Europe Reclaims Solheim Cup With 15-13 Victory Over United States in the Netherlands

Sunday singles turn the tie

Team Europe regained the Solheim Cup on Sunday at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, defeating the United States 15-13. The two teams entered the final day level at 8-8 after two days of foursomes and fourballs under European captain Anna Nordqvist and US captain Angela Stanford. Heavy rain fell as the singles matches began, but Europe won six of the first eight encounters to build a substantial lead. Charley Hull opened the European effort with a 3-and-2 victory over Megan Khang, leading from the first hole and never conceding a hole. Linn Grant followed with another early point, establishing the momentum that carried the home side through the afternoon.

“It's a no-brainer to put Charley first.”

Hull and Woad rebound from early struggles

The opening victory provided redemption for Hull and 22-year-old English rookie Lottie Woad, who had managed only half a point across four matches as a pair on Friday and Saturday. Nordqvist retained faith in the world number seven and world number eight despite losing three of their four paired matches. Woad faced Auston Kim in a pivotal contest, moving 4 up through 11 holes before losing three consecutive holes to an American run. Woad halted the comeback by halving the 15th hole and finished the match on the 17th green with a 2-foot putt for a 2-and-1 win, securing Europe's 14th point.

“Felt like I was playing good golf and not getting the points and felt like I was kind of letting everyone down.”

Ciganda seals outright victory

The United States mounted resistance in the middle matches, including a 1-up win by Alison Lee over Esther Henseleit after trailing 4 down through 11 holes. World number one Nelly Korda also defeated Mimi Rhodes to briefly tie the overall score at 10-10. Europe answered with victories from Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Nastasia Nadaud, and Julia Lopez Ramirez to pull ahead 14-10. Spanish veteran Carlota Ciganda sealed the outright win with a 4-and-2 victory over Jennifer Kupcho, taking Europe to 15 points before Rose Zhang beat Céline Boutier in the final match. Ciganda avenged her Saturday fourball defeat, where Kupcho had holed putts of 91 and 30 feet on the 17th and 18th greens.

“Today I was really motivated to beat her, because I knew it was going to be important.”

Nordqvist bows out with trophy

The outcome marks Europe's third victory across the last five Solheim Cup editions, with the sole defeat in that run coming two years ago in Virginia. Nordqvist, who announced her competitive retirement last month at age 39 after winning three major championships, became the third Swedish captain to lift the trophy, joining Catrin Nilsmark and Liselotte Neumann. The American team remains without a victory on European soil since 2015 in Germany. The overall series now stands at 11 titles for the United States and 9 for Europe, with the next edition set for September 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

United States11

Europe9

United States

11

Europe

9

Data from the article text