THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the winning European Solheim Cup team. Anna, congratulations. How proud do you feel of this team?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Thank you. I am so proud of this team. We had a great week from start to finish. And I spoke about it in opening ceremony. My main goal this week was if everyone can leave Sunday knowing that we've all done our best, but you're going to have lifelong friendship and memories from this event, I think we succeeded. And I think we surpassed all of that already. So I'm really proud of these girls and it was a blast standing on the first tee today seeing that everyone just showed up with a great attitude ready to fight until the end today.
THE MODERATOR: One more question then we're going to throw it to the floor. How was it to have all your family with you to be able to celebrate this moment together?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, it's been amazing. They have been part of my journey all the way. This is the one tournament I've been able to share with them. All the kids got to skip school this week. I think half of them are sick because they're not allowed to miss. So hopefully, they haven't been on TV too much.
But, no, it means so much. Both my brothers were crying, my mom was crying. But just seeing my nieces and nephews. And my brother asked them the other day, What was the highlight of this week? And they said walking out on the first tee with me. So, yeah, it really means a lot.
THE MODERATOR: Any questions?
Q. Anna, a lot of your players really performed today with some of the ones that maybe hadn't contributed as much as they wanted with Charley and Lottie only having half a point and Julia being benched all day yesterday and Nanna also. What did it mean to see those people, of all people, really bringing it home today?
ANNA NORDQVIST: So we were looking at the stats yesterday to see the players that had made the most birdies in the first couple days, and top four players, we had Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull, and Lottie Woad. So what most people don't understand is we're playing -- the best golfers in the world are competing in these two days, and Lottie and Charley played really good golf and they just had better -- the U.S. just played a little bit better.
So there was no doubt putting out Charley first. Being the leader of this team, we knew she was going to deliver. It was blue on the board early. Lottie's been very steady this week. It was nice to see her finally hole some putts and seeing her make the winning point.
Nanna came out really hot today. It was nice to see her smiling. Her and the other three girls that sat out yesterday afternoon, they came to the first tee. They were the ones in the grandstand laughing and cheering and they were really good teammates. And if we look back at the week, that's one of the moments I'm going to remember most because that's what a good teammate is to me.
Q. Mel, many teams after the sort of double punch that they took last evening would have been pretty down. Could you take me maybe to a turning point -- I'm guessing it might have been on the team bus going back to the hotel or maybe something else -- where the team sort of got back together and rebounded?
MEL REID: Yeah, look -- sorry, my voice is gone. It's lucky don't need it for my job (laughing).
Listen, they had their moment yesterday afternoon, absolutely. I mean, the way that Jen Kupcho finished that it's unbelievable. That's the beauty of match play. But we had our moment on Saturday -- or sorry, Friday afternoon when Ciggy made the most incredible up-and-down I've ever seen in my life to get a half point.
Look, we were on the team bus -- the skipper had to do some press. We were on the team bus. I said a few words. Nobody could hear me, which I think was great. 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's no cameras there.
But we got to the hotel and we put on a song, and I don't know what it was, I just felt like it just changed the mood and united us. It was, like, weird. Like, we all just became -- we just forgot what happened, like, the disappointment, and we just got back on it. Got back on it again. Anna then came back, said something, a couple of us said something. I don't know what it was this morning. Me and Anna were talking. Like, not one of us needed to speak to any player, really. They just kind of knew a what their job was today in a very calm, passionate, and fierce way. The horses are ready, just let them go, and they delivered.
Q. Does anyone know what that song was?
MEL REID: Sweet Caroline, obviously.
Q. Carlota, what happened yesterday evening -- what was the one moment that was the most motivation for you coming out today? And then what is the feeling to be able to get revenge like you did?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: I was really happy to see that I was playing against Kupcho. She's a fighter, I'm a fighter, and I told her, Look, great playing. I mean, even yesterday what she did was amazing on 17 and 18. But today I knew she had no chance. I was like, I want to kill you.
So I had it very clear in my mind, and I was, like, I'm just going to do this for the team, for Anna, for all the captains. I mean, it's been an amazing week. But yeah, this week, I just love it. I think playing for something bigger than yourself, it's very special, and it's been a very special group, great team. I think this week just make friendships forever and I'm just so happy for everyone on Team Europe. We've been a team, and I think Anna has done an amazing job and just very happy. I'm very proud of all of them.
Q. The fans have been really, really great out there. They have been so creative with their songs on the first tee. Is there one that you guys agree is the best song for any player who wants to take that one.
(Singing Carlota Ciganda song.)
ANNA NORDQVIST: I like "ole, ole, ole." I like that one. There was a new one this year, the one for Nastasia making birdies. I thought that was very creative.
Q. For Julia, your take on the fans and what they did for you guys today and over the week.
JULIA LOPEZ RAMIREZ: No, I mean, I think it's unbelievable that we have the crowd that we do. And honestly, having them -- they have our backs out there and, like, no matter what, like, they're always cheering for you. I was talking to my caddie and I was saying, It's great that I'm playing my first Solheim Cup in Europe because having the crowd with you, it's an absolutely amazing feeling and being able to turn around and put your hands up, and they're, like, cheering you up. I think that's one of the things that I don't -- I can't put it to words. It's unbelievable having a crowd behind you and they have your back no matter what.
Q. Anne, I'm curious what your expectations were for a Solheim Cup in your home country and kind of how the fans and the atmosphere either met exceeded or fell short of those expectations and your reaction to a pretty monumental week here.
ANNE VAN DAM: Yeah, I had no idea how special it is for the Netherlands to have such an amazing huge venue. Probably maybe never have something like this again. So I think for me, congratulations to everyone from the Federation to everyone from the Dutch media. I mean, for them, it was just a huge enjoyable week. They deserve it. They worked very hard. And seeing their smiles on their faces was -- I've known these people since I'm 13, 14 years old, so it's super fun looking left and right people that I've known growing up. It's been amazing.
I mean, what a venue this was at Bernardus. I think this course was an insane match playing course. It probably looked fantastic on TV. I know every single player loved playing here. For me, cheering on was, I think, the best thing I could have ever asked for. I mean, these players, they played amazing. Like, me and Mel, we don't have a voice because we just loved cheering these girls on. We got this crowd up. And like I said, everywhere I looked left and right I saw people that I knew. And I hope, you know, there's maybe one or two new young Anne van Dams out there that see this week and pick up the club and it's, like, you know, I want to be on this stage.
So I think for all of Dutch people, it was an amazing week. Thank you to Robert van der Wallen and Bernardus for putting on this amazing show. It was the best -- I think the best showcase of women's golf we have seen in a long time. I mean, both teams played incredibly well. So, yeah, I cannot look back at a more better venue.
Q. Lottie, regarding the clenching putt, I would love to know is that a scenario that you had pictured before as being possible and what was it like living out that experience of clinching the Solheim Cup?
LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, I think being number 8, I think I was, it does usually come down to around that end, so I knew it was definitely a possibility. I looked at the scoreboard after 16 and kind of miscounted, so I didn't know it was actually for the win. I knew I needed to win. So I holed it for like, Oh, we'll just celebrate like I won my match. And I said, Did we win? So I didn't really know so it felt longer than it was the putt, yeah.
Q. Maja and Linn, about your partnership, what's it been like playing together this week and sharing the experience as Swedes representing Team Europe?
LINN GRANT: I think we've just had a blast on the course, to be honest. Very happy that Maja and I got to play together. So thanks, Anna. It's just been so much fun and I don't think -- like, honestly, that's, like, how just I would put it. Like, we only had fun. Like, there's been really no pressure and I think that's why we also just played so well this week. We just cheered each other one and had a great time.
MAJA STARK: Yeah, it was honestly just so special, and it felt like for Anna, it was a no-brainer to put us together, and that is a really cool feeling that you have a person like this on your team that you know you can just go out and you know them inside and out and their game.
Q. Julia, my question is for you. I overheard you on the 17th green say that you were getting an alert that your stress was really high. I was curious if that adrenaline drove you this week and has it come down yet?
JULIA LOPEZ RAMIREZ: No, I don't think it's coming down yet. Yeah, it's been crazy, I mean, breaking the Whoop of all the strain that I've been getting. It's crazy because I don't think I feel like I was that stressed, but obviously, the first tee, the dancing on first tee, the celebrating, the running from one hole to the other, I think this creates a lot of the adrenaline coming out. And, yeah, I think I probably am going to reach a record this week, to be honest.
Q. Linn, had you ever played a match in which your competitor came out shooting t-shirts into the crowd with an airgun? And then secondly, did what happen the first two days with Charley and Lottie going up against just amazing performances on the other side, did that galvanize everybody else in a way to maybe up your game because they were going up against some pretty formidable opponents?
LINN GRANT: I think, first off, shooting t-shirts into the crowd is what only happens at a Solheim Cup. It's part of it. There's a lot of fun that goes on, which is a really fun part of the week. I think for Lottie and Charley, I mean, as a player on their team, it just feels good that if they walk off and they feel like they tried their best, tried their hardest, had a great game. You know, you never know how your opponent's going to play. You just have to be prepared that they play their best game and you have to play your best game too. I feel like they played really good golf all week, and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That's just how it is.
CHARLEY HULL: We did win one match. That was in the practice against you and Maja.
LINN GRANT: I was keeping that down.
Q. Anna, I know you celebrated your career swan song at the Evian Championship, but you seemed to have had a magical moment here at Bernardus. What does it mean to ride off into the sunset with a Solheim Cup in hand?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, it's been a little bit busy the last year, I'm not going to lie. But if you sit here and you see these 12 girls and sitting here with vice captains that I've known since I was 14 or 15 years old, you're very proud. It's probably going to take a few days to hit me because it's just been so busy. But we're going to have a good time tonight and I think everyone deserved it. It's been such a long week. But everyone just showed up as stars all week. They have been great teammates and I'm just really proud of this team and being able to captain it.
Q. Charley, what was your mindset heading into the day after things hadn't gone your way the previous two days and what did it mean to you to get called on to head out there first today and to set the tone?
CHARLEY HULL: I just told myself just play like I did the last two days, because tee to green I was playing really well. I was hitting good putts and they just wasn't dropping. And I played really good again tee to green and they still wasn't really dropping today, probably saving them all for the next Solheim Cup. But, yeah, it was a good fun to go out there and play with Megan and then also get the first point on the board and then it kind of feeds for the team then. And so, yeah, it's just great fun and Anna was a great captain. She's been an awesome captain and I just think the whole week has just been really, really enjoyable.
Q. Anna, you have a few experienced players, but you also have four rookies on the team, were you surprised in any way by the way they performed in today's singles?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Not at all because I've been able to play alongside these girls in the last year or two. Nastasia, I got to play with only at the Scottish and I was so impressed with her game. So many people said it was a bit of a risk having four rookies, but I also, I was so impressed with them. And what people don't understand is they all, they're so good when they come out these now on tour these days. And it's, they just play fearless and they have so much personality. I mean, all of the four I had, I never felt like they were rookies. And the first day 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. So and today too. Great, I mean, Mimi took Nelly down to 15. I mean, she's the No. 1 player in the world, and she pushed her. So just really proud of all he have them. Rookie Lottie making the winning putt, so 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.
Q. Carlota, you played a vital role on the team a few years ago you also played a vital roll here. Does the Solheim Cup bring out the best in you?
CARLOTA CIGANDA: I think so, yeah. I mean, I love this week. As I said, I love playing for the team, for my teammates, for everyone here. Yeah, I just don't know what happened, but I just love it. I mean, I love beating the Americans. And then, yeah, I just winning for Team Europe, it's the best feeling. And I think, yeah, playing for something bigger than yourself I guess my mind gets to be very focused and I love this week. This is why I play golf.
Q. It's kind of a Spanish habit.
CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, I mean I think Spanish people, we are very passionate, lots of heart, lots of fight, and that's what I tried to do. And you guys can see it, I mean, how crazy I go, and when I make some of those putts I just can't help it, that's just me in the Solheim Cup.
Q. Caroline, you've known Anna for a long time. How would you describe the hallmarks of her captaincy?
CAROLINE HEDWALL: No, I think she's just been great. We've known each other for -- she hates it when I say 20 plus years but that's actually the truth. But, yeah, no I think she's been awesome. One part of me really would have wanted to play for her as well. But I'm just really honored to be by her side now as a vice captain and she's been awesome. I think every player here have felt like they have been seen and she's been very transparent and I think they just felt really comfortable playing for her and knew that she trusted their game. And I think that's been key.
Q. Anna, would you do this again if asked?
ANNA NORDQVIST: (Laughing). No, I'm retiring tomorrow. You're never going to say never but, yeah, I just need a little bit of time off. But I don't know what my future holds. Obviously just retired from playing two weeks ago. It was hard at times this week to not hit a shot, but it's really nice and rewarding to see that there's so many other ways in golf you can stay involved and kind of get the same feeling. I mean it's sometimes it's even more nerve wracking watching these girls, and but then you see how good they are and you just become really impressed. So hopefully, yeah, I can stay involved in golf in one way or another. But I'm going to enjoy a little bit of time off in the next couple weeks and hopefully catch up a little bit of rest, because there hasn't been much lately.
Q. Captain Stanford was in here earlier and mentioned that she thought that the green speeds were slower than what they were expecting coming into the event. Was that a strategy element from Team Europe, if you guys had a say in those green speeds in any way, and if that, if the statistics supported that Europe would be better on slower greens at all?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Who said that?
Q. Angela did.
ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, okay. So, I mean, we're in Europe and in September. We know how the weather can be. I know how hard Neil and the course staff, I never seen a golf club in Europe in the world have such a large staff that he has. And even having feminine members of it. We worked really hard. I always said going into this week we would try to showcase women's golf. I'm not sure I believe a lot in setting up a way to fit Europe because these girls play the same golf courses week-in and week-out competing. So going in, I mean, we came here in July, it was, as we know, it was a very hot and dry summer, so the course played a little bit different then. And then we almost we just were trying to make sure that the greens didn't get too firm at the time because there were some holes in the wind it was hard to hold. So if anything it was just really trying to manage firmness. But then it's obviously been raining a lot in the past couple weeks and then this week we saw a lot of rain. So if anything they were probably just playing a little bit softer than we all thought coming here. But that's obviously the weather, we can't control that. But it's such an amazing course, such an amazing venue. I was really it was really cool to see the way we started up that we started on the normal third hole, I thought that was a really great setup. I never seen a sponsor village this big. But how everything kind of finished at 15, 16, 17, I don't think we could have asked for a better fan experience. So, yeah, greens might have been a little bit slower, but it was nothing we really could control. But I felt this course looked amazing and TV and I know it played really well, even though I didn't hit a single shot, but I didn't have to because I had 12 amazing players.
Q. Lottie, going into this is your first Solheim Cup, were you going into the week expecting to play all five matches and what were your nerves like going on to the first tee on Friday morning?
ANNA NORDQVIST: I mean, I don't think you can expect to play five. I don't think anyone can. It depends on how you play and fitness and stuff like that. But, yeah, I knew I was going to play obviously a big part and trusted everything that Anna said. If she wanted me to play five, then I would play five, and that's what happened. Yeah, the first tee was incredible. Got to hit our first tee shot on Friday and was very nervous over the golf ball. Lucky that hole was probably one of the widest on the course, it all kind of feeds back into the fairway. And then on Saturday afternoon I hit with the crowd going, which was really cool. And, yeah, that was a really fun moment.
Q. I feel like this one's for Mel, but she may not have any voice left. What's the rest of the night look like, what celebrations are planned, how crazy will it get?
MEL REID: I'm very excited to have my first drink of the week, so (laughing). Listen, we sent a message last night, I think it's very important that we already felt like we had won this week because of the experience that everybody has had. Obviously this is the icing on the cake and I wanted it for all these players. Obviously wanted it for Anna, the staff, and everyone that's put work into it. But, I mean, we had already won at the start of the week with the bond that we had. Obviously we love beating the Americans and this is what we are here for, so I may have a couple of drinky poos tonight. And a little dance with Leona. What's that called the little pet? They have them in the players lounge. Security animal. What's it called? I'm tired. (Laughing).
Q. Mimi and Nastasia, talk about the trust that you guys got from Captain Anna going out in those two matches and then putting two points on the board.
MIMI RHODES: Yeah, I mean, so far Anna's been really transparent with us and she's been honest about our games and she knew that me and Nas got along really well and that our game really gelled together. So yeah, I mean we just went out there and had fun and happened to win the first match. So then trusted her to send us out again on Friday, wasn't expecting it, but we knew that our friendship and our golf game was just going really well on Friday, so yeah, and the support out there, we got the crowds going and we were just so comfortable with each other.
NASTASIA NADAUD: Yeah, exactly as she said. I'm really good friends outside the golf course anyway. So we already had a really good atmosphere between us. And, yeah, played really good Friday afternoon and we played on Saturday morning and it wasn't really what we expected, but turned out it was a really good Saturday morning for us as well and yeah, the crowds were amazing.
THE MODERATOR: All right, thank you so much for coming in, have a great evening. Enjoy your celebration.
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