Anna Nordqvist could not hide her enthusiasm after Team Europe clinched the Solheim Cup, praising every participant and explaining why she felt it was obvious to let Charley Hull start the Sunday singles. The competition concluded at the rain‑soaked Bernardus Golf, where Europe secured seven of the twelve points on offer, edging the United States 15‑13 and reclaiming the trophy for the first time since 2021. Nordqvist told Sky Sports that the victory felt "incredible" after weeks of relentless preparation by both the players and the support staff.
"The whole team has worked unbelievably hard over the past two years and especially this week. The behind‑the‑scenes crew made it easy for us to focus on our games, and the atmosphere was fantastic all through the camp," she said. She added that the moment she left the course after the final round on Saturday, she was already looking forward to Sunday’s singles matches and was impressed by the professionalism of every golfer and caddie who stepped onto the first tee. The European side had turned the tide on Saturday after a dramatic finish in which American Jennifer Kupcho birdied several holes in quick succession to level the match.
Europe responded with a surge of confidence, ultimately achieving a clean‑swept victory that marked their first outright win in three years. Nordqvist highlighted the importance of a strong start, noting that the team’s early momentum set the tone for the rest of the day. "We were ahead on the board early, and the fast starts helped us maintain that pressure," she said. One of the most talked‑about decisions of the day was the choice to send Charley Hull out first in the singles lineup.
Nordqvist described the move as a "no‑brainer" after reviewing the statistics from the preceding sessions. Both Hull and teammate Lottie Woad had recorded the highest number of birdies for the week, even though their point totals were modest. "They didn’t earn many points in the earlier sessions, but they played the toughest matches and showed great resilience," Nordqvist explained. "The data clearly showed they were among the top performers in terms of birdies, so it made sense to give them the opening slots." Hull’s performance justified the captain’s confidence.
She faced Megan Khang in a 3&2 victory, delivering her first full point of the competition and helping Europe win six of the first eight singles matches – a record for the event. Hull reflected on her own experience, admitting that she had been frustrated by missed opportunities earlier in the week. "I didn’t convert as many putts as I’d like, but I stayed steady, hit a lot of greens, and managed the tough weather conditions," she said.
She also recalled a conversation with vice‑captain Mel Reid, who reminded her that she was tied for third in birdies for the tournament, reinforcing the idea that her solid play deserved recognition. Lottie Woad, who had also struggled to find points in the first four sessions, finally broke through by defeating Auston Kim, securing her maiden Solheim Cup win and pushing Europe to 14 points. Woad described the moment as a huge relief after feeling she had let the team down. "I was playing well but not scoring, and the captain pointed out my birdie count.
That gave me confidence, and I managed to sink the winning putt," she said. The weekend’s drama culminated with Carlota Ciganda beating Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the overall victory for the host continent.
The celebrations in the European camp were exuberant, with players and staff reveling in the hard‑earned triumph. 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 for a brief break before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for late September. The next Solheim Cup is set for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, where the competition will return to its biennial rhythm.
In summary, Nordqvist’s post‑match comments highlighted the collective effort behind Europe’s success, the strategic reasoning for Hull’s early singles placement, and the personal redemption stories of both Hull and Woad. Their performances, combined with a strong team spirit and meticulous preparation, turned a rainy, challenging weekend into a historic victory for Team Europe.