How youth helped Nordqvist answer critics and deliver Solheim Cup win

Anna Nordqvist spoke in the build-up to the Solheim Cup about the European team being in a period of transition as she chose a line-up with four debutants.

Any fears about fielding rookies for the most pressure packed event in the women's game were proven unfounded in her team's thrilling 15-13 victory at Bernardus Golf last weekend.

Nastasia Nadaud (21), Julia Lopez Ramirez (23), Mimi Rhodes (24) and, eventually, Lottie Woad all delivered crucial points and gave an encouraging glimpse into Europe's future.

Three of the quartet were captain's picks, with the 22-year-old Woad the only debut automatic qualifier for the team that avenged defeat in Virginia two years ago.

"So many people said it was a bit of a risk having four rookies, but I was so impressed with them," Nordqvist said.

Europe's skipper faced intense scrutiny throughout her captaincy, especially over her stubborn faith in Woad's partnership with fellow Englishwoman Charley Hull.

But she was ultimately vindicated, especially with her wildcard selections, which also included relative veteran Leona Maguire.

Between them they yielded eight and a half points, compared with five contributed by America's three captain's picks. Nordqvist's singles line-up also leant heavily on a willingness to trust in youth.

Of the youngsters tasting Solheim singles action for the first time only Rhodes failed to win and it took a brilliant performance from world number one Nelly Korda to beat her on the final day.

And the beaten Englishwoman had already contributed significantly alongside Nadaud with Friday fourball and Saturday foursomes wins that helped ensure 8-8 parity after the first two days.

In the singles Rhodes was sent out fourth, but it was positions six, seven and eight - Nadaud, Lopez Ramirez and Woad - that held so much significance to the final outcome.

All three delivered vital wins. "What people don't understand is they're so good when they come out on tour these days," Nordqvist said. "They just play fearless and they have so much personality.

"All of the four I had, I never felt like they were rookies. And the first day 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.

"They delivered again on Saturday morning. And Sunday too. Mimi took Nelly down to 15. She's the number one player in the world, and she pushed her.

"Rookie Lottie making the winning putt. It's been really fun to have them and they bring out a fresh perspective.

"And I feel really old and I'm glad I'm retiring now because these girls are just so good."

It fell to Woad to sink the putt that ensured Europe would win, with four matches still to be completed. Her 2&1 triumph over Auston Kim took Europe to 14 points with Carlotta Ciganda already unassailably three up on the 16th tee.

Europe were guaranteed to reach the magic number of 14½ points and there was nothing America could do about it. It should be noted, this was not a great US side with Korda, Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin being head and shoulders above the rest.

Nordqvist's persistent faith in Woad and Hull, playing her two highest ranked players together in the four opening sessions seemed a folly. She insisted stats justified the call, but the partnership never gelled, yielding only half a point.

It was all the more jarring because elsewhere Nordqvist had unmistakably fostered that famed European spirit which so often permeates through Solheim and Ryder Cup successes.

It was crucial in overcoming Jennifer Kupcho's hammer blow long range birdies late on the Saturday evening that allowed the United States to force an unlikely share of the foursomes and fourball spoils.

All the momentum was with the visitors on the Saturday night, but it was soon washed away as the rain drenched Sunday singles began.

"We were on the team bus, I said a few words," said assistant captain Mel Reid of the aftermath of Kupcho's heroics. "The team bus is a special place for Team Europe.

"I think it's where we really unite, we really get together. We put the music on and it's a special place. I'm just glad there are no cameras there.

"But we got to the hotel and we put on a song, and I felt like it changed the mood and united us. It was weird.

"We just forgot what happened, the disappointment, and we just got back on it."

After a winless two days there was enormous pressure on Hull and Woad and the former barely missed a shot in an impressive 3&2 win over the tenacious Megan Khang.

The Englishwoman still could not buy a birdie putt on the slow greens but she never gave her opponent a sniff. Woad was equally strong and her decisive role at the end was in keeping with the spectacular start to her pro career.

There are no guarantees in golf, but in Woad, Nadaud, Lopez Ramirez and Rhodes Europe appear to have an exciting nucleus for the trophy defence at Valhalla in 2028.

America need to find something similar, maybe from their recent victorious Curtis Cup team. And, remarkably, that is the only one of the transatlantic trophies that now resides in US hands as the Solheim joins the Ryder and Walker Cups on this side of the pond.

In the Solheim, Europe's newcomers have soaked up the continent's unique bond. It has seeped into their bones and is best summed up by the irrepressible old stager Ciganda.

She might drive you mad with her glacial pace of play, but the veteran Spaniard knows as well as anyone what, for Europe, the Solheim Cup is all about.

"I just love it," Ciganda said. "I love beating the Americans. Yeah, winning for Team Europe, it's the best feeling."