Anna Nordqvist captained Team Europe to a 15-13 win over Team USA at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, regaining the Solheim Cup after losing it in 2024.
Europe won seven of the 12 singles matches on Sunday to seal victory on home soil.
The win capped an eventful few months for Nordqvist, who had previously admitted that juggling captaincy duties with playing on the LPGA Tour had been "a lot more" than she expected. The Swede announced her retirement from playing mid-season, in the weeks leading up to the Solheim Cup.
Asked in her victory press conference whether she would consider taking the captaincy again for the 2028 edition, Nordqvist joked: "No, I'm retiring tomorrow!"
She then gave a more considered answer. "You're never going to say never, but I just need a little bit of time off. I don't know what my future holds. Obviously I just retired from playing two weeks ago," she said.
"It was hard at times this week to not hit a shot, but it's really nice and rewarding to see that there's so many other ways in golf you can stay involved and get the same feeling. It's sometimes even more nerve wracking watching these girls, but then you see how good they are and you just become really impressed."
"Hopefully I can stay involved in golf in one way or another, but I'm going to enjoy a little bit of time off in the next couple weeks and hopefully catch up a little bit of rest - there hasn't been much lately."
Could Nordqvist return in 2028?
Suzann Pettersen captained Europe in successive Solheim Cups, retaining the trophy with a 14-14 tie in 2023 before losing in 2024. Catriona Matthew remains the only European captain to win back-to-back editions, guiding the team to a 14.5-13.5 home win at Gleneagles in 2019 and an away success two years later in Ohio.
Matthew said she expects Nordqvist to enjoy this win before looking ahead to a potential return. "Europe may give Anna the choice to carry on," Matthew told Sky Sports. "An away match is so different, it requires a different type of captaincy."
"You don't want to hog it too long, as others are waiting. I think you need to let them cherish this one before you look too far ahead. The 2028 Solheim Cup will be hotly contested. Europe have some rookies now who you have to think will be the backbone of the team for years to come."
Praise from players and rivals
Nordqvist's display was praised by her counterpart, United States captain Angela Stanford, who said she "seemed to handle everything very well" and "was a great captain."
Her own players were equally complimentary. "She's been an awesome captain and I just think the whole week has just been really, really enjoyable," said Charley Hull, who led out Team Europe in the Sunday singles.
Caroline Hedwall, Mel Reid and Anne van Dam served as vice-captains, with Dame Laura Davies also part of the team room. An announcement on who will lead Team Europe in 2028 is not expected until next year.
'You just never know'
Former Ladies European Tour player Sophie Walker told Sky Sports News that Nordqvist's role suited her. "A captain is somebody that you'd like to be on tour around players," she said.
"I got the impression that, before this Solheim Cup started, it was one and done for Nordqvist. But when you win, you just never know, do you?"
"There were 12 players in there, three vice-captains and all those helpers that would love Nordqvist to be captain again. I think she's been really successful not only because she's won the cup, but successful in the team room as well."
What's next
The next Solheim Cup will be held at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8 to 10, 2028.
