Team Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup on a dramatic Sunday at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, edging Team USA 15-13 after a day filled with rain, resilience, and clutch performances. Entering the final singles session the competition was dead‑locked at 8‑8, meaning the European side needed just 6.5 points from the twelve singles matches to clinch the trophy, a reversal of fortunes from two years earlier when they had fallen to the Americans. Charley Hull set the tone early, opening the singles with a confident 3&2 win over Megan Khang that gave Europe an immediate lead.
Hull’s victory was more than a point; it signaled that the Europeans were ready to seize the momentum. Throughout the morning, eight of the twelve matches swung in Europe’s favour, and the lead widened when Sweden’s Linn Grant defeated Angel Yin with a flawless 4&3 result, completing a perfect week for the rising star.
The United States, however, refused to surrender. Alison Lee produced a remarkable comeback, erasing a four‑hole deficit to triumph 1 up against Germany’s Esther Henseleit, injecting fresh hope into the American camp. World No. 1 Nelly Korda then level‑ed the contest with a decisive 4&3 victory over rookie Mimi Rhodes, demonstrating why she remains a top contender on the global stage.
Additional points for Europe came from a trio of emerging talents. France’s Nastasia Nadaud bested Andrea Lee 3&2, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen overcame Allisen Corpuz, and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez secured a win over Yealimi Noh, each adding crucial half‑points to the tally.
Lottie Woad’s hard‑fought win against Auston Kim pushed the European total to 14, prompting jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. The final match featured veteran Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who had already guaranteed at least a half‑point.
She delivered a commanding performance against defending champion Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the decisive point and confirming Europe’s triumph on home soil. The day’s drama was amplified by the weather. Earlier on Saturday, Kupcho’s late‑day birdies had convinced USA captain Angela Stanford that the tide was turning in America’s favour. Yet the rain‑soaked Sunday saw Europe regroup and dominate the final session.
Hull, who had previously thrashed Korda 6&4 in the 2024 singles, was again entrusted with the opening match. She produced a steady, green‑in‑regulation display, matching Korda’s birdie on the eighth hole before closing out the match with two decisive birdies on the back‑nine. Grant’s 4‑0‑0 record placed her among an elite group of players who have won all four of their singles matches in a Solheim Cup.
Lee mirrored that achievement for the United States by rallying from four down to beat Henseleit, a testament to her tenacity under pressure. Both players highlighted the challenging conditions, with Lee noting the rain‑laden front nine made birdie opportunities scarce, yet she adapted as the weather cleared. The European rookies proved their worth.
Nadaud’s third win of her debut, Lopez Ramirez’s unbeaten start, and Madsen’s solid play against Corpuz underscored the depth of Europe’s squad. Woad’s resilience after dropping three consecutive holes on the back nine demonstrated mental toughness, while Ciganda’s early lead against Kupcho turned into the winning point that clinched the Cup. Team USA also saw notable moments.
Rookie Lindy Duncan halted Maja Stark’s perfect record, and Lauren Coughlin handed Leona Maguire her first Solheim singles loss, narrowing the margin. Rose Zhang’s 2‑up victory over Celine Boutier gave the United States a final boost, though it was insufficient to overturn Europe’s lead. In post‑match remarks, European captain Anna Nordqvist praised the collective effort: “There’s been so much hard work this week and over the past two years.
The support staff have been amazing, making it easy for the players to focus on their game. We had a great vibe, strong team‑mates, and we started and finished strong.” USA captain Angela Stanford reflected on the narrow defeat: “We did a lot of things right leading up to this and fought hard. The Europeans played great today; they had nothing to lose and they seized the moment.
Congratulations to them.” Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, while the LPGA Tour pauses before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for late September. The next Solheim Cup is slated for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, set for September 8‑10. Fans can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream the coverage via NOW without a contract.
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