Anna Nordqvist, the freshly crowned Solheim Cup captain who steered Europe to a dramatic 15‑13 triumph over the United States on home soil, has hinted that she might return to the helm in future editions of the competition. After a thrilling finale at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, where Europe clinched seven of the twelve singles matches to reclaim the trophy, the Swedish star reflected on the intense experience of balancing captaincy duties with a full‑time playing schedule on the LPGA Tour.
She admitted that the dual role proved "a lot more" demanding than she had originally anticipated. The victory came just weeks after Nordqvist announced her retirement from competitive play. The decision to step away from the tour was made mid‑season, giving her a brief hiatus to consider her next steps within the sport. When reporters asked whether she would entertain the idea of captaining Europe again in 2028, Nordqvist responded with a tongue‑in‑cheek remark at the post‑match press conference: "No, I'm retiring tomorrow!" She quickly added, "You're never going to say never, but I just need a little bit of time off.
I don't know what my future holds. Obviously I just retired from playing two weeks ago." Nordqvist described the emotional challenge of not being able to hit a shot during the competition week, yet she also expressed how rewarding it was to discover alternative ways to stay involved in golf.
"It was hard at times this week to not hit a shot, but it's really nice and rewarding to see that there are so many other ways in golf you can stay involved and get the same feeling," she said. She praised the skill and composure of the European players, noting that watching them perform under pressure was sometimes more nerve‑wracking than playing herself, but ultimately left her deeply impressed. Looking ahead, Nordqvist said she hopes to remain connected to the game in some capacity, but she also wants to enjoy a short period of rest after a grueling schedule. "Hopefully I can stay involved in golf in one way or another, but I'm going to enjoy a little bit of time off in the next couple weeks and hopefully catch up a little bit of rest – there hasn't been much lately," she explained.
Nordqvist joins a short list of European captains who have tasted Solheim Cup success. Suzann Pettersen led Europe to a retained trophy with a 14‑14 tie in 2023 before a narrow loss in 2024, while Catriona Matthew remains the only European captain to win back‑to‑back Solheim Cups, guiding the team to a dramatic 14.5‑13.5 victory at Gleneagles in 2019 and an away win in Ohio two years later. Matthew praised Nordqvist's achievement and suggested that Europe might give her the option to continue.
"Europe may give Anna [Nordqvist] the choice to carry on," Matthew told Sky Sports. "An away match is so different, it requires a different type of captaincy." Matthew also cautioned against lingering too long in the role, emphasizing the importance of allowing new leaders to emerge.
"You don't want to hog it too long, as others are waiting. I think you need to let them cherish this one before you look too far ahead," she said.
She added that the 2028 Solheim Cup, scheduled for Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, will be fiercely contested, and that the current crop of European rookies could form the backbone of the team for years to come. Nordqvist's performance as captain earned praise from her American counterpart, Angela Stanford, who remarked that the Swede "seemed to handle everything very well" and called her "a great captain." Her own players echoed that sentiment. Charley Hull, who led Europe in the Sunday singles, described the week as "really, really enjoyable" and lauded Nordqvist as an "awesome captain." Vice‑captains Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid and Anne van Dam, along with veteran Dame Laura Davies, also contributed to a supportive team environment. Former Ladies European Tour player Sophie Walker offered insight into what makes a successful captain, noting that players appreciate having a leader who can move around the tour and stay connected with the team.
"A captain is somebody that you'd like to be on tour around players," she told Sky Sports News. Walker recalled that before the Solheim Cup began, many assumed Nordqvist's captaincy would be a one‑off appointment. "But when you win, you just never know, do you?
There were 12 players in there, three vice‑captains and all those helpers that would love Nordqvist to be captain again. I think she's been really successful not only because she's won the cup, but successful in the team room as well." The next Solheim Cup will take place from September 8‑10, 2028, at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, marking the first time the event will be held on American soil since 2024. While the official announcement of the 2028 European captain is unlikely until next year, the conversation surrounding Nordqvist's potential return has already ignited speculation among fans and pundits alike. Whether she chooses to step back into the role or passes the baton to a new leader, Nordqvist's impact on European women's golf—both as a player and as a captain—has already cemented her legacy.