Not for the first time this week, Carlota Ciganda was the hero of Team Europe at the Solheim Cup — this time to win it all.
It wasn’t Ciganda’s first time securing the clinching point for the Europeans either.
Back in 2023, Ciganda beat Nelly Korda, 2 and 1, to tie Europe and the United States at 14-14. Europe would retain the cup at Spain’s Finca Cortesin.
On Sunday at the Netherland’s Bernardus Golf, Ciganda was once again in the penultimate match — this time against new cup rival Jennifer Kupcho — and she won 4 and 2, securing the outright win for the Europeans, 15-13.
“I think it’s been one of the best teams that we’ve had in the last few years. Everyone just a unit, a team. That’s what Europe is about,” Ciganda said. “And we had a great time. I think some great matches, lots of birdies. Yeah, very happy to do it for Anna.”
Solheim Sunday started tied, 8-8, after Europe and the United States tied both of the first days, but the Americans suffered putting woes on a wet Bernardus course. Europe won six of the first eight matches.
Charley Hull earned Europe’s first point of the day, beating Megan Khang 3 and 2. It was a bit of redemption for Hull, who went 0-3-1 over Friday and Saturday — all with partner Lottie Woad.
The cup could’ve been decided sooner, but Alison Lee — out second against Esther Henseleit — came from 4 down at the 11th to win 1 up, securing the largest singles comeback in Solheim Cup history.
“I just did my best to stay consistent. That front nine was pretty tough with the rain coming down,” Lee said.
Lee and Linn Grant, who won her Sunday match against Angel Yin, were the top scorers this week for the United States and Europe, respectively. Both went 4-0-0 in their matches and earned 4 points for each of their teams.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda won her match against Solheim Cup rookie Mimi Rhodes, 4 and 2, before Europe rattled off four straight wins: Nanna Koerstz Madsen won 2 and 1 over Allisen Corpuz, Nastasia Nadaud won 3 and 2 over Andrea Lee, Julia Lopez Ramirez won 3 and 2 over Yealimi Noh, and Woad won 2 and 1 over Auston Kim.
Lauren Coughlin and Lindy Duncan secured 2 points for the Americans against Leona Maguire and Maja Stark, respectively, giving the U.S. some hope of at least tying and retaining the cup. But Ciganda’s point followed, making Rose Zhang’s 2 up win over Celine Boutier fruitless.
The United States will have to wait until 2030 for another chance to win on European soil — 15 years removed from their last triumph on rival soil in Germany in 2015.
Stats were on the Europeans side in the Netherlands. For the seventh time in cup history, the U.S. and Europe came into the final day tied. Anytime that has happened previously, the home team either won or retained the cup.
The next Solheim Cup will take place September 4-10, 2028 at the iconic Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
