Team Europe and Team USA entered the Sunday singles of the Solheim Cup dead‑locked at 8‑8, a situation created by a series of strong performances from Maja Stark and Linn Grant and a repeat of difficulties for Charley Hull and Lottie Woad. The competition, which has been a seesaw battle over the past two days, now hinges on the final 12 singles matches, each of which will decide whether the United States can retain the trophy or Europe can finally claim an outright victory on foreign soil. On Friday, Anna Nordqvist’s European side managed to split the morning foursomes 2‑2, but they quickly turned the tide in the afternoon foursomes by winning three of the four points on offer.
That gave Europe a slim edge heading into the evening four‑ball session. The United States, however, responded with a narrow win in the four‑ball, setting up a dramatic final day that promises plenty of tension and excitement. Stark and Grant continued their flawless partnership by beating the previously unbeaten American duo of Megan Khang and Lauren Coughlin 2&1.
It marked their third consecutive win in as many sessions, underscoring the chemistry they have built since the start of the tournament. Meanwhile, Hull and Woad suffered a heartbreaking loss on the final hole to Yealimi Noh and Andrea Lee, a defeat that highlighted the pressure the young Europeans have been under. Hull and Woad made history by becoming the first pair to compete in all four sessions of a Solheim Cup together, yet they have contributed only half a point to Europe’s total.
Their struggle continued when Rose Zhang and Auston Kim, playing for the United States, defeated Leona Maguire and Nastasia Nadaud 3&2, further widening the gap. The drama peaked on Friday evening when Carlota Ciganda secured a half‑point with a clutch putt in the last four‑ball match. She was then taken to the 18th hole again in the bottom match, where Jennifer Kupcho produced a spectacular 90‑foot birdie on the par‑four 17th to pull her team level with Lindy Duncan. Kupcho’s heroics didn’t stop there; she holed a 20‑plus‑foot putt on the 17th to win the match 1‑up, sparking jubilant celebrations on the green and giving the United States a crucial point.
The United States now needs six points out of the twelve singles matches to retain the Cup, a target that seems attainable after the momentum shift created by Kupcho’s late heroics. Europe, on the other hand, requires 6.5 points for an outright win – the first since their 2021 triumph – and will be looking to build on the confidence generated by Stark and Grant’s flawless play.
The Swedish duo of Stark and Grant were again the first pair out on the final day, having already broken Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz’s perfect foursomes record earlier. Stark opened with a spectacular hole‑out from the first fairway, securing her second eagle of the day and setting an aggressive tone. Lauren Coughlin answered with a string of birdies from the third hole onward, briefly putting Europe behind before the two sides traded holes.
Grant then seized the 11th and 12th holes with birdies, pulling Europe back into contention. Stark continued her surge by sinking a 20‑foot putt on the 13th, extending Europe’s lead to two points. Coughlin answered on the 16th with a long‑range birdie, completing Europe’s third win of the week and delivering a rare loss for the United States.
The defeat marked Khang’s first loss in ten Solheim Cup appearances, ending a six‑match winning streak that was just one win shy of the tournament record. It also represented the first ever loss for a United States team in this competition. "We really turned it on during the back nine," Grant reflected after the match.
"We got our things together and started playing the way we wanted to. It was a great game – they were right on our heels the whole time." Hull and Woad’s partnership, while historic for its longevity, has yet to produce a point.
In their most recent match, they fell behind after Noh’s aggressive play, which featured an eagle and four birdies on the front nine, giving her a two‑stroke lead at the turn. Europe managed to win the opening hole of the back nine, but a birdie by Lee on the 13th swung the momentum back to the United States.
Hull and Woad responded with a birdie on the 15th and another on the 17th, but the Americans clinched the final point with a par on the 18th. Meanwhile, Nastasia Nadaud, paired with Mimi Rhodes, had enjoyed success in earlier sessions but struggled in the third match when she teamed with Leona Maguire.
Maguire produced an eagle on the eighth hole and followed it with a birdie, but the United States answered with a three‑hole surge that ultimately secured the win. In the closing stages of the day, Ciganda once again showed her fighting spirit, winning two consecutive holes from the 13th before Lindy Duncan reclaimed the next. Kupcho then delivered an unforgettable birdie on the 17th, and a final birdie on the 18th completed a dramatic comeback that gave the United States a 3‑1 victory in the four‑ball session.
This result left the overall score tied after two days – the third consecutive Solheim Cup on European soil to finish level heading into the singles. Team USA captain Angela Stanford praised Kupcho’s resilience, stating, "That was huge.
It completely turned the tide. She never gives up; she’s a true fighter. Seeing that determination up close inspires the whole team." The singles will begin at 11:10 a.m.
local time (10:10 BST) on Sunday, with heavy rain forecast for much of the day, adding another layer of difficulty to the already challenging match‑play format. Historically, the last three Solheim Cups that were tied after two days have all resulted in European victories on home turf, so the United States will be eager to defy that trend. Fans can watch the final day live on Sky Sports Golf starting at 9 a.m., with the opening singles match kicking off at 10:10 a.m. Those interested in following the action can also stream the coverage on NOW without a contract, or explore the latest Sky Sports deals.
For golfers looking to practice their own game, the article concludes with a reminder that there are 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland where they can book a round, reinforcing the connection between the elite competition and everyday players.