Eyebrows were raised when Anna Nordqvist somewhat abruptly announced her retirement from competitive golf last month at the age of just 39. Heads were turned when Nordqvist kept Solheim Cup faith with the pairing of Charley Hull and Lottie Woad despite a miserable points return in the Netherlands. Nordqvist sounded unsure about elements of the Solheim Cup’s captains agreement before a ball was whacked in anger.
The last laugh belongs to Nordqvist herself, who can sail off into the sunset having added a triumphant Solheim Cup captaincy to a career that had already returned three major wins. What a rousing afternoon this soon became for women’s golf in Europe. The understated Nordqvist was on the podium once more.
The wait for a USA win on foreign soil, stretching back to 2015, goes on. Europe are due huge praise for their singles performance here, which had felt unlikely from a four-session position of an 8-8 tie. Nordqvist and her players, including four rookies, were underdogs.
On day three, there was seldom any doubt they would upset the odds. The record books will show 15-13 as the margin of victory when, in essence, there was more between the teams on Sunday. It’s been a lot of hard work.
It’s been really hard retiring weeks ago, then doing this and doing them both at the same time. I’m forever grateful for everything that’s happened. It doesn’t feel like I worked a day in my life.
Having my family support from very far away, living in the US on my own, but to have them here at every single Solheim Cup, and now to share it with my nieces and nephews, seeing my brothers cry, my sister-in-law, it’s just always been a family affair for me.” In fact, it feels inadequate that Nordqvist wants to step away from it all. The defining moment belonged to Woad. Her tap-in to secure a 2up win against Auston Kim meant Europe reached 14 points.
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