Team Europe bounced back to capture the Solheim Cup, edging Team USA 15-13 after a dramatic singles showdown on a rain‑spattered Sunday at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. The competition entered the final day deadlocked at 8-8, meaning Europe needed at least 6.5 points from the twelve singles matches to clinch the trophy, two years after having fallen to the United States.
From the outset, Charley Hull set the tone for Europe. The English star opened the singles roster against Megan Khang, delivering a confident 3&2 victory that put the first point on the board for the Europeans.
Hull’s aggressive play and steady putting gave her team an early psychological edge, and she later confirmed the decision to start her by posting a full point in the decisive match. The early momentum continued as Anna Nordqvist’s side briefly led in eight of the twelve matches.
Linn Grant, who had already completed a flawless week in the team formats, added another point by defeating Angel Yin 4&3, cementing her perfect 4‑0‑0 record for the event. Grant’s win made her only the ninth player in Solheim Cup history to finish unbeaten in all four sessions. Meanwhile, Alison Lee sparked a brief rally for the United States, erasing a four‑hole deficit to beat Esther Henseleit 1 up, reminding everyone that the contest remained within reach for the Americans. World No.
1 Nelly Korda, who had been a focal point for the U.S. camp, levelled the overall tally with a decisive 4&3 triumph over rookie Mimi Rhodes. Korda’s performance was later described as the “performance of the week,” but Europe’s depth shone through as three additional rookies contributed vital points. Frenchwoman Nastasia Nadaud overcame Andrea Lee 3&2, Danish talent Nanna Koerstz Madsen defeated Allisen Corpuz, and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez capped an unbeaten debut by beating Yealimi Noh.
Lottie Woad, playing on home soil, turned the tide for the hosts when she beat Auston Kim after a dramatic recovery from three consecutive lost holes on the back nine. Her win pushed Europe to 14 points and sparked celebrations among the Dutch crowd. The final match featured veteran Carlota Ciganda, a two‑time Solheim Cup winner whose 2023 singles victory helped retain the Cup for Europe in Spain. Ciganda secured at least a half‑point early and then sealed the win by defeating Jennifer Kupcho, confirming the home victory and bringing the final tally to 15‑13.
The day’s drama was amplified by the weather. Saturday evening had seen Kupcho fire a series of late birdies that left U.S. captain Angela Stanford convinced her team had turned the tide. However, the rain‑soaked conditions on Sunday forced both sides to adapt, and Europe’s ability to stay composed under the drizzle proved decisive.
Hull reflected on her steady play, noting, "I’ve been giving myself so many chances, so that’s been quite frustrating. I didn’t hole many putts today, but I stayed consistent and hit a lot of greens." Grant’s flawless record placed her alongside the legends of the competition, while Lee matched the Swede’s 4‑0‑0 achievement by clawing back from four down with seven holes to spare, ultimately stunning Henseleit. Lee praised her resilience: "I just did my best to stay consistent.
The front nine was tough with the rain, but the weather turned around and so did my game." The European side also benefited from the contributions of their newer players. Madsen’s win over Corpuz and Lopez Ramirez’s unbeaten debut added depth to the roster, while Ciganda’s early lead against Kupcho gave Europe the cushion they needed in the final moments. After the match, Ciganda expressed her joy, saying, "I’m so happy. We had a great team all week, probably one of the best squads we’ve fielded in recent years." Team USA’s rookie Lindy Duncan broke Maja Stark’s perfect record, and Lauren Coughlin handed Leona Maguire her first Solheim singles defeat, narrowing the margin but not enough to overturn Europe’s lead.
In the bottom match, Rose Zhang defeated Celine Boutier 2 up, leaving the Frenchwoman without a point for the week. European captain Anna Nordqvist lauded the collective effort: "There’s been so much hard work this week and over the past two years. The support staff have been amazing, making it easy for the players to focus on their golf.
We had a great vibe all week, and everyone was a fantastic teammate. I’m really proud of the players for starting strong and finishing even stronger." U.S.
captain Angela Stanford acknowledged the quality of the European performance: "We did a lot of things right leading up to this, and the players fought hard. The Europeans played great today.
Their backs were against the wall, they had nothing to lose, and they executed perfectly. Good for them." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, beginning Thursday. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will pause for a week before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship scheduled for September 25‑27. The next Solheim Cup is slated for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, set for September 8‑10.
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