Team Europe regained the Solheim Cup with a 15-13 victory over the United States on Sunday in Den Bosch, Netherlands.
Lottie Woad sank a 2-foot putt on the 17th hole to record a 2&1 win over Auston Kim, pushing the Europeans past the 14 1/2-point threshold at Bernardus Golf. That included Carlota Ciganda’s guaranteed half point in her match.
The successful putt ignited a celebration that featured Woad leaping into the arms of her teammates as Europe reveled in its eighth win in the event and avenged the United States’ victory in 2024.
Woad admitted she wasn’t sure if it was her match or that of Carlota Ciganda that ultimately would cement the victory for Team Europe.
“I knew it was mine or Carlota’s match,” Woad said. “And when Auston made those three birdies in a row that was great golf from her and I just had to try and stay steady, and the moment on 16 was a key one, definitely.”
Ciganda sealed the win with a 4-and-2 victory over Jennifer Kupcho, who sank a 93-foot putt to upend Ciganda on Saturday.
“I think it’s been one of the best teams that we’ve had in the last few years,” Ciganda said. “Everyone is just a unit, a team. That’s what Europe is about.”
The teams were locked in an 8-8 tie before Europe bolted out of the blocks by winning six of Sunday’s first eight matches, save for Alison Lee rallying from four down after 11 holes to notch a 1 up win over Esther Henseleit.
That represented the biggest comeback in a singles competition in Solheim Cup history.
“Huge,” Lee said of securing the victory. “I definitely kept an eye on the leaderboard the whole round. I did see a lot of blue up there, but I just did the best I can to change mine red and thankfully I was able to pull it off.”
–Field Level Media
