Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup with a 15-13 victory over the United States at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, and Carlota Ciganda supplied the decisive spark. The Spaniard defeated Jennifer Kupcho 4 and 2 in Sunday singles to deliver Europe’s final point, capping a commanding performance in which she won the second, third, fourth and fifth holes and never surrendered control.
The victory carried extra edge after Kupcho’s dramatic finish in Saturday’s four-ball session. Playing alongside Celine Boutier, Ciganda had Europe two holes ahead after 14 against Kupcho and Lindy Duncan, but Kupcho drained a 90-foot putt on the 17th to square the match before making a 25-footer on the 18th to win it. The result left the competition tied heading into the final day and added further intensity to the rematch between Ciganda and Kupcho.
Ciganda had already produced a crucial half-point on Friday alongside fellow Spaniard Julia Lopez Ramirez. After finding trouble off the tee and with her second shot on the 18th, she pitched to roughly 10 feet and holed the par putt against Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin, helping Europe finish the opening day tied with the Americans at four points apiece.
After closing out Kupcho on Sunday, Ciganda offered one of the most memorable quotes in Solheim Cup history. “Today I knew she had no chance. I was like, I want to kill you,” she said, while praising Kupcho’s fight and acknowledging the importance of playing for Europe. “I love beating the Americans,” Ciganda added. “Playing for something bigger than yourself … this is why I play golf.”