Team Europe have regained the Solheim Cup after an impressive singles display saw them beat Team USA 15-13 in an eventful day in the Netherlands.
Europe went into a rainy Sunday at Bernardus Golf tied 8-8 and requiring at least 6.5 points for victory, two years on from losing to Team USA, with Charley Hull leading from the front to beat Megan Khang 3&2 and put early blue on the board.
Anna Nordqvist’s side briefly led in eight of the 12 matches and moved further ahead when Linn Grant beat Angel Yin, completing her perfect week, but Alison Lee gave Team USA hope with a record comeback from four down to beat Esther Henseleit 1up.
World No 1 Nelly Korda levelled the contest when she saw off rookie Mimi Rhodes 4&3, but wins for Nastasia Nadaud, Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Julia Lopez Ramirez moved Europe closer to victory.
Lottie Woad beat Auston Kim to take the hosts to 14 points and sparked European celebrations, with Ciganda guaranteed at least a half-point, before the veteran – whose singles win 2023 saw them retain in Spain – defeated Jennifer Kupcho to confirm home victory.
How Team Europe claimed Europe on Solheim Cup glory
Kupcho’s sensational late birdies on Saturday evening had left Team USA captain Angela Stanford feeling like they had ‘turned the tide’ in their favour, only for Team Europe to quickly take charge on the final day.
Hull thrashed Korda 6&4 in the singles two years and was trusted to lead out Europe again, despite registering 0.5 points with Woad over the first four sessions, with the Englishwoman validating Nordqvist’s decision by claiming a full point.
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Charley Hull and Megan Khang both asked for the Solheim Cup crowd to make some noise ahead of them getting the singles under way
The eight-time Solheim Cup player won the opening hole with the par and never trailed against Khang, with Hull matching the American’s birdie at the eighth and then winning both par-fives on the back nine to close out victory.
“I’ve been giving myself so many chances, so that’s been quite frustrating,” Hull admitted. “Obviously didn’t hole a lot today, but I was just very steady, hit a lot of greens.”
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Charley Hull beat Megan Khang 3&2 during the singles session at the Solheim Cup, ensuring Europe would make a winning start
Grant became just the ninth player in history to post a 4-0-0 record or after a dominant 4&3 win over Yin, with American Lee matching the Swede’s record by coming back from four down with seven holes to stun Henseleit in match two.
“I just did my best to stay consistent,” Lee said. “That front nine was pretty tough with the rain coming down. I couldn’t give myself birdie chances and put myself in a good spot. Thankfully the weather turned around, and my golf game did as well.”
Korda produced her performance of the week against Rhodes but Europe’s other three rookies all returned points, with Nadaud seeing off Andrea Lee 3&2 for a third win of her debut before Lopez Ramirez capped off an unbeaten debut by beating Yealimi Noh.
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French rookie Nastasia Nadaud claimed a vital point for Europe as she defeated Andrea Lee 3&2, her third win from four matches
Madsen had seen off Allisen Corpuz before Woad recovered from losing three consecutive holes on the back nine to beat Kim and leave Europe on the brink, after a brief period of Team USA momentum, while Ciganda quickly built an early lead against Kupcho and claimed the winning point.
“I’m so happy,” Ciganda said. “I think we had a great team all week. I think it’s been one of the best teams that we’ve had in the last few years.”
Team USA rookie Lindy Duncan ended Maja Stark’s perfect record and Lauren Coughlin inflicted Leona Maguire’s first ever Solheim singles defeat, reducing the winning margin, while Rose Zhang beat Celine Boutier 2up in the bottom match to leave the Frenchwoman without a point for her week.
Nordqvist savours ‘amazing’ win as Stanford praises Europe
Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist:
“There’s just been so much hard work this week and in the last two years leading up to this from not only me, but all the background team. The helpers have been amazing this week, making it easy for the players just to play.
“We just had a really good vibe all week. Everyone’s been really good team-mates. We talked a lot about the fast starts this week with the way the golf course was. I’m just really, really proud of the players for starting strong and even finishing strong.”
Team USA captain Angela Stanford:
“I think that we did a lot of things right leading up to it and I know we did. They fought hard and we seemed to always be on the same page.
“The Europeans played great today and that’s the way it goes. Their backs were against the wall, they had nothing to lose, and that’s exactly what they did. They came out and played well, so good for them.”
More to follow…
What’s next?
The Ladies European Tour heads to Spain next for La Sella Open, beginning Thursday and held at La Sella Golf Resort, while the LPGA Tour takes a week off before the Walmart N Arkansas Championship from September 25-27.
The next edition of the Solheim Cup will be in 2028 and take place at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8-10 that year. Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.
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