It was a fantastic final day at the Solheim Cup, which had plenty of drama to keep us entertained but in the end it was Team USA who claimed the cup back and sorted out some unfinished business
The theme of this week was 'unfinished business' and that combined with what we were told was a lot of fun, were the two things that were driving Team USA at the 2024 Solheim Cup. There was also a nod to patriotism and the anniversary of 9/11.
All of this, plus the presence of former President Barack Obama, meant that from the first tee shot on Friday, the odds were very much stacked against the European team. This is without mentioning the home soil and home crowd advantage.
Team USA really were the better team over the first two days, even though the second day was tied 4-4. In particular it stood out that once they got to the back nine, they would tend to dominate the match.
Sunday Singles
With Team USA looking to win back the cup after coming agonisingly close last year, the Americans started the day with a 10-6 lead and needing only 4.5 points from 12.
An hour after all the matches were out at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and with the first match on the green at 13, it was Europe up in five matches USA up in seven. The momentum definitely seemed to be shifting in USA's favour but Europe definitely weren't going down without a fight.
First point to Europe - Charley Hull takes down the World number one
The first match of Nelly Korda and Charley Hull had blockbuster written all over it but whilst Hull came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders, Korda never seemed to be able to get into any rhythm and after missing a relatively easy putt on the second, the match went 1up to Europe. Korda did win one hole back at the 5th, the only real highlight of her round.
The push for Hull was relentless, she attacked every shot, the putts dropped and she did exactly what we have all been used to seeing over the years in her Solheim Cup appearances.
She finished it off with a fantastic approach shot at 14 to a few feet from the hole and won the match 6&4.
Megan Khang completes a dream Solheim Cup
Only a few moments after Hull claimed the first point for Europe, Megan Khang got the first of the 4.5 points USA needed as she beat Emily Pedersen 6&5.
Like her European counterpart, Khang came out meaning business and never relinquished her lead after winning the first hole and going 2up after two holes. Pedersen steadied the ship for a few holes but on the par 5 8th Kang would eagle to go 3up. The American who had won both matches she had played this week would claim holes nine and 11 and finish the match on 12th hole. A massive 6&5 win.
Hall finishes on a high
Coming off her fourball victory with Hull on Saturday afternoon, Georgia Hall started off as she meant to go on in her singles match against Alison Lee. After seven holes Hall was 4up due to some great putting. Although Lee managed a second chip in in two days with one for an eagle on 10, she wasn't able to convert her birdie putt on 11, so Hall returned to 4up.
Lee then got her second and last hole win of the day on 12, with Hall winning 14 by holing another long putt and closing out the match by halving 15 to win 4&3.
Zhang goes 4-0-0
Unlike the rookies of 2024, Zhang had seemed a little out of her depth in 2023. One year on and the American looked like a different player at this year's Solheim Cup. Coming into her singles match against Solheim veteran Carlota Ciganda, she could be forgiven for feeling a little intimidated at the prospect, but she in fact showed just how much she has grown as a player on golf's biggest stage.
Ciganda would win the first hole as Zhang settled in, then she flicked the switch, winning the next four holes to get to 3up. Ciganda would birdie the par 3 ninth, but it was only a glimmer of hope as Zhang's putts continued to drop on 10, 11 and 12 and she would finish the match on 14 to win 6&4, taking down one of the greatest and most competitive players in Solheim Cup history.
Zhang became the eighth player, and third American, in Solheim Cup history to finish 4-0-0 or better and with wins of 3&2, 3&2, 5&4 and 6&4, Zhang becomes the first player ever to go 4-0-0 or better and never reach the 17th hole in any match!
Corpuz - the silent assassin
It is so difficult to read Allisen Corpuz, she is a silent assassin, of sorts. The fact that she was playing a nine-time Solheim Cupper in Anna Nordqvist is unlikely to have phased her and it showed on Sunday. She never lost her lead after the second hole and like during other matches, her putter worked in her favour sinking some long putts to win holes.
USA have dominated the back nine this week and again, this is where Corpuz made her move after being 1up at the turn. The 26-year-old would win the 11th, 12th and 14th holes, with the match being won on the 15th - 4&3.
How did she feel playing against Nordqvist? "Anna is such an awesome player. I grew up watching her play. We both played really well. She holed out on 5 for eagle and it was just a really fun match. I think we both played really well."
Henseliet halves
We would have to wait another hour until more points were added to the board but in a 45-minute window the Solheim Cup would be decided.
First up was the match between Esther Henseleit and Andrea Lee. This turned into one of the closest fought matches of the day. It became too close to call as the match went back and forth and was tied at the turn. After winning holes 10 and 11, Henseleit looked to take hold but Lee had other ideas, winning 14 and 16 to end up taking the match down the final hole. With the score 13-8, Europe needed the point but it ended a tie. USA now needed just one more point to win the Solheim Cup.
Boutier beats Thompson
The much needed point didn't come from the next match, although at one point during the day it had looked like Lexi Thompson could claim the winning point after she was 3up after 11 holes. It was at this point that Celine Boutier showed the grit and performance that we have been so used to at the Solheim Cup. Wins on 12, 13 and 15 got the match back to tied. Heading down 18, Boutier hit a bombing drive and then an approach shot to 6 feet that gave her a putt for a birdie and the win and she duly converted. 13.5 vs 9.5
Redemption and a point to prove from Maguire
A big talking point this week has been around the fact that Leona Maguire was only selected for two sessions, after playing all five in the last two Solheim Cups. With a point to prove, it was going to be tough for Ally Ewing to get a hold of this match. However, the American held on as long as she could, whilst Maguire built momentum in the match.
Tied after seven, Maguire would then go on to win the 8th and 9th hole and add a third on 14 and close out the match on 15. Another point for Europe (13.5 to 10.5) and maybe one of the most significant due to the many questions around her this week. Here are Maguire's thoughts.
Stark stems Coughlin's win streak
Lauren Coughlin came into her match against Maya Stark with three victories already under her belt. Looking to add a fourth, she would come up against a formidable opponent in Maja Stark. Stark started strong by winning the first and third holes and then would be 3up after six. It looked like the US rookie might have met her match, especially when Stark was still 3up after 10 holes. A few errors crept in and it was at this point that Coughlin took advantage, eventually tying the match after Stark hit her ball into the water on 14.
The match would remain tied until the 18th hole, where both players got to see a scoreboard and knew that a win for USA would give them the Solheim Cup. Stark's putt for birdie ran by the hole and while Coughlin got her par, Stark had a nervy putt just to get the half. Whilst everyone held their breath, Stark held her composure, sinking the putt and getting the half point. 14 - 11.
Vu halves to win Solheim Cup
The World number two taking on the 63rd ranked woman would potentially look one-sided, but this is matchplay and the Solheim Cup. Although Albane Valenzuela had not had much airtime this week, only competing in the Friday foursomes, her love, drive and competitiveness for the Solheim Cup meant that it wasn't likely to be an easy match for Lilia Vu.
Vu did control the front nine at one point but by the eighth Albane had levelled the match. The Swiss player fought hard and momentum shifted in her favour as Vu wasn't able to get a putt to drop. Two-up with two to play, it looked like another point would go to Europe.
Maybe it was her World ranking or maybe just experience (or a bit of both) but Vu dug deep to get the match down 18. Whilst Valenzuela couldn't get her approach shot close, Vu executed a perfect shot to just over a foot to make a birdie, winning the hole and halving the match - getting the vital half point that USA needed to win the Solheim Cup. 14.5 - 11.5
Kupcho wins 2&1
Wild celebrations broke out around the 18th green with two matches still out on the course. Jennifer Kupcho had remained dominant throughout most of her match against Linn Grant after going 3up after three holes. The Swede would fight back to level the match after 11 holes but with the smell of victory in the air, Kupcho lifted her game again to winning 14 and then 17 to take the match 2&1.
Sagstrom fights for her (consolation) point
In true gritty, fighting fashion Madelene Sagstrom was going to see her match out to the end. The US rookie Sarah Schmelzel had played some great golf, although she never led, she never gave up and holed some fantastic putts (and that bunker shot) to keep herself in the game. Another match that ended up going down 18 after Sagstrom got back to 1up with one to play. In the end, the hole was halved and Sagstrom got one last consolation point for Team Europe.
It was always going to be tough for Team Europe to come back from four points behind but for the last hour of play, there was a very real chance that it could happen. Team USA played very well all week but Europe never gave up, which gave us all a fantastic final day's play. One that will hopefully live long in the memory as we now have to wait two years until we get to do it all again.
We look forward to the Solheim Cup heading to the Netherlands who are set to host their first ever Solheim Cup, as the bi-annual team matchplay tournament makes its way to Bernardus 07-13 September 2026.
To find out more about the 2026 Solheim Cup, visit SolheimCup2026.golf
