BERNARDUS — Anna Nordqvist has backed Charley Hull to lead Europe into Sunday singles at the Solheim Cup, sending the Brit out first against Megan Khang despite a difficult week at Bernardus. The 30-year-old, the second highest-ranked player on the European side and world No. 8 after three top-10 finishes in five majors this season, has delivered just half a point alongside Lottie Woad across all four sessions over the first two days in the Netherlands, with the cup poised heading into the final 12 matches.
"Yeah, I mean, Charley started us out in Washington," Nordqvist said. "Charley's been great, playing great for the last two days. She really hasn't holed any putts. I watched her match today, this afternoon, for quite a few holes, and I mean, she's right there where she needs to be. But it's just that little bit of momentum that we all know is so important in the matches. So I have full confidence in her going out tomorrow, and I don't think she really has anything to prove because we know all of what a great player she is."
Hull and Woad have struggled to build momentum despite solid ball-striking, with longer putts often only tying holes or rendered irrelevant by mistakes. Nordqvist said the pair are playing better than results suggest, pointing to high-level scoring on both sides. "I think a lot of it is just for them to keep doing what they have been doing. Lottie's been hitting it great. I think she was six or seven-under par in the best ball yesterday afternoon and they got beat. I mean, this morning the Americans played great, I think they were seven-under after 11 holes," she said. "We're playing the best players in the world from both teams, so it's going to be some tough matches, going to be a lot of good golf not being rewarded."
"So I think they're doing everything they can, or, everything right, but they just haven't really holed those momentum putts this week. So I have full trust and confidence in them and they have both been playing really solid this week, so I'm looking forward to see them play tomorrow," Nordqvist added. She noted match play often turns on a single putt, a bounce or a swing in momentum.
Nordqvist's decision to keep Hull and Woad together for all four sessions was a gamble that has drawn scrutiny, especially after Saturday morning showed they were still not firing. Mimi Rhodes and Esther Henseleit both won their two matches across the first three sessions, leaving some European fans questioning why they were not used again Saturday afternoon. With the Americans now holding momentum, Europe will need Hull to deliver from the top of the order on Sunday.