Anna Nordqvist could not hide her admiration for the entire European contingent after Team Europe clinched the Solheim Cup, describing the victory as a "no‑brainer" when it came to sending Charley Hull out first in the Sunday singles. The tournament concluded at the rain‑soaked Bernardus Golf, where Europe secured seven of the twelve points on offer, edging the United States 15‑13 for their first outright win since 2021. The comeback was especially sweet after the previous day’s dramatic finish, when Jennifer Kupcho’s late birdies had levelled the biennial contest.
Europe responded with composure, turning the tide and delivering a performance that many will remember for years to come. "This win feels amazing!" Nordqvist told Sky Sports, her voice brimming with pride. "We’ve put in a massive amount of work over the past week and the last two years – not just me, but the whole support crew behind the scenes. The staff have been phenomenal, making everything run smoothly so the players could focus on their game.
The atmosphere around the course has been fantastic; everyone has been a great teammate." She continued, "Walking off the course yesterday, we were buzzing for today’s matches. I was genuinely impressed by every player and caddie who stepped up to the first tee, ready to give their all." Nordqvist praised the early momentum the Europeans built, noting how the team’s strong starts set the tone for the remainder of the competition.
"We talked a lot about fast starts this week because of the way the course was playing, and I’m incredibly proud of the players for both starting and finishing strongly." In the singles, Charley Hull was paired against Megan Khang and produced a decisive 3&2 win, delivering her first full point of the week. Hull’s performance validated Nordqvist’s earlier decision to place her at the top of the order, despite Hull having contributed only half a point in the first four sessions alongside Lottie Woad.
"It was a no‑brainer to put Charley first," Nordqvist explained. "The stats from yesterday showed Charley and Lottie were among the top‑four birdie makers for the week. Even though they hadn’t accumulated many points, they were playing incredibly tough matches.
People often underestimate how good these players are and how high the quality of golf has been over the last three days." Both Hull and Woad had been in danger of becoming the first Solheim participants to play five sessions without a win, especially after a record‑tying 6&5 loss in the Saturday foursomes. Hull’s victory, however, broke that streak and contributed to Europe’s historic run of six wins in the first eight singles matches – a first in Solheim Cup history. After her win, Hull reflected on the challenges she faced.
"I gave myself a lot of chances, which was frustrating at times. I didn’t finish many holes today, but I stayed steady and hit a lot of greens despite the poor weather. I spoke with 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’s been on fire lately." Hull added, "Match play can be cruel; you can play well and still not convert enough putts. I’m just happy to have secured a point for the team, even if it’s only one and a half points overall.
Anything is better than nothing." Lottie Woad also claimed her first Solheim Cup point by defeating Auston Kim, pushing the European total to 14 and sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. She later expressed relief and gratitude.
"Winning was crucial for me. I was disappointed, feeling like I was playing solid golf but not getting the points, and I thought I was letting the team down. The captains reminded me that I was third on birdies, so I knew I was playing well.
Golf is like that sometimes – you just have to trust the process, and eventually the winning putt falls." The tournament’s conclusion set the stage for upcoming events on both tours. The Ladies European Tour will head to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, beginning Thursday, while the LPGA Tour takes a brief hiatus before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for September 25‑27. Looking ahead, the next Solheim Cup is slated for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, running from September 8‑10. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract via NOW.