Anna Nordqvist could not hide her enthusiasm after Team Europe clinched the Solheim Cup, praising every competitor on the field and explaining why she felt it was an obvious choice to send Charley Hull out first in the Sunday singles. The event, held at the rain‑soaked Bernardus Golf Course, saw Europe capture seven of the twelve points on the final day, edging out Team USA 15‑13 for their first outright victory since 2021.
Nordqvist reflected on the dramatic swing in momentum that occurred the night before. After Jennifer Kupcho’s clutch birdies had levelled the match, Europe responded with a surge that ultimately turned the tide in their favour. "This win feels incredible," she told Sky Sports. "We have put in a massive amount of work over the past two years, not just me but the entire support team behind us.
The staff have been phenomenal, making everything run smoothly so the players could focus on their golf. The atmosphere in the camp has been positive all week, and everyone has been a great teammate." She went on to describe the excitement she felt walking onto the first tee on Sunday.
"Leaving the course yesterday, we were buzzing for today, and I was genuinely impressed by every player and caddie who stepped up to that tee ready to compete. The board was heavily in our favour early on, and we talked a lot about the fast starts we needed given the conditions of the course. I am extremely proud of the team for both starting strong and finishing even stronger." The victory was highlighted by Charley Hull’s dominant performance in the singles.
Hull, who had only managed half a point in the first four sessions alongside teammate Lottie Woad, was placed at the top of the order by Nordqvist. "It was a no‑brainer to put Charley first," Nordqvist explained. "The statistics from yesterday showed that Charley and Lottie were among the top four players for birdies throughout the week. Even though they hadn’t accumulated many points, they played very tough matches and demonstrated the depth of talent we have." Hull lived up to the captain’s confidence, delivering a 3&2 win over Megan Khang without ever falling behind.
Her victory marked Europe’s sixth win in the first eight singles matches – a historic first for the team. Hull admitted that the week had been frustrating at times. "I’ve given myself many chances and it’s been tough when they don’t convert," she said. "The weather was challenging, but I stayed steady, hit a lot of greens and kept my composure." She also recounted a conversation with vice‑captain Mel Reid, who reminded her that she was one of the three players with the most birdies that week, and that her opponent, Yealimi Noh, had been in excellent form.
"Match play can be unforgiving – you can play well and still lose points. I’m happy to have earned a point this week, even if it’s just one and a half. It’s better than none!" Hull added.
Lottie Woad, who had struggled earlier in the competition, finally secured her first Solheim Cup point by defeating Auston Kim, pushing the European tally to 14 and sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. She later faced Carlota Ciganda, who beat Jennifer Kupcho to seal the overall victory. "Winning was crucial for me," Woad said. "I was disappointed earlier, feeling like I was playing good golf but not contributing points, and I thought I was letting the team down.
The captains reminded me that I was third on the birdie list, so I trusted my game and eventually made the winning putt." The tournament’s success has set the stage for the next phase of the Ladies European Tour, which heads to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will take a brief hiatus before resuming with the Walmart N Arkansas Championship in late September. Looking ahead, the Solheim Cup will return in 2028, moving to Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10.
Fans can stay updated on Sky Sports’ latest deals or stream the action without a contract on NOW. The triumph in 2026 not only restored Europe’s pride but also highlighted the depth of talent across the continent, underscoring how strategic captaincy decisions, such as Nordqvist’s bold move to start Hull, can shape the outcome of one of women’s golf’s most prestigious events.