Anna Nordqvist could not hide her delight after Team Europe clinched the Solheim Cup, praising every competitor on the field and explaining why she felt it was an obvious choice to send Charley Hull out first in the Sunday singles. The event, held at the rain‑soaked Bernardus Golf Course, saw Europe overturn the scoreline on the final day, securing seven of the twelve points on offer and edging Team USA 15‑13 for their first outright victory since 2021. The Europeans believed they had shifted momentum in their favour after a dramatic finish the previous afternoon, when Jennifer Kupcho’s late‑round birdies brought the United States level.
Yet the continent’s side responded with resolve, turning the tide and delivering a performance that would be remembered for its resilience and teamwork. "This win feels amazing," Nordqvist told Sky Sports, her voice brimming with emotion. "We’ve put in a massive amount of work over the past week and the two years leading up to this, not just me but the whole support crew.
The staff have been phenomenal, making everything run smoothly so the players could focus on their game. The atmosphere in the camp has been fantastic – everyone has been supportive and truly a team‑player. She continued, "When we left the course yesterday we were buzzing for today.
I was genuinely impressed by every single player and caddie who stepped up to the first tee, ready to give it their all. The early part of the competition was heavily in Europe’s favour.
We talked a lot about how quickly the matches started, given the conditions of the course, and I’m incredibly proud of the squad for both a strong start and a strong finish." Hull’s performance in the singles was a key factor in Europe’s success. Two years earlier she had thrashed Karolin Korda 6&4, and despite only contributing half a point in the first four sessions alongside Lottie Woad, her confidence was rewarded when she secured a full point on Sunday. Nordqvist explained the reasoning behind the lineup: "Putting Charley first was a no‑brainer.
The statistics from yesterday showed that Charley and Lottie were among the top four birdie‑makers for the week. Even though they hadn’t amassed many points yet, they had played the toughest matches and demonstrated the quality that sometimes goes unnoticed." Both English players were under pressure, facing the prospect of becoming the first Solheim participants to appear in five sessions without a win. Their earlier defeats, including a record‑tying 6&5 loss in the Saturday foursomes, added to the stakes.
Hull, however, never fell behind in her 3&2 victory over Megan Khang, delivering her first full point of the tournament and helping Europe achieve an unprecedented six wins out of the first eight singles matches. Hull reflected on her own journey: "I’ve given myself countless chances, which can be frustrating when you don’t convert them.
I didn’t make many long putts today, but I was steady, hitting a lot of greens despite the poor weather. I spoke with Mel Reid, our vice‑captain, and she reminded me that I was the third‑most prolific birdie‑maker this week, even after facing Yealimi Noh, who has been on fire lately. Match play can be unforgiving – you can play well and still lose points.
I’m just glad I secured a point for the team, even if it’s only half a point more than before." Woad also broke her personal drought, defeating Auston Kim to claim her first Solheim point and pushing the European tally to 14. Her win sparked jubilant celebrations among the Europeans, and she later added a crucial point by beating Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the overall victory. "Winning was incredibly important to me," Woad admitted after her match. "I was feeling disappointed, thinking I was playing good golf but not translating that into points, and I felt like I was letting the team down.
The captains reminded me that I was third on the birdie list, so I knew I was playing well. Golf can be strange like that – you have to trust the process, and eventually the winning putt fell to me." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, beginning Thursday. 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 scheduled for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, set for September 8‑10, promising another chapter in the storied rivalry between Europe and the United States.
The Solheim Cup victory underscored the depth of talent on the European side, the strategic acumen of captain Suzann Pettersen, and the importance of seizing momentum at critical moments. Nordqvist’s praise for her teammates, the strategic deployment of Charley Hull, and the resilience shown by players like Hull and Woad all contributed to a narrative of perseverance and collective effort. As the season progresses, the European players will aim to build on this success, while the United States will look to regroup and challenge for the trophy in the next edition.