Europe won the Solheim Cup 15-13 at Bernardus Golf last weekend, and four rookies played a huge part in it. Anna Nordqvist picked Nastasia Nadaud (21), Julia Lopez Ramirez (23), Mimi Rhodes (24) and Lottie Woad for her team, with three of the four coming in as captain’s picks and Woad the only debut automatic qualifier. They combined for eight and a half points, more than enough to justify the faith placed in them.
The Rookie Four
Nordqvist admitted some critics doubted her decision to field four debutants for the most pressure-packed event in women’s golf. “So many people said it was a bit of a risk having four rookies, but I was so impressed with them,” she said. “I never felt like they were rookies.”
Rhodes was the only one of the four who failed to win a Solheim singles match, losing to world number one Nelly Korda on the final day. Even then, Rhodes pushed Korda hard, taking her down to 15. The other three — Nadaud, Lopez Ramirez and Woad — each won a match.
Woad made the winning putt that sealed the victory, with four matches still to be completed. Her 2&1 triumph over Auston Kim took Europe to 14 points with Carlotta Ciganda already three up on the 16th tee. There was nothing America could do after that.
Trust In Youth
Nordqvist’s singles line-up leaned heavily on trusting young talent. Of the rookies playing Solheim singles for the first time, only Rhodes failed to win. Rhodes was sent out fourth, while Nadaud, Lopez Ramirez and Woad held positions six, seven and eight.
The captain’s picks also included relative veteran Leona Maguire. Between the rookies and Maguire, Europe yielded eight and a half points. America’s three captain’s picks contributed only five.
Nordqvist defended sending out two rookies in the first round. “When I send out Nastasia and Mimi a lot of people questioned why would you send out two rookies, but I said why not. And they delivered.”
The Rally From Behind
The tournament started slowly for Europe. After a winless two days, there was enormous pressure on Hull and Woad. Hull barely missed a shot in an impressive 3&2 win over Megan Khang, even though she still could not buy a birdie putt on the slow greens.
Woad was equally strong in her decisive role at the end. Her spectacular start to her pro career continued through the Solheim.
What Comes Next
In 2028, the Solheim Cup returns to Valhalla. Europe will be defending the trophy, and Woad, Nadaud, Lopez Ramirez and Rhodes look like the nucleus of that effort. There are no guarantees in golf, but this group appears ready.
America will need to find something similar from their recent victorious Curtis Cup team. Remarkably, that is the only one of the transatlantic trophies now in US hands, as the Solheim joins the Ryder and Walker Cups on this side of the pond.
The Bond That Carries Them
The Solheim Cup has a way of seeping into the bones of its players. Carlotta Ciganda, the veteran Spaniard who drives everyone mad with her glacial pace, sums it up best.
“I just love it,” she said.
Mel Reid, assistant captain, described how the team rallied after a disappointing Saturday evening when Jennifer Kupcho’s heroics forced a share of the foursomes and fourball spoils. “We were on the team bus, I said a few words,” she said. “The team bus is a special place for Team Europe. We put the music on and it’s a special place. I’m just glad there are no cameras there.”
The team put on a song at the hotel, and Reid felt it changed the mood. “We just forgot what happened, the disappointment, and we just got back on it.”
Key Facts Box
- Score: Europe 15-13 over America
- Venue: Bernardus Golf
- Winning putt: Sunk by Lottie Woad over Auston Kim
- Rookie points total: 8.5 (combined with Leona Maguire)
- Debut qualifiers: 4 (Nadaud, Lopez Ramirez, Rhodes, Woad)
- Captain’s picks: Three, including Leona Maguire
Nordqvist believed in her rookies, and they proved her right.