DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — Lottie Woad made it certain. Carlota Ciganda—naturally, who else?—clinched the victory.
Vamos! Team Europe has reclaimed the Solheim Cup.
The surge of blue started early during Sunday’s singles matches at Bernardus Golf and persisted throughout the day, culminating in Woad sinking a 2-foot putt on the 17th hole to secure her individual match and ensure the European side secured the 14.5 points required to win back the crystal trophy from the United States.
One of the four rookies representing Team Europe, Woad pumped her fist in excitement and leaped into the embrace of her fellow players, who rushed onto the putting green to celebrate.
Less than ten minutes later, Ciganda, in expected fashion, mathematically delivered the winning margin for the European squad.
The Spanish golfer, who also secured the winning point during Europe’s successful title defense in 2023, wrapped up a 4-and-2 triumph over Jennifer Kupcho. The spirited American had previously shouted “Vamos!” (“Let’s go!”) after draining an incredible 93-foot putt during her Saturday four-ball victory over Ciganda in a highly competitive contest.
“Today, I knew there was no way she would win,” Ciganda expressed. “My attitude was, I want to destroy you.”
Chants of “Olé, Olé, Olé, Olé” echoed across the golf course while the final pairings wrapped up, and the European squad and their support staff began their festivities, popping Champagne bottles and wrapping themselves in national flags.
Skipper Anna Nordqvist, alongside her vice-captains, players, and caddies, linked arms to form a wide line, marching together up the 18th fairway toward the final green where Celine Boutier—the last European competitor still playing—was finishing her contest.
As soon as Boutier completed her final hole, she leaped straight into the joyous group huddle.
The definitive outcome in the Netherlands stood at Europe 15, United States 13.
Amidst a haze of yellow and blue smoke, Nordqvist raised the Solheim Cup high while standing on a stage positioned before a first-tee grandstand packed with ecstatic European supporters, before passing the trophy around to her triumphant roster and coaching staff.
“The feeling is incredible,” stated Nordqvist, who had shared news of her retirement from professional play just a fortnight prior. “An immense amount of effort was poured into this week, as well as over the two-year journey getting here.”
Team Europe has now claimed victory in three of the past five tournaments, with their sole defeat during this run occurring in Virginia two seasons back. The American squad’s reign with the cup was brief, and their drought in away matches continues, stretching back to 2015.
“The European side performed phenomenally today, and sometimes that’s just golf,” commented U.S. captain Angela Stanford. “They were cornered and had no pressure on them, and they responded perfectly by stepping up and delivering great performances.”
Following a deadlocked 8-8 scoreline over the opening two days, the competitors headed out into pouring rain on Sunday for the dozen singles pairings. Europe launched an aggressive start, coloring the leaderboard blue and capturing six of the opening eight matchups. Ciganda later delivered the decisive triumph in the eleventh pairing.
Initial points secured by Charley Hull and Linn Grant set a solid foundation for the overall victory. The lone scare for the Europeans occurred when American competitor Alison Lee rallied from a four-hole deficit after eleven holes to edge out Esther Henseleit 1-up, marking the most dramatic turnaround in the history of the tournament.
First-time participants played a crucial role for the European team throughout the tournament, particularly on Sunday, as Woad, Nastasia Nadaud, and Julia Lopez Ramirez each registered wins in their respective singles pairings.
The 21-year-old French rookie, Nadaud, emerged as a standout star during the event by securing three points. Her tally was surpassed only by Grant and Lee, who each earned four points, and Lauren Coughlin with three and a half.
“In my opinion, this is one of the strongest groups we have assembled in recent seasons,” Ciganda noted. “We functioned completely as a single, cohesive unit. That is the true spirit of the European team.”
Historically, the United States still holds the upper hand in the overall series at 11 victories to Europe’s 8, with one tie.
A major talking point throughout the tournament centered around the underwhelming displays from the top-ranked members of the European roster.
The English duo of Hull and Woad played alongside each other in all four opening sessions—marking a first in Solheim Cup history—yet managed to secure only a single half-point from those matches.
However, Sunday brought redemption. Hull set a dominant tone from the start, overcoming the previously unbeaten Megan Khan 3-and-2 in the opening match, while Woad built a four-hole lead on the front nine against Auston Kim before clinching a 2-and-1 victory.
“Her performance was excellent all week without much reward to show for it,” Nordqvist remarked regarding Woad. “But sinking that decisive putt is an experience she will certainly cherish forever.”
