Team Europe restored its hold on the Solheim Cup on a dramatic Sunday in the Netherlands, edging Team USA 15‑13 after a decisive day of singles play. The contest began the final day with the teams deadlocked at 8‑8, meaning Europe needed at least 6.5 points from the ten singles matches to secure the trophy. Two years after a defeat on American soil, the Europeans entered the day with confidence, bolstered by Charley Hull’s early lead.
Hull opened the singles roster by defeating Megan Khang 3&2, immediately putting a point on the board and setting a positive tone for her side. The early momentum swung back and forth. Anna Nordqvist’s squad briefly held a lead in eight of the twelve matches after Linn Grant dispatched Angel Yin with a flawless 4&3 performance, capping a perfect week for the Swedish star. Grant’s victory pushed Europe further ahead, but the United States refused to surrender.
Alison Lee staged a remarkable comeback, erasing a four‑hole deficit to win 1 up against Esther Henseleit, injecting fresh hope into the American camp. World No. 1 Nelly Korda answered the challenge by beating rookie Mimi Rhodes 4&3, leveling the overall score and reminding everyone that the contest was still very much alive.
Europe, however, continued to pile on points. Nastasia Nadaud secured a 3&2 win over Andrea Lee, Nanna Koerstz Madsen overcame Allisen Corpuz, and Julia Lopez Ramirez defeated Yealimi Noh, each adding crucial half‑points that nudged the tally toward the required 15. The pivotal moment arrived when Lottie Woad defeated Auston Kim, raising the European total to 14 and sparking jubilant celebrations among the hosts. The atmosphere was electric as the veteran Carlota Ciganda, who had already guaranteed at least a half‑point, stepped onto the final match.
In a repeat of her 2023 heroics, Ciganda bested Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the victory for Europe on home soil. The day’s drama was amplified by the weather.
Earlier, Kupcho’s spectacular birdies on Saturday night had convinced Team USA captain Angela Stanford that the tide was turning in their favor. Yet the rain‑soaked conditions on Sunday seemed to favor the Europeans, who capitalized on every opening. Hull, who had previously thrashed Korda 6&4 in the 2022 singles, was again entrusted with the opening match.
She opened with a par, never fell behind, matched Khang’s birdie on the eighth hole, and then dominated the two back‑nine par‑fives to close out a convincing win. Hull reflected on her performance, saying, "I gave myself a lot of chances, which can be frustrating when they don’t pay off, but I stayed steady and hit plenty of greens." Her composure set the tone for the rest of the lineup. Grant’s flawless 4‑0‑0 record made her only the ninth player in Solheim Cup history to achieve such a sweep, and Lee’s comeback from four down with just seven holes left mirrored that historic resilience, stunning Henseleit in the process.
Lee noted, "The front nine was tough with the rain, but once the weather cleared, my game found its rhythm." Europe’s younger contingent also delivered. Rookie Nastasia Nadaud, in her debut, defeated Andrea Lee 3&2, marking her third win of the event. Lopez Ramirez capped an unbeaten debut by beating Yealimi Noh, while Madsen’s victory over Corpuz added another vital point. Woad, after a brief slump of three consecutive lost holes on the back nine, rallied to beat Kim, keeping Europe on the brink of triumph.
Ciganda’s early lead against Kupcho proved decisive. After securing the winning point, she expressed her joy: "I’m thrilled.
We’ve built a great team all week, probably one of the strongest squads we’ve had in recent years." Her confidence epitomized the collective spirit that carried Europe across the finish line. Team USA also saw moments of promise. Rookie Lindy Duncan halted Maja Stark’s perfect run, and Lauren Coughlin handed Leona Maguire her first Solheim singles loss, narrowing the margin.
Rose Zhang’s 2‑up win over Celine Boutier added a late‑stage point for the United States, though it was insufficient to overturn the overall deficit. Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist praised the effort: "The amount of work put in by everyone over the past two years, including the support staff, has been extraordinary. The atmosphere was positive throughout the week, and the players responded with strong starts and finishes.
I’m incredibly proud of them." USA captain Angela Stanford acknowledged Europe’s tenacity: "We made many right moves leading up to the event and fought hard, but the Europeans played exceptionally well today. With nothing to lose, they went after the win and delivered. Congratulations to them." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, beginning Thursday. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will pause before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for September 25‑27.
The next Solheim Cup is slated for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, set for September 8‑10. Fans can stay updated on Sky Sports deals or stream the action on NOW without a contract. Golf enthusiasts are also invited to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, ensuring the spirit of the game continues beyond the tournament.