Team Europe staged a dramatic comeback on Sunday to secure the Solheim Cup, edging Team USA 15-13 after a rain‑soaked day of singles matches at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. The competition entered the final day tied at eight points each, meaning the Europeans needed just 6.5 points from the twelve singles to clinch the trophy, a goal they achieved with a blend of steady play, clutch performances, and a few late‑day heroics. From the opening tee, England's Charley Hull set the tone for Europe. Hull, who had already contributed half a point in the earlier sessions, opened her singles match against American Megan Khang with a confident 3&2 victory, putting the first point on the board for the home side.
Hull’s win was more than just a point; it signaled that Europe was ready to seize the initiative and put pressure on the United States. Swedish veteran Anna Nordqvist, the European captain, watched as her team briefly took the lead in eight of the twelve matches.
The momentum swung further in Europe’s favor when Norway’s Linn Grant defeated Hong Kong’s Angel Yin with a flawless 4&3 win, completing a perfect 4‑0‑0 record for the day. Grant’s performance placed her among an elite group of players who have never dropped a point in a Solheim Cup singles session. The United States, however, were not ready to concede.
Alison Lee produced a remarkable comeback, erasing a four‑hole deficit to defeat Germany’s Esther Henseleit 1 up. Lee’s resilience gave the Americans a glimmer of hope and kept the overall score within striking distance.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who had been a dominant force throughout the tournament, secured a 4&3 win over rookie Mimi Rhodes, leveling the contest at 10‑10. Yet Europe continued to pile on points as France’s Nastasia Nadaud beat American Andrea Lee 3&2, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen overcame Allisen Corpuz, and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez dispatched Yealimi Noh. Each of these victories nudged the Europeans closer to the six‑and‑a‑half point threshold they required.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch when England’s Lottie Woad defeated South Korea’s Auston Kim, taking the European total to 14 points and igniting celebrations among the home crowd. At that moment, veteran Spanish golfer Carlota Ciganda was guaranteed at least a half‑point, and she delivered the decisive blow by beating defending champion Jennifer Kupcho. Ciganda’s win sealed a 15‑13 triumph for Europe, ending a two‑year drought after their loss to the United States in 2021. In post‑match interviews, Hull reflected on her performance, acknowledging the frustration of missed opportunities earlier in the week but emphasizing her steadiness on the final day: "I’ve been giving myself so many chances, so that’s been quite frustrating.
I didn’t hole a lot today, but I was very steady and hit a lot of greens." Her calm approach paid dividends, especially on the back nine where she captured both par‑fives to clinch the match. Grant, who joined the exclusive club of players with a perfect singles record, praised her consistency, while Lee, after her dramatic comeback, spoke about the challenging weather: "The front nine was pretty tough with the rain coming down. I couldn’t give myself birdie chances, but the weather turned around and so did my game." Their comments highlighted the unpredictable conditions that tested both teams throughout the day.
Europe’s younger contingent also shone. Nadaud, in her debut, secured a third win of the event, and Lopez Ramirez remained unbeaten, reinforcing the depth of the European squad. Madsen’s earlier victory over Corpuz and Woad’s resilience after losing three consecutive holes on the back nine demonstrated the team’s ability to recover quickly under pressure. Ciganda, reflecting on the team atmosphere, said, "I think we had a great team all week.
It’s been one of the best teams we’ve had in recent years." Her sentiment was echoed by captain Anna Nordqvist, who praised the collective effort: "There’s been a lot of hard work this week and over the past two years. The support staff made it easy for the players to focus on their golf. We had a great vibe, everyone was a good teammate, and I’m really proud of the strong start and finish." U.S.
captain Angela Stanford acknowledged the Europeans’ determination: "The Europeans played great today. Their backs were against the wall, they had nothing to lose, and that’s exactly what they did. They came out and played well, so good for them." Stanford also noted the preparation and unity within her own camp, emphasizing that both sides had fought hard and remained on the same page throughout the competition. Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will move to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, while the LPGA Tour pauses before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship later in September.
The next Solheim Cup is scheduled for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, promising another chapter in this storied rivalry. For fans seeking to follow the action, Sky Sports offers streaming options without a contract on NOW, and golfers can book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the official booking platform. The 2024 Solheim Cup will be remembered as a showcase of resilience, teamwork, and the thrilling unpredictability that makes match‑play golf a true spectacle.