Anna Nordqvist could not hide her admiration for the entire European roster after their dramatic victory in the Solheim Cup, and she made it clear that placing Charley Hull at the top of the Sunday singles lineup was an obvious choice. The European squad reclaimed the trophy on a wet, windswept day at Bernardus Golf, securing seven of the twelve points on offer and edging Team USA 15-13. After a tense finish the previous afternoon, when Jennifer Kupcho’s late birdies had briefly levelled the competition, Europe responded with composure and clinched their first outright win since 2021.
"This win feels amazing," Nordqvist told Sky Sports, her voice brimming with pride. "We have put in countless hours of hard work over the past two years, not just me but the whole support staff. The helpers have been phenomenal this week, allowing the players to focus solely on their game, and the atmosphere around the camp has been incredibly positive.
Everyone has been a true teammate." She went on to describe the atmosphere on the morning of the final day: "When we left the course yesterday we were buzzing with excitement for today. Walking onto the first tee, I was genuinely impressed by every player and caddie who was ready to compete. The early board showed a lot of blue, which meant we were starting strongly.
We talked a lot about getting quick starts because the course conditions were fast, and I’m extremely proud of the team for both a strong opening and a strong finish." The decision to send Charley Hull out first was, in Nordqvist’s view, straightforward. Hull and her partner Lottie Woad had topped the birdie statistics for the week, even though their point totals were modest. "It was a no‑brainer to put Charley first," Nordqvist explained.
"We looked at the numbers from yesterday and saw that Charley and Lottie were among the top four players for birdies. They hadn’t accumulated many points yet, but they had played very tough matches. People often underestimate how good these players are and how high the level of golf has been over the last three days." Hull’s performance lived up to the confidence placed in her. She never fell behind in her singles match against Megan Khang, securing a 3&2 victory and earning her first full point of the week.
This win contributed to Europe winning six of the first eight singles matches – a record for the team – and helped push them toward the overall triumph. After the match, Hull reflected on her experience: "I’ve given myself many chances, and it’s been frustrating at times.
I didn’t make a lot of long putts today, but I stayed steady and hit many greens. The weather was tough, but I kept my composure. I spoke with Mel Reid, our vice‑captain, and she reminded me that I was the third‑most birdie‑productive player this week, even though I was up against Yealimi Noh, who has been on fire lately." Hull added, "Match play can be cruel – you can play well and still lose points.
I’m happy to have secured a point for the team, even if it’s just one and a half of the total. Anything is better than nothing." Lottie Woad also broke her personal Solheim drought by defeating Auston Kim, moving the European total to 14 points and sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. She later faced Carlota Ciganda, who beat Jennifer Kupcho to seal the victory for Europe. Woad spoke candidly about her journey: "Winning was crucial for me.
I felt disappointed for a while, playing solid golf but not converting it into points. The captains reminded me that I was third on the birdie list, so I knew I was playing well.
Trusting that data helped me stay focused, and eventually I made the winning putt." The triumph has set the stage for the next phase of the Ladies European Tour, which heads to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort. Meanwhile, the LPGA will pause for a short break before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship in late September. Looking ahead, the Solheim Cup will return in 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, scheduled for September 8‑10. Beyond the immediate celebrations, Nordqvist highlighted the broader significance of the victory.
"This win isn’t just about the trophy; it’s about the collective effort of everyone involved – from the players to the caddies, coaches, and support staff. The rain, the wind, the pressure of a historic competition – we faced all of it together and emerged stronger. It shows the depth of talent in European women's golf and gives us momentum heading into the rest of the season." The European team’s success also underscores the importance of strategic captaincy decisions. By analyzing performance metrics such as birdie counts and match resilience, the captains were able to craft a lineup that maximized each player’s strengths.
This data‑driven approach, combined with the players’ mental fortitude, proved decisive in turning the tide after the United States had briefly equalised. In summary, Anna Nordqvist’s praise for her teammates, the strategic placement of Charley Hull at the top of the singles order, and the subsequent performances of Hull, Woad, and the rest of the squad all contributed to a memorable Solheim Cup victory. The win not only adds another chapter to Europe’s storied golf history but also sets a benchmark for future competitions, illustrating how preparation, confidence, and smart decision‑making can combine to produce championship‑level results.