Anna Nordqvist expressed her admiration for every participant in Team Europe’s victorious Solheim Cup campaign, emphasizing that placing Charley Hull at the top of the Sunday singles lineup was an obvious decision. The European side reclaimed the trophy after a dramatic final day at Bernardus Golf, which was marked by rain and challenging conditions. Europe secured seven of the twelve points on offer, edging out Team USA with a 15-13 margin.
The momentum shift came after a thrilling conclusion to the previous day when Jennifer Kupcho’s late birdies forced a tie in the biennial contest. Europe responded with resilience, ultimately achieving their first outright win since 2021.
Nordqvist, speaking to Sky Sports, described the victory as "so good" and highlighted the extensive preparation that had taken place over the past two years, not only from the players but also from the support staff. "The team behind us has been phenomenal this week, making it effortless for the competitors to focus solely on their game," she said.
"We felt a fantastic vibe throughout the tournament, and every teammate was supportive. When we left the course on Saturday, we were eager for Sunday, and I was genuinely impressed by every player and caddie who stepped up to the first tee ready to compete." Nordqvist noted that Europe’s early lead on the scoreboard was significant, attributing it to the fast starts that many teams displayed given the course conditions. She praised the squad for both a strong opening and a strong finish, underscoring her pride in their consistency. In the singles, Charley Hull delivered a commanding 6&4 win over Korda, reinforcing the captain’s confidence in her despite Hull having contributed only half a point in the first four sessions alongside Lottie Woad.
Hull’s performance validated Nordqvist’s strategy, as she secured a full point for Europe. "Putting Charley first was a no‑brainer," Nordqvist explained.
"The statistics from Saturday showed that Charley and Lottie were among the top four players for birdies throughout the week. Even though they hadn’t amassed many points yet, they had played very tough matches. People often overlook how strong these players are and how high the overall standard of golf has been over the past three days." Both English players faced the unusual prospect of becoming the first Solheim Cup participants to play in five sessions without a win, a scenario made more plausible after a record‑tying 6&5 loss in the Saturday foursomes.
Hull, however, never fell behind in her 3&2 victory over Megan Khang, marking her first full point of the competition. Europe’s early dominance in the singles—winning six of the first eight matches—was a historic achievement that propelled them toward the overall victory. Hull reflected on her performance, acknowledging the frustration of missed opportunities but emphasizing her steady play and ability to hit greens despite the inclement weather. "I talked to Mel Reid, our vice‑captain, and she reminded me that I was the third‑most birdie‑rich player this week, even though I was up against Yealimi Noh, who has been sinking putts all weekend," Hull said.
"Match play can be unforgiving, but I’m pleased to have contributed a point, even if it’s just one and a half of the total. It’s better than none." Lottie Woad also broke her personal drought, clinching her first Solheim Cup win by defeating Auston Kim and pushing the European total to 14 points, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. She later added a decisive putt to secure the final victory for Europe alongside Carlota Ciganda’s win over Jennifer Kupcho.
Woad described the emotional journey: "I was disappointed for a while, feeling like I was playing well but not translating that into points. The captains reminded me that I was third on birdies, which gave me confidence. Golf can be unpredictable, but I trusted the process and ended up making the winning putt." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, commencing Thursday. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will pause for a brief hiatus before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for September 25‑27.
The next Solheim Cup is slated for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, set for September 8‑10. Fans can stay updated on the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract via NOW.