Team Europe’s captain, Anna Nordqvist, was swift to dismiss any insinuations that the Bernardus Golf course had been deliberately configured to favor the European side during the Solheim Cup. After a tightly contested event in the Netherlands, Europe secured a 15‑13 win over the United States, clinching the victory in the final round of singles matches.
The competition was dead‑locked at 8‑8 after the first two days of play, setting up a dramatic finale. U.S.
captain Angela Stanford, however, voiced the belief that her squad had been disadvantaged throughout the tournament, citing the perceived slowness of the greens as a key factor. During the post‑tournament press conference, Stanford remarked, "Europe played well. I don’t think we played badly; we simply didn’t convert enough putts.
If you listen to everything I’ve ever said, Europeans always putt better. I still don’t understand why. I have a theory, but I’m not ready to share it now. Apparently I didn’t get to know the superintendent as well as I should have." When further questioned about whether she was referring to green speeds that differed from her expectations, Stanford added, "Even when we arrived in July, the greens were faster than we anticipated.
I don’t think rain was the cause either. Ultimately, it’s my responsibility to ensure the team is prepared." She continued, "I’m kicking myself for not pushing harder on the putting practice. We needed to learn how to strike the ball a bit harder on the greens, which is a tough adjustment.
I’m frustrated that I didn’t emphasize that point enough." Nordqvist seemed taken aback by the implication that the course had been set up to disadvantage the Americans when the issue was raised at her own press conference. She responded, "We’re in Europe in September; we know the weather can be unpredictable. I’m not convinced the course was tailored for Europe because these players compete on the same venues week after week." She explained, "We arrived in July during a hot, dry spell, so the course played a little firmer back then. In the weeks leading up to the matches, we experienced a lot of rain, and the conditions softened considerably.
If anything, the greens were softer than we expected, but that’s simply the weather—something we can’t control." The American side had a moment of celebration on Saturday evening when Jennifer Kupcho sank two clutch putts to secure a late win for the visitors, tying the overall score at 8‑8 and preventing Europe from entering the final day with a 9‑7 lead. Stanford, however, rejected the notion that the U.S. team had reached an emotional peak too early. She said, "It’s a delicate balance because you never want to diminish those high‑energy moments.
The worst thing I could do would be to tell the team to dial it back. Those feelings are part of the competition, and we can’t take them away." Stanford added, "We probably won’t experience that exact surge again, but the players handled it admirably. I spoke with Kupcho and the rest of the squad, and they acknowledged they felt a bit high‑on‑their‑feet after the win, but they also rested well and were ready to refocus." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open, which begins Thursday at La Sella Golf Resort. 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 and will be hosted at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10. Fans can stay updated on the latest Sky Sports offers or stream matches without a contract on the NOW platform. For golfers interested in booking a round, there are competitive rates available at more than 1,700 courses throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Simply enter a course name, city, or postal code to find the best deals. In summary, while the U.S. captain highlighted concerns about green speed and preparation, the European captain maintained that the course conditions reflected natural weather patterns rather than any intentional bias. The tight scoreline and dramatic singles matches underscored the intensity of the Solheim Cup, and both teams will carry the lessons learned into upcoming tournaments on the LET and LPGA circuits.