Team Europe secured the Solheim Cup once more, turning a dramatic singles day in the Netherlands into a 15‑13 triumph over Team USA. Heading into the final round at Bernardus Golf, the competition was dead‑locked at 8‑8, meaning Europe needed just 6.5 points from the remaining matches to clinch the title. Two years after a defeat to the Americans, Charley Hull set the tone early, defeating Megan Khang 3&2 and giving Europe an immediate edge.
The momentum swung back and forth throughout the day. Anna Nordqvist’s squad briefly held a lead in eight of the twelve singles contests, and the advantage grew when Linn Grant dispatched Angel Yin, completing a flawless week for the Swede.
However, Alison Lee sparked hope for the United States by mounting a remarkable comeback from four down to edge Esther Henseleit 1 up. World No. 1 Nelly Korda answered with a solid 4&3 victory over rookie Mimi Rhodes, leveling the overall score. Subsequent wins by France’s Nastasia Nadaud, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez nudged Europe ever closer to the decisive total.
Lottie Woad’s win over Auston Kim pushed the hosts to 14 points, prompting jubilant celebrations among the European contingent. Veteran Carlota Ciganda, who had already secured at least half a point, then defeated Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the victory on home soil.
Earlier on Saturday, Kupcho’s late‑round birdies had convinced USA captain Angela Stanford that the tide was turning in America’s favor. Yet Europe reclaimed control on the final day. Hull, who had previously thrashed Korda 6&4 in the 2022 singles, was again entrusted with the opening match. After sharing a half‑point with Woad in the first four sessions, Hull delivered a full point, validating Nordqvist’s decision to place her at the forefront.
Hull opened the round with a par on the first hole and never relinquished the lead against Khang. She matched the American’s birdie on the eighth and then dominated the back‑nine, winning both par‑fives to clinch the match. Reflecting on her performance, Hull said, "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." Grant’s 4&3 win over Yin made her only the ninth player in Solheim Cup history to finish a campaign with a perfect 4‑0‑0 record. Lee mirrored that achievement for the United States by rallying from four down with seven holes to spare, stunning Henseleit in the second match. Lee commented, "I focused on staying consistent.
The front nine was tough with rain, and I couldn’t create birdie opportunities, but the weather cleared and my game improved." Korda’s performance against Rhodes was highlighted as the week’s best, yet Europe’s three other rookies also contributed points. Nadaud defeated Andrea Lee 3&2 for her third win of a debut, while Lopez Ramirez capped an unbeaten first appearance by beating Yealimi Noh. Madsen had previously beaten Allisen Corpuz, and Woad recovered from three consecutive lost holes on the back nine to defeat Kim, keeping Europe on the brink of victory.
Ciganda quickly built a lead against Kupcho and secured the decisive point. Ciganda expressed her joy, stating, "I’m so happy.
We had a fantastic team all week, probably one of the strongest we’ve fielded in recent years." USA rookie Lindy Duncan ended Maja Stark’s perfect record, and Lauren Coughlin handed Leona Maguire her first Solheim singles loss, narrowing the margin. Rose Zhang defeated Celine Boutier 2‑up in the bottom match, leaving the Frenchwoman without a point for the week. Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist praised the collective effort: "There’s been a tremendous amount of hard work this week and over the past two years from everyone, not just me but the whole support staff. The helpers have been amazing, making it easy for the players to focus on their golf.
We felt a great vibe all week; everyone was a supportive teammate. We talked a lot about fast starts given the course conditions, and I’m incredibly proud of the players for starting strong and finishing even stronger." USA captain Angela Stanford acknowledged Europe’s resilience: "We did many things right leading up to this, and the players fought hard.
The Europeans played great today, and that’s how it goes. Their backs were against the wall, they had nothing to lose, and they played exactly that way.
Good for them." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will move to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, beginning Thursday. The LPGA Tour will pause for a week 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.