Charley Hull and Lottie Woad help Europe to Solheim Cup victory

English duo Hull and Woad had struggled as a partnership across the first two days in the Netherlands and lost three of their four matches together, but showed their class to win their decisive singles on Sunday.

After Europe and USA started the day level at 8-8 on the back of a thrilling day two, Hull kicked off the victory charge for Anna Nordqvist’s team with a 3&2 win over Megan Khang.

It was followed up by big celebrations when Woad edged out Auston Kim 2&1.

With Europe up to 14 points, veteran Carlota Ciganda sealed a first outright win since 2021 after she got the better of Jennifer Kupcho 4&2 to start the victory party.

“This feels so good,” Nordqvist told Sky Sports.

“There’s just been so much hard work this week and in the last two years leading up to this from, not only me, but all the background team.

“The helpers have been amazing this week, making it easy for the players just to play. We just had a really good vibe all week. Everyone has been really good team-mates.”

The United States hoped the tide had turned when Kupcho landed two last-gasp birdies on Saturday night before she shushed the Europe crowd.

However, Hull put two difficult days behind her to ask for more noise ahead of her match with Khang and went ahead with a par on the first hole.

After the pair both produced birdies at the eighth, Hull sealed victory on the par fives during the back nine to get Europe off to a flying start.

Linn Grant was brilliant in a 4&3 triumph over Angel Yin to increase Europe’s advantage and complete a clean sweep for the weekend, before Nordqvist saw her rookies show their mettle.

Nastasia Nadaud downed Andrea Lee 3&2 and Julia Lopez Ramirez won by the same margin over Yealimi Noh.

Nelly Korda produced a fine display to beat Mimi Rhodes 4&2 and Alison Lee finished one up over Esther Henseleit, but Woad proved to be Europe’s ace in the pack.

She was four up by the end of the front nine and even though Kim reduced the deficit, the Englishwoman rolled in for par at the 16th to secure a crucial 2&1 victory, which virtually clinched Europe’s success with Ciganda three up on the 15th.

Fittingly it was Ciganda who claimed the official winning point on her eighth Solheim Cup appearance after three birdies in a row had opened up a healthy lead and another on the 16th meant the crowd at Bernardus Golf Club could erupt with Europe holders again.

“It’s good,” Hull said after her victory.

“It had been a frustrating week. Me and Lottie had played pretty well but we just couldn’t hole a putt and played against some tough opponents, but it felt good to get on the board.”

Woad added: “I felt like I was kind of letting everyone down, but the captains spoke to me and said there was a stat that I was third on birdies, so I was playing good golf and I just had to trust that.

“And that’s golf sometimes. It ends up I get the winning putt.”