Anna Nordqvist could not hide her delight after Team Europe’s dramatic Solheim Cup win, praising every competitor on the field and confirming that putting Charley Hull out first in the Sunday singles was an obvious decision. The European side reclaimed the trophy on a soggy final day at Bernardus Golf, securing seven of the twelve points on offer to edge Team USA 15‑13. The momentum shift came after a thrilling finish on Saturday, when Jennifer Kupcho’s late‑round birdies leveled the biennial contest.
Europe responded with a surge that delivered their first outright victory since 2021. Nordqvist, speaking to Sky Sports, described the feeling of triumph as “so good,” emphasizing the countless hours of preparation that had gone into the campaign, not only from the players but also from the behind‑the‑scenes staff. “The support crew has been phenomenal this week, making it easy for us to focus on our game,” she said. “The atmosphere around the camp was fantastic, and everyone has been a true teammate.” She added that walking onto the first tee on Sunday, she was struck by the professionalism of every player and caddie: “I was impressed by every single competitor who showed up ready to play.” Nordqvist noted that the early part of the match seemed to favor Europe, with a strong start that set the tone for the rest of the day.
“We talked a lot about the fast starts this week given the course conditions, and I’m incredibly proud of the team for both opening and closing the day so strongly.” Hull’s performance in the singles was a key highlight. Two years earlier she had thrashed Andrea Korda 6&4, and despite only contributing half a point in the first four sessions alongside Lottie Woad, the captain’s confidence in her was rewarded when Hull secured a full point with a 3&2 win over Megan Khang.
Nordqvist explained the reasoning behind the lineup: “It was a no‑brainer to put Charley first. The stats from Saturday showed Charley and Lottie were among the top four birdie‑makers of the week.” Even though Hull’s overall point tally was modest, Nordqvist stressed that the quality of the matches was high. “People don’t always appreciate how good these players are and how tight the competition has been over the last three days.” The English pair were at risk of becoming the first Solheim participants to play five sessions without a win, after suffering a record‑tying 6&5 loss in the Saturday foursomes.
Hull reflected on her own experience, admitting frustration at missed opportunities but also satisfaction with her steady play. “I didn’t make a lot of birdies today, but I kept hitting greens and stayed composed despite the bad weather,” she said. She recalled a conversation with vice‑captain Mel Reid, who reminded her that she was the third‑most prolific birdie‑maker that week, even after facing a strong opponent in Yealimi Noh. “Match play can be cruel, but I’m happy to have earned a point – even if it’s only one and a half of the total – because any contribution is better than none.” Woad, meanwhile, celebrated her first Solheim victory by defeating Auston Kim, pushing the European total to 14 points and igniting jubilant celebrations among the home crowd.
She later added a point of her own by beating Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the win for Europe. “That win meant a lot to me,” Woad explained. “I’d been feeling disappointed, playing well but not seeing the results. The captains reminded me I was third on birdies, so I trusted my game and eventually sank the winning putt.” The triumph sets the stage for the Ladies European Tour’s next stop in Spain, where the La Sella Open begins Thursday at La Sella Golf Resort.
The LPGA Tour will pause for a week before resuming with the Walmart N Arkansas Championship from September 25‑27. Looking ahead, the Solheim Cup returns in 2028, scheduled for September 8‑10 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action on NOW without a contract. The victory not only restores European pride but also showcases the depth of talent and the strategic acumen of its captain, promising more exciting chapters in the competition’s storied history.