Team Europe bounced back to capture the Solheim Cup, edging Team USA 15-13 after a dramatic singles day on Dutch soil. The showdown at Bernardus Golf unfolded under overcast skies, with both sides entering the final round dead‑locked at 8-8. Europe needed just 6.5 points from the singles to seal the trophy, a goal they achieved thanks to a series of clutch performances and a few remarkable comebacks. The singles session began with England's Charley Hull opening the scoreboard by defeating Megan Khang 3&2.
Hull, who had contributed half a point earlier in the competition, set the tone with a steady, green‑in‑regulation game that left her opponent chasing. Her early win gave Europe the first lead and injected confidence into the team. Swedish veteran Anna Nordqvist, serving as Europe’s captain, watched her side briefly take the advantage in eight of the twelve matches.
The momentum grew when Norway’s rising star Linn Grant secured a decisive 4&3 victory over China’s Angel Yin, completing a flawless week for Grant and adding a crucial point to the tally. Grant’s performance placed her among an elite group of players who have finished a Solheim Cup with a perfect 4‑0‑0 record.
The United States, however, refused to surrender easily. Alison Lee produced one of the most memorable comebacks in recent Solheim Cup history, erasing a four‑hole deficit to win 1 up against Germany’s Esther Henseleit.
Lee’s resilience kept the Americans within striking distance and underscored the unpredictable nature of match play. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, representing the USA, leveled the competition when she beat rookie Mimi Rhodes 4&3. Korda’s win was a highlight for the Americans, but Europe continued to pile on points through strong showings by France’s Nastasia Nadaud, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen, and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez.
Each of these players added a point, pushing Europe closer to the 15‑point threshold required for victory. In the penultimate match, England’s Lottie Woad defeated South Korea’s Auston Kim, bringing the host nation’s total to 14 points and sparking celebrations among the European contingent. The atmosphere was electric as the crowd sensed the impending triumph. Veteran Spanish golfer Carlota Ciganda, who had already secured at least a half‑point, then faced USA’s Jennifer Kupcho.
Ciganda, a former Solheim Cup champion who helped Europe retain the cup in 2023, delivered a composed performance and won the decisive point, sealing the home victory for Europe. The final day’s drama was amplified by earlier moments on Saturday, when Kupcho’s late birdies had given Team USA captain Angela Stanford the impression that momentum was shifting in their favor.
Yet Europe responded emphatically, with Hull once again proving her mettle by beating Korda 6&4, a result that highlighted Hull’s consistency and her ability to thrive under pressure. Hull’s victory was built on a flawless opening hole where she made par, followed by a series of accurate drives and precise iron play that kept her on the front foot throughout the match. She matched Korda’s birdie on the eighth hole and then dominated the back‑nine by winning both par‑fives, ultimately closing out the match with confidence. In her post‑match comments, Hull admitted to feeling frustrated by missed opportunities earlier in the competition but emphasized that steady play and hitting greens were key to her success.
"I’ve been giving myself a lot of chances, and that’s been frustrating," she said. "I didn’t make a lot of birdies today, but I was very steady and hit a lot of greens." Grant’s flawless record made her the ninth player ever to finish a Solheim Cup with a 4‑0‑0 score. Her dominant 4&3 win over Yin was complemented by Lee’s equally impressive comeback, as Lee turned a four‑down position into a win in just seven holes, stunning Henseleit and keeping the USA’s hopes alive.
Lee reflected on the challenging conditions, noting that the rain‑soaked front nine limited her birdie chances. "I just tried to stay consistent," she explained. "The weather turned around later, and my game improved as a result." While Korda produced what many called the performance of the week, Europe’s other rookies also delivered points.
Nadaud defeated Andrea Lee 3&2, marking her third win in her debut, and Lopez Ramirez capped an unbeaten debut by beating Yealimi Noh. Madsen had previously beaten Allisen Corpuz, and Woad recovered from a three‑hole losing streak on the back nine to secure her win over Kim, keeping Europe on the brink of victory. Ciganda’s early lead against Kupcho proved decisive. The Spanish veteran built a comfortable cushion and never looked back, clinching the winning point for Europe.
"I’m so happy," she said. "We had a great team all week, one of the best we’ve had in recent years." The USA also saw some notable moments. Rookie Lindy Duncan halted Maja Stark’s perfect record, while Lauren Coughlin handed Leona Maguire her first Solheim singles loss, slightly narrowing the margin. In the bottom match, Rose Zhang defeated Celine Boutier 2 up, leaving the Frenchwoman without a point for the week.
Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist praised the collective effort: "There’s been a lot of hard work this week and over the past two years, not just from me but from the entire support staff. The helpers 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. We talked a lot about fast starts given the course conditions, and I’m extremely proud of the players for starting strong and finishing even stronger." USA captain Angela Stanford acknowledged Europe’s tenacity: "We did many things right leading up to this, and the players fought hard.
The Europeans played great today; they had their backs against the wall, nothing to lose, and they executed. Good for them." Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Spain for the La Sella Open at La Sella Golf Resort, while the LPGA Tour pauses 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. Fans can follow the latest Sky Sports deals or stream the action on NOW without a contract, and golfers can book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the provided search tool.