I’m still on an absolute high after the Solheim Cup - to be there in person and watch Europe reclaim the trophy was incredible. Unlike the 2024 edition in Virginia, where Team USA carried a commanding 10–6 lead into the final day, this time we entered the Sunday singles deadlocked at 8–8. We couldn’t have asked for a closer, more thrilling match!
I have returned home with a stinking cold, perhaps not helped by the torrential rain on Sunday (although that might just be an old wives’ tale!). In reality, it’s probably more to do with the two brutal 5am alarm calls I endured to make sure I was on the 5.30am transfer bus to Bernardus Golf, followed by a long day working in the media centre and out on the course.
But I’m certainly not complaining, it was all worth it! Please, please, if you’ve never experienced a Solheim Cup, then seriously think about going. There’s nothing else like it in golf. Yes, we have our favourite players, but to become fully absorbed in cheering for a whole team is just fantastic - and watching these players perform in match play action under so much pressure is amazing to see.
Inside the Media Centre
In this article I’ve shared my 7 takeaways from the Solheim Cup, though I could easily have listed a few more. There was certainly plenty of chatter about the Charley Hull and Lottie Woad pairing and Captain Anna Nordqvist’s decision to persevere with the duo, given they set an unwanted record by securing just half a point across four matches together.
With the media openly questioning the pairing, it was fascinating to hear Anna address it in her post-tournament press conference. Responding to a journalist, she explained that Saturday’s stats showed Charley and Lottie were actually among the top four birdie-makers up to that point. As Anna pointed out, outsiders don't always see the full picture - the pair were playing fantastic golf, but they simply ran into American opponents who played slightly better on the day. That was the end of that conversation!
"While Anna was defending her stats, US Captain Angela Stanford was in a far more self-critical mood. She was clearly beating herself up over her team's pace control on the greens, taking full blame for not hammering home the message that they were slow and needed a firmer stroke."
She felt it was her responsibility to get the team ready, but I think she was being a bit hard on herself. These are professional golfers - after all, even us club players have to quickly gauge green speeds and adjust our strokes accordingly!
Looking Ahead to 2028
All said and done, it was a fantastic match that showcased everything that makes women’s golf so special. From the sensational shot-making to the electric atmosphere, the Solheim Cup continues to prove why it is, without a doubt, one of the greatest events on the women’s sporting calendar. I’m already counting down the days until the next showdown at Valhalla in 2028. Hope to see some of you there!
