Anna Nordqvist, the newly crowned Solheim Cup captain who guided Team Europe to a thrilling 15-13 victory over the United States on home soil, has hinted that she might return to the captaincy in the future, though she emphasized she needs a break after a hectic season. The Swede’s leadership at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands saw Europe dominate seven of the twelve singles matches, reclaiming the trophy in front of an enthusiastic Dutch crowd.
The win capped a whirlwind few months for Nordqvist. Earlier in the year she announced her retirement from competitive play, a decision that came just weeks before the Solheim Cup.
Balancing the responsibilities of captaincy with the demands of the LPGA Tour proved far more taxing than she had anticipated, prompting her to step away from playing to focus on her new role. In her post‑match press conference, when asked about the possibility of returning as captain for the 2028 edition, she replied with a wry smile, "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 admitted that the week was emotionally challenging, especially when she couldn’t step onto the tee herself.
"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. The experience of watching her teammates compete, feeling the tension of each putt and the roar of the crowd, gave her a fresh perspective on the sport.
"Sometimes it’s even more nerve‑wracking watching these girls, but then you see how good they are and you just become really impressed," she reflected. Looking ahead, Nordqvist hopes to stay connected to golf in some capacity, but she also wants to enjoy a brief period of rest. "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 distinguished line of European captains.
Suzann Pettersen led Europe to a retained trophy after 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, achieving a dramatic 14.5‑13.5 home victory at Gleneagles in 2019 and an away triumph in Ohio two years later. Matthew praised Nordqvist’s achievement and suggested Europe might give her the option to continue. "Europe may give Anna the choice to carry on," she told Sky Sports. "An away match is so different; it requires a different type of captaincy.
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. The 2028 Solheim Cup will be hotly contested. Europe have some rookies now who will be the backbone of the team for years to come." Nordqvist’s performance was also lauded by her American counterpart, Angela Stanford, who said the Swede "seemed to handle everything very well" and called her "a great captain." Her players echoed that sentiment.
Charley Hull, who opened the Sunday singles for Europe, described the week as "really, really enjoyable" and praised Nordqvist’s leadership style. Vice‑captains Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid and Anne van Dam, along with veteran Laura Davies, formed a supportive team environment that many believe contributed to the victory.
Former LET star Sophie Walker offered insight into what makes a good captain, noting that a captain should be someone who can travel with the players and understand their needs. "I got the impression that, before this Solheim Cup started, it was one and done for Nordqvist. But when you win, you just never know, do you?
There were 12 players, 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 is scheduled for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, set for September 8‑10.
While the official announcement of the 2028 European captain will likely come next year, the conversation surrounding Nordqvist’s potential return is already heating up. Fans and pundits alike are weighing the benefits of continuity versus fresh leadership, especially as Europe’s roster evolves with emerging talent. In the broader context of women’s golf, Nordqvist’s transition from player to captain underscores a growing trend of former tour professionals taking on strategic and mentorship roles. Her experience on the LPGA Tour, combined with her recent success in a high‑pressure team environment, positions her as a valuable asset for future European campaigns.
Whether she chooses to step back into the captain’s chair in 2028 or pursues other avenues within the sport, her impact on this year’s Solheim Cup will be remembered as a pivotal moment in her career and in European women’s golf. As the sport continues to evolve, the balance between veteran leadership and the infusion of new talent will shape the next generation of European teams.
For now, Nordqvist enjoys a well‑earned pause, reflecting on a historic victory and contemplating the next chapter of her involvement in golf.