Anna Nordqvist could not hide her delight after Team Europe clinched the Solheim Cup, praising the effort of every participant and confirming that placing Charley Hull at the top of the Sunday singles lineup was an obvious choice. The European side reclaimed the trophy on a damp final day at Bernardus Golf, securing seven of the twelve points on offer to edge Team USA 15‑13 and deliver Europe’s first outright victory since 2021.
The momentum shift began the night before, when Jennifer Kupcho’s dramatic late‑round birdies forced a tie and set the stage for a decisive showdown. Europe responded with composure, turning the tide and ultimately sealing the win.
Nordqvist, speaking to Sky Sports, described the feeling of triumph as "so good," noting that the entire camp – from the players to the behind‑the‑scenes staff – had worked tirelessly over the past two years to reach this moment. "The support staff have been incredible this week, allowing us to focus solely on our golf," she said.
"The atmosphere around the course was electric all week, and every teammate stepped up. When we left the course on Saturday, we were buzzing for Sunday, and I was genuinely impressed by every player and caddie who walked out on the first tee, ready to compete." Nordqvist highlighted the early dominance displayed by Europe, attributing it to the fast starts that many teams had emphasized during the week.
"We saw a lot of early points on the board," she added. "I’m extremely proud of the squad for not only starting strong but also finishing with the same intensity." The decision to send Charley Hull out first in the singles was described by Nordqvist as a "no‑brainer".
She explained that statistical analysis from the previous day showed Hull and Lottie Woad ranking among the top four players for birdies throughout the competition. Although Hull had only contributed half a point in the first four sessions, her aggressive play and resilience in tough matches convinced the captain that she deserved the opening slot. "People sometimes overlook how solid these players are and how consistent the golf has been over the last three days," Nordqvist remarked.
"Hull and Woad may not have amassed many points yet, but they’ve been battling in the toughest matches, and that experience is invaluable in a pressure‑filled singles session." Hull’s performance validated the captain’s faith. She never fell behind in her 3&2 victory over Megan Khang, delivering her first full point of the week and helping Europe win six of the first eight singles matches – a historic first for the team.
After the match, Hull reflected on her journey, acknowledging the frustration of limited opportunities earlier in the event but emphasizing her steady play and green‑in‑regulation hits despite challenging weather conditions. "I’ve had a lot of chances this week and it’s been frustrating at times," Hull said. "I didn’t make many putts today, but I stayed steady and kept hitting greens.
The weather was tough, but I stuck to my game plan." She also recalled a conversation with vice‑captain Mel Reid, who reminded her of her birdie tally, noting that Hull was tied for third in birdies for the week. "I was up against Yealimi Noh, who’s been on fire lately," Hull added. "We were playing well, just not converting enough putts – that’s match play for you.
I’m happy to have earned a point; it’s better than none." Lottie Woad also secured her first Solheim Cup point, defeating Auston Kim and pushing the European total to 14, which sparked jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. She later partnered with Carlota Ciganda to defeat Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the overall victory.
Woad spoke candidly about the pressure she felt before her match. "I was disappointed, thinking I was playing good golf but not getting the points, and I felt like I was letting the team down," she admitted.
"The captains reminded me that I was third on birdies, so I trusted my game. In the end, I made the winning putt – that’s the beauty of golf." The Solheim Cup’s success sets the stage for upcoming events on both tours.
The Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, while the LPGA Tour will pause 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, where teams will once again vie for the coveted trophy from September 8‑10.
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