Anna Nordqvist, the celebrated Solheim Cup captain who led Team Europe to a thrilling 15-13 victory on home soil, has hinted that she might once again take the reins for the European side in the future. The Swedish star guided her team to a decisive win at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, where Europe clinched seven of the twelve singles matches and reclaimed the trophy in front of a jubilant home crowd.
The triumph caps a whirlwind few months for Nordqvist. Earlier in the season she announced her retirement from competitive play, a decision that came just weeks before the Solheim Cup.
Balancing the responsibilities of captaincy with a full LPGA schedule proved to be "a lot more" than she had anticipated, and she admitted that stepping away from the tour gave her the mental space needed to focus on leading the team. When reporters asked whether she would consider returning as captain for the 2028 edition, Nordqvist responded with a characteristic mix of humor and humility: "No, I'm retiring tomorrow!" She quickly added, "You're never going to say never, but I just need a little bit of time off. I don't know what my future holds. Obviously I just retired from playing two weeks ago." She described the emotional challenge of not being able to swing a club during the competition: "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." The former world number one also noted how watching her teammates compete could be even more nerve‑wracking than playing herself, yet she was constantly impressed by their skill and composure.
Looking ahead, Nordqvist said she hopes to stay connected to the sport in some capacity, but she also wants to enjoy a brief period of rest: "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." Nordqvist follows in the footsteps of previous European captains such as Suzann Pettersen, who led Europe to a tied 14‑14 result in 2023 and a loss in 2024, and Catriona Matthew, the only European to win back‑to‑back Solheim Cups as captain (Gleneagles 2019 and Ohio 2021). Matthew praised Nordqvist's achievement and suggested that Europe might give her the option to continue: "Europe may give Anna [Nordqvist] the choice to carry on.
An away match is so different; it requires a different type of captaincy." She added, "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." Nordqvist's performance was lauded by her American counterpart, Angela Stanford, who said the Swedish captain "seemed to handle everything very well" and called her "a great captain." Her players echoed the sentiment. Charley Hull, who opened the Sunday singles for Europe, described the week as "really, really enjoyable" and praised Nordqvist's leadership style.
The captain's support staff included vice‑captains Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid and Anne van Dam, with Dame Laura Davies also present in the team room. Former LET player Sophie Walker explained what makes a good captain: "A captain is somebody that you'd like to be on tour around players. I got the impression that, before this Solheim Cup started, it was one and done for Nordqvist. But when you win, you just never know, do you?" Walker continued, "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." 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 around Nordqvist's potential return is already heating up.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether the Swedish star, fresh from a victorious debut, will be asked to steer Europe again on foreign soil. Beyond the immediate question of captaincy, Nordqvist's broader impact on women's golf continues to grow. Her decision to retire from playing at a relatively young age underscores a shifting landscape where former players can transition into leadership, commentary, or mentorship roles, enriching the sport with their experience. As the LPGA and LET evolve, figures like Nordqvist illustrate the multiple pathways elite golfers can pursue after their playing days.
In summary, Anna Nordqvist has left the door ajar for a possible second stint as Europe’s Solheim Cup captain. While she emphasizes the need for a short break to recharge, her recent success, the praise from peers, and the endorsement from former captains suggest that a return is a realistic scenario.
Whether she steps back into the captain’s chair for the 2028 showdown in Kentucky remains to be seen, but the sentiment among teammates and officials is clear: her leadership was effective, appreciated, and perhaps still very much needed for future European triumphs.