Cup champions. The opening ceremony, held on Thursday at 4:30 p.m., introduced the day‑one pairings. Fans eager to follow the senior Solheim Cup can watch Team Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days of action scheduled for September 11‑13 on Sky Sports Golf. Those without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream the golf action contract‑free via NOW.
Additionally, golfers can find competitive rates and book tee times at over 1,700 courses throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. By entering a course name, city, or postal code, players can discover nearby options and secure the best possible price for their round.