Anna Nordqvist, the freshly crowned Solheim Cup captain who steered Europe to a 15‑13 triumph over the United States on home soil, has hinted that she might not be done with the role just yet. The Swedish star, who captained the European side at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, oversaw a decisive seven‑out‑of‑twelve singles victories that clinched the trophy for the first time since the team’s last home win.
While she announced her retirement from competitive play just weeks before the event, Nordqvist left the door ajar for a possible comeback as captain in future editions of the competition. The victory was the culmination of a whirlwind few months for Nordqvist, who admitted that balancing the responsibilities of captaincy with a full LPGA schedule proved far more demanding than she had anticipated. In the lead‑up to the Solheim Cup, she announced a mid‑season retirement, opting to step away from tournament golf to assess her next steps. When reporters asked whether she would consider taking the helm again for the 2028 Solheim Cup, she responded with a wry smile, "No, I'm retiring tomorrow!" before quickly adding, "You're never going to say never, but I need a little time off.
I just retired from playing two weeks ago." Nordqvist described the emotional challenge of not being able to hit a shot during the week-long event, yet she also highlighted the rewarding feeling of contributing to the team in a different capacity. "It was hard at times this week to not hit a shot, but it's really nice and rewarding to see that there are so many other ways in golf you can stay involved and get the same feeling," she explained. She noted that watching the players compete can be just as nerve‑wracking as playing herself, but witnessing their skill and determination only deepened her admiration for the game.
Looking ahead, Nordqvist expressed a desire to stay connected to golf in some form, while also emphasizing the need for a short break to recover from the intense schedule. "Hopefully I can stay involved in golf in one way or another, but I'm going to enjoy a little bit of time off in the next couple weeks and hopefully catch up a little bit of rest – there hasn't been much lately," she said.
The context of her potential return is worth noting. Europe’s recent captains have set a high bar.
Suzann Pettersen guided the team to a tie‑win in 2023 and a narrow loss in 2024, while Catriona Matthew remains the only European captain to have secured back‑to‑back Solheim Cups, delivering a dramatic home victory at Gleneagles in 2019 and an away win in Ohio two years later. Matthew praised Nordqvist’s achievement and suggested that Europe might give her the option to continue. "Europe may give Anna the choice to carry on," Matthew told Sky Sports.
"An away match is so different, it requires a different type of captaincy." Matthew also warned against lingering too long in a role when fresh leadership is waiting. "You don't want to hog it too long, as others are waiting. I think you need to let them cherish this one before you look too far ahead.
The 2028 Solheim Cup will be hotly contested. Europe have some rookies now who you have to think will be the backbone of the team for years to come," she added. Nordqvist’s performance as captain earned praise from her American counterpart, Angela Stanford, who remarked that Nordqvist "seemed to handle everything very well" and was "a great captain." Her own players echoed that sentiment.
Charley Hull, who opened the Sunday singles for Europe, described the week as "really, really enjoyable" and lauded Nordqvist’s leadership. Vice‑captains Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid and Anne van Dam, along with veteran Laura Davies, also contributed to a supportive team environment. Former LET player Sophie Walker offered a broader perspective on what makes a good captain, saying, "A captain is somebody that you'd like to be on tour around players." She reflected on the perception that Nordqvist’s captaincy might have been a one‑off opportunity, but winning the cup changes the narrative.
"When you win, you just never know, do you? There were 12 players, three vice‑captains and all those helpers that would love Nordqvist to be captain again. I think she's been really successful not only because she's won the cup, but successful in the team room as well," Walker explained.
The next Solheim Cup is scheduled for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, set for September 8‑10. While the official announcement of the 2028 European captain is unlikely until next year, the conversation surrounding Nordqvist’s future involvement is already heating up. Whether she returns to the captain’s chair or finds another avenue to contribute to the sport, her recent success has cemented her status as a respected leader in women’s golf.
In summary, Anna Nordqvist’s debut as Solheim Cup captain was a resounding success, delivering Europe’s first home victory in the event’s recent history. Though she has stepped away from competitive play, she has left the possibility of a future captaincy open, with many in the golfing community eager to see if she will once again guide the European team on the world stage.