Anna Nordqvist could not hide her delight after Team Europe’s dramatic win at the Solheim Cup, praising every competitor on display and explaining why she felt it was obvious to start Charley Hull in the Sunday singles. The European side reclaimed the trophy with a 15‑13 victory over the United States, capturing seven of the twelve points available on the final day at the rain‑soaked Bernardus Golf Course.
The comeback was especially sweet after the previous evening’s nail‑biting finish, when Jennifer Kupcho’s late‑round birdies had levelled the match and threatened to swing momentum back to the Americans. Europe, however, rallied and secured their first outright Solheim Cup win since 2021, a result that Nordqvist described as "a no‑brainer" when it came to selecting Hull as the opening player. "This win feels amazing," Nordqvist told Sky Sports.
"We've put in an enormous amount of work over the past week and the last two years, not just me but the entire support crew. The staff have been phenomenal, making everything run smoothly so the players could focus on their game. The atmosphere in the camp has been fantastic – everyone has been a true teammate." She went on to note how impressed she was with the professionalism of everyone who stepped onto the first tee: "Leaving the course yesterday, we were buzzing for today, and I was genuinely impressed with every player and caddie who showed up ready to compete." Nordqvist highlighted the strong starts that Europe enjoyed throughout the competition: "We saw a lot of early points on the board.
We talked a lot about the fast starts this week, given the course conditions, and I’m incredibly proud of the players for both starting and finishing strong." When asked about the decision to send Hull out first, Nordqvist said, "It was a no‑brainer. The statistics from yesterday showed Charley and Lottie Woad were among the top‑four players with the most birdies for the week. Even though they hadn’t amassed many points yet, they were playing very tough matches. People often underestimate how good these players are and how high the level of golf has been over the past three days." Hull’s performance validated Nordqvist’s choice.
In the singles, Hull defeated Megan Khang 3 & 2, delivering a full point for Europe and becoming the first player in Solheim Cup history to win a match after having contributed only half a point in the earlier sessions. Her victory helped Europe win six of the first eight singles matches – a record for the team – and move decisively toward the overall win. After her match, Hull reflected on the pressure and her steady play: "I’ve given myself many chances this week, which has been frustrating at times.
I didn’t make many birdies today, but I was consistent, hitting a lot of greens despite the bad weather. I talked to Mel Reid, our vice‑captain, and she reminded me that I’m one of the top three birdie makers this week.
My opponent, Yealimi Noh, has been on fire, so I knew I had to stay focused." Hull added, "Match play can be unforgiving. I’m happy to have earned a point – even if it’s just one and a half – because it’s better than none." Lottie Woad also secured her first Solheim Cup point by beating Auston Kim, pushing the European total to 14 and sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. After her win, Woad said, "Winning was crucial for me. I’d been feeling disappointed, playing well but not seeing the points come.
The captains reminded me that I was third in birdies, so I just had to trust my game. In the end, I sank the winning putt." The event concluded with Carlota Ciganda defeating Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the victory for Europe.
The success sets the stage for the next Solheim Cup in 2028, which will be hosted at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10. Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, beginning Thursday, while the LPGA Tour will take a brief hiatus before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for September 25‑27. Fans can stay tuned for the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract on NOW, ensuring they don’t miss any of the excitement as women’s golf continues to grow in popularity worldwide.