Team Europe have regained the Solheim Cup after beating Team USA 15-13 in the singles at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Anna Nordqvist's side went into a rainy Sunday tied 8-8 and needing at least 6.5 points to reclaim the trophy, two years after losing to Team USA.
Charley Hull set the tone by beating Megan Khang 3&2 to put the first blue on the board. Europe briefly led in eight of the 12 singles matches and pulled further ahead when Linn Grant beat Angel Yin to complete a perfect week, before Alison Lee gave Team USA hope with a record comeback from four down to beat Esther Henseleit 1 up.
World No 1 Nelly Korda levelled the contest by beating rookie Mimi Rhodes 4&3, but wins for Nastasia Nadaud, Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Julia Lopez Ramirez moved Europe back toward victory. Lottie Woad then beat Auston Kim to take the hosts to 14 points, before Carlota Ciganda defeated Jennifer Kupcho to confirm the win. Ciganda's singles victory in 2023 had helped Europe retain the trophy in Spain.
Kupcho's Saturday surge and Hull's response
Kupcho's late birdies on Saturday evening had left Team USA captain Angela Stanford feeling the momentum had turned in their favour, only for Europe to seize control on the final day.
Hull, who thrashed Korda 6&4 in the 2024 singles, was again trusted to lead out Europe despite registering just 0.5 points with Woad over the first four sessions. She won the opening hole with a par and never trailed against Khang, matching the American's birdie at the eighth before winning both par-fives on the back nine to close out the match.
"I've been giving myself so many chances, so that's been quite frustrating," Hull said. "Obviously didn't hole a lot today, but I was just very steady, hit a lot of greens."
Grant's perfect week and Lee's comeback
Grant became just the ninth player in history to post a 4-0-0 record, beating Yin 4&3 despite winning zero points from four matches in 2024. American Lee matched that feat in reverse, coming back from four down with seven holes to play to stun Henseleit.
"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 best performance of the week against Rhodes, but Europe's other three rookies all delivered points. Nadaud beat Andrea Lee 3&2 for her third win of the week, while Lopez Ramirez capped an unbeaten debut by beating Yealimi Noh.
Woad and Ciganda close it out
Madsen beat Allisen Corpuz before Woad recovered from losing three consecutive holes on the back nine to defeat Kim, pushing Europe to the brink after a brief spell of American momentum. Ciganda then 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 handed Leona Maguire her first ever Solheim Cup singles defeat, trimming the margin. Rose Zhang beat Celine Boutier 2 up in the bottom match, leaving the Frenchwoman without a point for the week.
Captains react
Nordqvist said there had been so much hard work over the week and across the previous two years, not just from her but from the entire background team, who she said had made it easy for the players to focus on golf. She said the team had a really good vibe all week and had talked about making fast starts given the conditions, adding that she was proud of the players for starting and finishing strong.
Stanford said her team had done a lot of things right in the buildup and had fought hard while staying on the same page. She said the Europeans played great with their backs against the wall and had nothing to lose, and credited them for coming out and playing well.
Europe's win in numbers
The victory was Europe's eighth in 20 editions of the Solheim Cup and their first since 2021. Europe have now won six of the 10 editions held on home soil.
Seven points won in the singles is Europe's best return since they earned 7.5 in 2013. Grant top-scored for Europe with four points from four matches. Ciganda became only the second European in history to win multiple Solheim Cup-clinching points, joining Catriona Matthew, who did so in 2003 and 2013. Nadaud and Rhodes became the first rookie pair in history to win two matches together.
What's next
The Ladies European Tour heads to Spain next for the La Sella Open, beginning Thursday at La Sella Golf Resort. The LPGA Tour takes a week off before the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship from September 25-27. The next Solheim Cup will be held in 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, from September 8-10.
