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 have Charley Hull tee off first in the Sunday singles. 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 on offer and edging out the United States 15‑13 for their first outright victory since 2021. The momentum shift had begun the night before, when Jennifer Kupcho’s dramatic birdie run forced a tie and set the stage for a dramatic showdown.
Europe responded with confidence, turning the tide and securing a historic win that broke a two‑year drought. Nordqvist, speaking to Sky Sports, described the feeling of victory as "so good" and highlighted the relentless effort put in over the past two years by both the players and the support staff.
"The whole team has been incredible this week," she said. "The behind‑the‑scenes crew made everything run smoothly, allowing us to focus on our game. The atmosphere was electric, and every teammate stepped up when it mattered most." When asked about the atmosphere on the morning of the singles, Nordqvist recalled her impression of the field: "Walking onto the first tee, I was blown away by the professionalism of every player and caddie. They were all ready, focused, and eager to compete." She noted that Europe had enjoyed a strong start throughout the competition, attributing it to the fast‑playing conditions of the course and the players’ ability to seize early opportunities.
"We talked a lot about getting off to a quick start, and the guys delivered. I’m extremely proud of how we began and how we finished," she added. The decision to place Charley Hull first in the singles lineup was, according to Nordqvist, a straightforward one.
"The statistics from yesterday made it clear – Charley and Lottie Woad were among the top four birdie makers for the week. Even though they hadn’t amassed many points yet, they were playing incredibly tough matches. People often underestimate how strong these players are and the quality of golf we’ve seen over the last three days." Hull, who had previously suffered a 6&5 loss in the Saturday foursomes – a margin that would have tied a Solheim Cup record for the most lopsided defeat – was under pressure to deliver.
Yet she rose to the occasion, defeating Megan Khang 3&2 and securing her first full point of the competition. Her victory contributed to Europe winning six of the first eight singles matches, a feat never achieved before in Solheim Cup history.
Reflecting on her performance, Hull admitted the week had been a test of patience. "I’ve given myself many chances, and it’s been frustrating at times. I didn’t make a lot of birdies today, but I stayed steady and hit a lot of greens despite the poor weather. I talked to Mel Reid, our vice‑captain, and she reminded me that I was one of the top three birdie makers this week, even though I was up against Yealimi Noh, who has been on fire lately." Hull’s composure paid off.
"Match play can be cruel, but I’m happy to have contributed a point. It may only be 1.5 points for me, but it’s better than nothing," she said. Lottie Woad also broke her personal drought, earning her first Solheim Cup win by beating Auston Kim. Her point pushed the European total to 14, sparking jubilant celebrations among the team.
Afterward, Carlota Ciganda sealed the victory with a win over Jennifer Kupcho, confirming Europe’s triumph. Woad expressed how vital the win was for her confidence. "I was feeling disappointed, thinking I was playing well but not translating that into points.
The captains reminded me I was third on the birdie leaderboard, so I just had to trust my game. In the end, I sank the winning putt," she explained. Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, starting Thursday. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will take 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.