Dame Laura Davies believes a significant breakthrough for Charley Hull “has to happen” after her spectacular Solheim Cup efficiency and dominant victory over world No 1 Nelly Korda.
The Englishwoman partnered rookie Esther Henseleit to a final-hole victory within the Saturday foursomes and likewise teamed up with shut buddy Georgia Corridor that day to win her fourballs match, lowering Europe’s deficit to 10-6 heading into the Sunday singles.
Hull demolished Korda 6&4 within the prime match to present Suzann Pettersen’s aspect a dream begin to the ultimate day, the place Europe threatened a historic victory earlier than Crew USA held on for a 15.5-12.5 win and first Solheim Cup success since 2017.
The world No 12 completed as Europe’s prime scorer with three factors from 5 matches and Davies, who served as vice-captain, was impressed with Hull’s show, believing she has the sport to problem for main success within the years forward.
“I can’t believe she’s not already [a major champion], as she’s so talented,” Davies advised Sky Sports activities Information. “It isn’t simple to win main championships, everyone knows that, however that is what we might hope for her as a result of she’s that good.
“She simply must win extra tournaments and get herself into rivalry extra. I do know she’s up there a good bit and he or she has a number of shut calls in majors, the US Girls’s Open and the AIG Girls’s Open final yr, however you’re feeling it has to occur in some unspecified time in the future.
“She has been very good this week. She turned up, she has been nice enjoyable and has been maintaining us all entertained, however then she produced on the course as nicely – you’ll be able to’t ask for extra as a team-mate than that.
Hull received three factors from her 5 matches for Crew Europe on the 2024 Solheim Cup
“We knew Nelly was going as No 1 and we had no qualms about putting Charley out first. You can’t intimidate Nelly as world No 1, but we thought she was the one who could put a little bit of pressure on she didn’t want.
“Charley did that. Her shot making was very good and the way in which she completed off her match on the 14th was simply magnificent.”
Davies: Europe scared USA!
Europe misplaced each classes on the opening day and remained 4 behind heading into the Sunday singles, the place they received 5 and halved three of their matches however fell narrowly quick of their bid to retain the trophy for a fourth consecutive time.
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Highlights of the ultimate day from the Solheim Cup as Crew USA secured a 15.5-12.5 victory over Europe in Virginia
“I think it was a tale of two halves,” Davies added. “We got off to such a poor start again, 6-2 down, so then we had to tailor our pairings to that scoreline.
“We had been behind however then what a comeback within the singles, the place the ladies confirmed how good they’re. For probably the most half there, we had been proper there, then Lilia Vu put the ultimate nail in our coffin with the lengthy putt on 17 and hitting it so shut on 18.
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World No 2 Lilia Vu birdied the 18th gap to assert a half level that secured Crew USA the Solheim Cup
“We scared them and that’s all we wanted to do. We knew it was a hard task, but for a good half hour, 45 minutes out there with Linn [Grant]’s group I was thinking ‘if Linn wins we could win this’.
“Their [United States] basic play was completely very good. The actual fact we had been making an attempt to catch up these 4 factors from Friday and we bought as shut as we did, contemplating how nicely they had been enjoying, simply confirmed how nicely we performed as nicely. Hats off to them, they deserved it.”
Who will be Europe’s next captain?
Davies has once again ruled herself out of consideration to be Europe’s next captain, while Pettersen said that was “the top of my time period so far as I do know” in her press convention after defeat on Sunday.
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Crew Europe captain Suzann Pettersen praised the efforts of her aspect throughout the Solheim Cup and instructed there have been quite a lot of small victories for her group regardless of lacking out on retaining the trophy
Pettersen was a back-to-back captain, following on from Catriona Matthew holding the function for successive victories in 2019 and 2021, with Davies backing Mel Reid and Anna Nordqvist – each vice-captains this time round – as potential contenders for the 2026 contest.
“I genuinely don’t know, but if I was putting a couple of names forward then they would certainly be the two,” Davies added. “They’ve each seen how Suzann does it and you may decide up so much out of your previous captains.
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Have a look by way of the archives at among the finest pictures ever posted by Hull throughout her prolonged Solheim Cup profession
“Anna’s so good still and Mel’s not playing her best at the moment but could easily turn it around and become a player, although I think if they commit to being captain then I don’t think you can ever be a playing captain.
“I do know Keegan Bradley desires to have a go together with the Ryder Cup however that will be a tricky process. They must quit on their desires of enjoying once more, however we’ll see who comes out.”
The Netherlands hosts the next Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt from September 11-13, 2026. Watch the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour this season live on Sky Sports. Stream the LPGA Tour, Women European Tour and extra sport with NOW.
