Netherlands: Europe defeated the USA 15-13 to win the 2026 Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf Course in the Netherlands. Team Europe, led by captain Anna Nordqvist, reclaimed the prestigious golf trophy after a closely contested match, which began with a tie at 8-8. The European team delivered a strong performance in the singles matches on Sunday, securing a victory on their home soil.
According to Thai News Agency, the decisive moment came when English professional golfer Lottie Woade defeated Auston Kim 2and1 in match 8, pushing Team Europe beyond their target of 14.5 points. Carlota Ciganda then clinched the victory with a 4and2 win over Jennifer Kapcho in match 11, further demonstrating her prowess as one of the tournament's top singles players. Ciganda's performance this year brought her total singles points in the Solheim Cup to 5.5, placing her third among European players.
Charley Hull initiated Europe's winning momentum by defeating Megan Kang 3and2 in their first match. Despite a challenging start on Friday and Saturday when paired with Woade, Hull showcased her skill in the singles matches on Sunday. Lynn Grant from Sweden emerged as a standout player for Europe, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record throughout the tournament.
Grant and Alison Lee were the only two players to earn four points in the tournament. Lee's notable comeback in a singles match saw her overturn a four-down deficit to beat Esther Henserlite 1 up after 11 holes. With this victory, Europe has now won the Solheim Cup nine times, while the United States has claimed it 11 times. The next Solheim Cup is scheduled for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, USA.
Reflecting on the victory, Captain Nordqvist expressed pride in her team, stating, "It was fantastic. So much hard work has been done over the past two years leading up to this week, not just by me but also by everyone behind the scenes. They did an amazing job this week and helped facilitate a smooth competition for the players." She added that the early European lead was crucial and commended the players and caddies for their efforts.