Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist was swift to reject any insinuations that the Bernardus Golf Course had been deliberately configured to favor the home side during this year’s Solheim Cup. The Swedish veteran, who led Europe to a 15‑13 triumph over the United States after the final singles matches in the Netherlands, emphasized that the venue was prepared in a standard, impartial manner. The competition had been dead‑locked at 8‑8 after the first two days of foursomes and fourball play, setting up a dramatic final day. Yet USA captain Angela Stanford voiced concerns during the post‑tournament press conference, suggesting that the slower green speeds had placed her team at a disadvantage throughout the event.
"Europe played well. I don’t think we played badly; we simply didn’t make enough putts," Stanford said.
"If you’ve ever heard me speak, you’ll know I always say Europeans putt better. I still can’t explain why, though I have a theory – but I’m not ready to share it now." She added that she perhaps had not cultivated a close enough relationship with the course superintendent, implying that a deeper understanding of the greens might have helped the Americans adjust their strategy. When pressed about whether she was referring specifically to the unexpected green speeds, Stanford clarified: "Even when we arrived in July, the greens were faster than we anticipated.
It wasn’t the rain either – it was simply a condition we weren’t prepared for. Ultimately, it’s my job to ensure the team is ready for any surface." She continued, expressing personal frustration: "I keep kicking myself for not pushing the team harder on the putting drill.
We needed to learn how to strike the ball a bit harder on the greens, which is a tough adjustment. I wish I had emphasized that point more aggressively." Nordqvist, taken aback by the indirect criticism of the course, addressed the issue directly at her own press conference. "We’re in Europe in September, and we all know how variable the weather can be," she said. "I’m not convinced the course was set up to suit Europe.
These players compete on the same courses week after week, so they’re accustomed to a range of conditions." She explained that the tournament began in July during an unusually hot and dry spell, which naturally made the fairways and greens firmer. "When the event started, the course played a little differently because of the heat and lack of moisture.
Then, over the past two weeks, we’ve had a lot of rain, and this week the weather turned wet again. As a result, the greens softened, which is simply a product of the climate, not a deliberate design choice." The Americans had enjoyed a thrilling moment on Saturday evening when Jennifer Kupcho sank two spectacular putts to clinch a late victory, leveling the overall score at 8‑8 instead of trailing 9‑7 heading into the final day. Stanford dismissed any notion that the team had reached an emotional peak too soon.
"You never want to dampen that momentum," she said. "The worst thing I could do would be to tell them to pull back from that high. Those moments are priceless, and we can’t recreate them." She added that the team felt refreshed after a good night’s rest, though they recognized the emotional surge required a brief adjustment period: "We talked with Jennifer and the rest of the squad, and everyone agreed we got solid rest, but it did take a minute to settle down after such a high‑energy finish." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open, which kicks off Thursday at the La Sella Golf Resort. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will pause for a week before resuming with the Walmart N Arkansas Championship from September 25‑27.
The next Solheim Cup is slated for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, scheduled for September 8‑10. Fans can stay tuned for the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract on NOW. Golf enthusiasts can also find competitive rates and book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland by entering a location or postcode on the booking platform.