Anna Nordqvist could not hide her delight after Team Europe’s dramatic win in the Solheim Cup, saying she was impressed by "every single player" on the roster and that selecting Charley Hull to open the Sunday singles was an obvious choice. The Swede’s comments came in the aftermath of a thrilling final day at Bernardus Golf, where rain‑soaked conditions did little to dampen the excitement as Europe clinched seven of the twelve available points, edging out the United States 15‑13 for the trophy. The victory marked Europe’s first outright Solheim Cup win since 2021 and was built on a remarkable comeback after the previous day's drama.
In the Saturday singles, American star Jennifer Kupcho produced a clutch run of late birdies that briefly levelled the contest, but the Europeans responded with a surge of confidence that ultimately turned the tide in their favor. "This win feels incredible," Nordqvist told Sky Sports, her voice brimming with pride. "We’ve put in an enormous amount of work over the past week and the last two years, not just me but the entire support team behind us. The staff have been phenomenal, making it easy for the players to focus on their game, and the atmosphere around the camp was always positive.
Everyone has been a great teammate." She went on to describe the mood as the team left the course after the Saturday matches: "We were buzzing with excitement for Sunday. When I saw every player and caddie step up to the first tee, ready to give their all, I was truly impressed. It was a sea of blue early on the leaderboard, and we had talked a lot about getting quick starts given the course conditions. I’m incredibly proud of the way the squad started strong and finished even stronger." Hull’s performance on Sunday validated Nordqvist’s confidence.
The Englishwoman was paired against Megan Khang and secured a 3&2 victory, delivering her first full point of the week. Her win contributed to Europe taking six of the first eight singles matches – a historic first for the side – and helped cement the overall triumph. When asked about the decision to send Hull out first, Nordqvist explained, "It was a no‑brainer. The statistics from Saturday showed Charley and Lottie Woad were among the top four players in terms of birdies for the week.
Even though they hadn’t accumulated many points yet, they had played the toughest matches and proved their quality. Many people don’t appreciate how strong these players are or how high the level of golf has been over the last three days." Both Hull and Woad faced the pressure of potentially becoming the first Solheim Cup participants to appear in five sessions without a win, after suffering a record‑tying 6&5 loss in the Saturday foursomes. Hull, however, never fell behind in her match against Khang, and her steady play – hitting a high percentage of greens despite the inclement weather – earned her a vital point.
"I gave myself a lot of chances and it was frustrating at times," Hull admitted after her match. "I didn’t finish a lot of putts today, but I kept my composure, hit many greens and stayed steady even when the weather turned sour.
I spoke with Mel Reid, our vice‑captain, and she reminded me that I was the third‑most birdie‑rich player this week, even though I was up against Yealimi Noh, who has been on fire lately." Hull reflected on the nature of match play, saying, "Sometimes you play well but don’t convert enough putts. I’m happy to have earned a point – even if it’s just one and a half of the total – because it’s better than none." Lottie Woad also broke her personal drought, securing her first Solheim Cup point by defeating Auston Kim. Her win pushed the European total to 14 points and sparked jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. Shortly after, Carlota Ciganda beat Jennifer Kupcho, sealing the victory for Europe.
Woad described the emotional roller‑coaster of the competition: "I was disappointed for a while, feeling like I was playing solid golf but not translating that into points. The captains reminded me that I was third on the birdie list, so I just had to trust my game. In the end, I sank the winning putt – that’s the beauty of golf, it can turn on a dime." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open, which begins Thursday at the La Sella Golf Resort.
Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will take a brief hiatus before resuming with the Walmart N Arkansas Championship from September 25‑27. The next Solheim Cup is slated for 2028 and will be contested at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10. Fans can stay up to date with the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract on the NOW platform.
Overall, Nordqvist’s praise for her teammates, the strategic confidence in Hull’s opening role, and the collective resilience displayed throughout the weekend underscore why Europe’s 2026 Solheim Cup victory will be remembered as a testament to teamwork, preparation, and the ability to seize momentum when it matters most. The triumph not only adds another chapter to Europe’s growing legacy in the competition but also sets a high bar for the upcoming 2028 edition, where the pressure will shift to defending the title on American soil.