Anna Nordqvist could not hide her delight after Team Europe clinched the Solheim Cup, praising every competitor on display and describing the decision to send Charley Hull out first in the Sunday singles as an obvious choice. The event, held at the rain‑soaked Bernardus Golf Course, saw Europe overturn the scoreline on the final day, capturing seven of the twelve points available and securing a 15‑13 victory over the United States.
The comeback was especially sweet after the previous afternoon when Jennifer Kupcho’s dramatic late birdies had levelled the contest, giving the Americans a brief lifeline. Europe, however, responded with determination and ultimately earned their first outright Solheim Cup win since 2021. "This win feels incredible," Nordqvist told Sky Sports.
"We’ve put in countless hours of preparation over the past two years, not just me but the entire support crew. The staff have been phenomenal, making everything run smoothly so the players could focus solely on their game. The atmosphere in the camp was fantastic – everyone was supportive and eager to contribute." She went on to note how impressed she was with the professionalism of every player and caddie who stepped onto the first tee.
"When we left the course yesterday, we were buzzing with excitement for today’s matches. I was genuinely amazed by the readiness and confidence of each competitor," she said.
Nordqvist highlighted the strong starts Europe had made throughout the week, attributing much of the success to the fast‑playing conditions and the team’s ability to maintain momentum. "We talked a lot about getting off to a quick start, and I’m extremely proud of how the players began and finished each round with such intensity," she added. The strategic move to have Hull open the singles was, according to Nordqvist, a straightforward decision based on the statistics from the previous day.
"We reviewed the numbers and saw that Charley and Lottie were among the top four birdie‑makers for the week. Even though they hadn’t accumulated many points yet, they had played the toughest matches and demonstrated resilience," Nordqvist explained. Hull, who had previously thrashed Korda 6&4 in the 2022 singles, was given the confidence of the captaincy once more. Despite only contributing half a point in the first four sessions alongside Lottie Woad, Hull validated the captain’s faith by securing a full point in her singles match.
"It was a no‑brainer to put Charley first," Nordqvist reiterated. "The stats spoke for themselves, and Charley rose to the occasion." Hull’s performance was decisive; she never fell behind in her 3&2 victory over Megan Khang, delivering Europe’s first full point of the day. This win helped Europe achieve an unprecedented six victories out of the first eight singles matches, pushing the team ever closer to the overall triumph. After the match, Hull reflected on her experience: "I’ve given myself many chances throughout the week, and it’s been frustrating at times.
The weather was tough, but I stayed steady, hit plenty of greens, and kept my composure. I spoke with Mel Reid, our vice‑captain, who reminded me that I was one of the top three birdie‑makers this week. That reassurance helped me focus and ultimately claim the winning point." Lottie Woad also secured her inaugural Solheim Cup win by defeating Auston Kim, moving the European tally to 14 points and igniting jubilant celebrations among the home crowd.
She later described the emotional roller‑coaster of the tournament: "I was disappointed earlier, feeling like I was playing well but not translating that into points. The captains reminded me of my birdie statistics, and that confidence carried me through to make the decisive putt.
Golf can be unpredictable, but that moment proved everything.” The tournament’s excitement was further amplified by other notable performances, including Carlota Ciganda’s victory over Jennifer Kupcho, which sealed the overall win for Europe. As the Solheim Cup concluded, attention turned to upcoming events on the Ladies European Tour, with the next stop being the La Sella Open in Spain at La Sella Golf Resort. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will observe a brief hiatus before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for late September.
Looking ahead, the Solheim Cup will return in 2028, set to be contested at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10. Fans can stay updated on the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract via NOW.
The triumph in Bernardus Golf not only highlighted Europe’s depth of talent but also underscored the importance of strategic decisions, teamwork, and the unwavering belief in each player’s ability to deliver when it matters most.