Anna Nordqvist concluded her golfing career on a high note by leading Europe to victory as captain in the 2026 Solheim Cup, held at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Despite stepping away from competitive play just weeks earlier at age 39, Nordqvist guided a largely underdog European team—including four rookies—to a 15-13 triumph over the United States, sustaining Europe’s dominance on home soil and extending the American drought abroad since 2015.
The contest, culminating on Sunday, saw Europe rally from an 8-8 tie after three sessions. Standout performances during the singles matches secured the win for the European side. Lottie Woad delivered the decisive moment with a tap-in putt to clinch a 2-up victory over Auston Kim, pushing Europe to 14 points, just shy of the 14.5 needed to reclaim the trophy. Carlota Ciganda sealed the outcome soon after by maintaining a lead over Jennifer Kupcho.
Nordqvist expressed a deep emotional connection to the victory, reflecting on the challenges of retiring while simultaneously managing her captaincy responsibilities. She credited her family’s ongoing support, noting their presence at every Solheim Cup and calling the experience “a family affair.” The Swedish captain acknowledged early skepticism about her decisions, particularly her pairing of Charley Hull and Woad, which proved effective as both players ranked among the tournament’s top birdie scorers.
The competition also featured notable moments of resilience and drama. Esther Henseleit staged the Solheim Cup’s most remarkable comeback, overcoming a 4-up deficit against Alison Lee to force a nail-biting finish, ultimately losing by a single hole. Other European players contributed crucial points: Linn Grant decisively defeated Angel Yin, Nanna Koerstz Madsen overcame Allisen Corpuz, and debutant Nastasia Nadaud continued her strong play by besting Andrea Lee. On the American side, Lindsey Duncan’s 3&1 win over Maja Stark and Rose Zhang’s last-hole victory against Céline Boutier offered bright spots, though they were insufficient to stop Europe’s charge.
U.S. captain Angela Stanford highlighted the resilience of her team but acknowledged Europe’s superior performance in singles play. She praised her players’ efforts and noted that the European side played with “nothing to lose,” making the victory understandable given the circumstances. Stanford’s remarks suggested uncertainty about her future role, referencing a leadership “pipeline” that includes players like Paula Creamer as potential future captains.
The event was largely marked by sportsmanship and competitive spirit, with only a minor incident involving one of the American players, Jessica Korda, and a gallery member stirring tension. Overall, the Bernardus venue was praised for hosting a compelling and spirited Solheim Cup showdown. For Nordqvist, the victory provided a fitting capstone to a distinguished career that also features three major championship titles.