Anna Nordqvist explains the big difference between European and U.S. Solheim Cup fans
LPGA, Golf Damen Tour Event: Ford Championship Anna Nordqvist birdies on hole 4 during the LPGA Ford Championship third round at Whirlwind Golf Club, Saturday March 28, 2026, in Chandler, Arizona. Thomas Fernandez / Image of Chandler Arizona United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xThomasxFernandezxPhotographyx ThomasxFernandezx iosphotos403475
LPGA, Golf Damen Tour Event: Ford Championship Anna Nordqvist birdies on hole 4 during the LPGA Ford Championship third round at Whirlwind Golf Club, Saturday March 28, 2026, in Chandler, Arizona. Thomas Fernandez / Image of Chandler Arizona United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xThomasxFernandezxPhotographyx ThomasxFernandezx iosphotos403475
US crowds boo European golfers, whereas European crowds clap for everyone. Team Europe Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist just wants women’s golf to win, as she pointed out the stark difference between the two crowds.
Just days after her sudden retirement, Nordqvist will head to Bernardus as the European Team captain for the first time. However, she did not forget the reception she received on American soil.
“It's a lot more fun that you actually get some claps for good shots,” Nordqvist said. “I mean, there's so many times I feel like golf is not winning because it's either booing, or you know, I've hit shots and I remember at Inverness, we didn't have any supporters there.”
LPGA, Golf Damen Tour Event: Ford Championship Anna Nordqvist reads her putt on hole 1 during the LPGA Ford Championship third round at Whirlwind Golf Club, Saturday March 28, 2026, in Chandler, Arizona. Thomas Fernandez / Image of Chandler Arizona United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xThomasxFernandezxPhotographyx ThomasxFernandezx iosphotos403477
LPGA, Golf Damen Tour Event: Ford Championship Anna Nordqvist reads her putt on hole 1 during the LPGA Ford Championship third round at Whirlwind Golf Club, Saturday March 28, 2026, in Chandler, Arizona. Thomas Fernandez / Image of Chandler Arizona United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xThomasxFernandezxPhotographyx ThomasxFernandezx iosphotos403477
Back at the 2021 Solheim Cup at Inverness Club in Ohio, Nordqvist squared up against USA's Lexi Thompson in the opening match of Sunday's singles. The Swede revealed the selective applause of the US crowd.
Thompson's shots drew cheers while Nordqvist's were met with silence or boos.
As Team Europe looks to reclaim the title, the women’s golf icon applauded her home crowd.
“I feel like in Europe it's just nice to, like, you know, if you do something well or if the Americans do something well, like, you clap,” Nordqvist told GolfMagic's Georgina Black.
Nordqvist very well knew that patriotism plays a part in the difference in support. However, for the three-time major winner, the rise of women’s golf should be the priority.
In fact, the European captain will cherish having the support of the home crowd this week.
Home advantage: how European crowds will shape the Solheim Cup
Anna Nordqvist expects home-crowd advantage to energize her team in the Netherlands.
“It's going to be really cool to have the crowds on your side," Nordqvist added in the same interview. "And you're going to have a lot of spectators there cheering for you because it's definitely going to be a different feeling.”
More importantly, Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Germany's Esther Henseleit, who will be playing their first Solheim Cup on home soil, will experience the immense support of the Bernadus crowd.
Having won five Solheim Cups already, Nordqvist will look to lead her team to victory in her first stint as a captain.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar