Team Europe took back the Solheim Cup on Sunday, riding a dominant singles performance to a 15-13 victory over the United States at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
The teams entered the final day tied 8-8, but Europe seized control early and never gave it back.
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The home side won six of the first eight completed singles matches, turning a tense start into a blue-heavy leaderboard that steadily pushed captain Anna Nordqvist’s team toward the 14 1/2 points needed to regain the trophy.
The breakthrough came from rookie Lottie Woad, who beat Auston Kim 2 and 1. Woad’s short putt secured the minimum point total Europe needed, setting off a celebration around the green.
“It’s been playing so good this week and not really getting anything off of it,” Nordqvist said of Woad. “But holing the winning putt, I don’t think that’s ever going to be hard to forget for her.”
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Moments later, Carlota Ciganda added another signature Solheim Cup moment by finishing off Jennifer Kupcho 4 and 2.
Ciganda had extra motivation after losing to Kupcho in Saturday four-balls, a match that included a 93-foot putt from the American and plenty of emotion.
“Today I knew she had no chance,” Ciganda said afterward. “I was like, I want to kill you.”
Europe also got an early spark from Charley Hull, who defeated Megan Khang 3 and 2, while Linn Grant rolled past Angel Yin 4 and 3.
Rookies Nastasia Nadaud and Julia Lopez Ramirez also delivered singles victories, underscoring how important Europe’s newcomers were throughout the week.
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The United States did produce one remarkable comeback. Alison Lee rallied from 4 down after 11 holes to beat Esther Henseleit 1 up, the largest singles comeback in Solheim Cup history.
But it wasn’t enough.
Europe has now won or retained the Solheim Cup in three of the last four editions, while the Americans remain without a road victory in the event since 2015.
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“This feels so good,” Nordqvist said after the win. “There’s just been so much hard work this week.”
For Europe, all that work ended with the trophy back in blue-and-yellow hands.
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