Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup in impressive fashion after defeating the United States 15 13 at Bernardus Golf Club in the Netherlands, with several of the team’s biggest names producing their best performances in Sunday’s singles.
Charley Hull set the tone for Europe, overcoming American star Megan Khang 3&2 to give the hosts an early lift. Hull had managed only half a point from the opening two days while partnering fellow Englishwoman Lottie Woad, but she quickly put that disappointment behind her when it mattered most.
Her victory extended Europe’s unbeaten run in the singles format since suffering their last home defeat in 2015 and gave Anna Nordqvist’s team the momentum they needed.
Woad, one of the world’s top 10 ranked players alongside Hull, also delivered a crucial result. The Englishwoman defeated fellow Solheim Cup debutant Auston Kim 2&1, sparking loud celebrations from the European camp on the 17th green.
Carlota Ciganda then moved Europe closer to the winning mark, holding a three hole advantage as she approached the 16th. Her strong position meant Europe was assured of reaching the 14 and a half points needed to secure victory in the biggest team competition in women’s golf.
Nordqvist said selecting Hull to lead Europe into the singles was an easy decision after the team assessed the performances from the opening days.
According to the European captain, Hull and Woad had been among the leading players for birdies throughout the week despite facing difficult matches. She also praised the quality of golf produced by both teams during the competition.
Ciganda’s role in completing the victory was particularly fitting. The experienced Spaniard carried Europe over the winning line in the penultimate match against Jennifer Kupcho, reversing the disappointment of their fourballs encounter a day earlier.
Kupcho had stunned the European crowd on Saturday evening when she holed a remarkable 91 foot putt on the 17th before following it with a 30 foot effort on the 18th to snatch a point from Ciganda.
That dramatic finish appeared to swing momentum towards the United States, but less than 24 hours later, the mood had completely changed.
Instead, it was Europe celebrating in blue and yellow as their leading players stepped up when it mattered most and helped bring the Solheim Cup back into European hands.
