Carlota Ciganda Finds Extra Gear as Solheim Cup Brings Out Her Best
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Carlota Ciganda may not have the kind of individual career record that usually puts fear into opponents, but the Solheim Cup brings out a completely different side of the Spanish golfer.
The 36-year-old has three LPGA Tour victories across a 15-season career, along with eight wins on the Ladies European Tour. She has also played 74 major championships without finishing first or second.
Her 2026 major season was particularly difficult, as she missed the cut in four of the five events.
Yet when Ciganda puts on Europe’s blue and gold and faces the United States in the Solheim Cup, her performance and mindset change dramatically.
Ciganda Delivers the Decisive Point
Ciganda played a key role in Europe’s 15-13 victory in the Netherlands, securing the final point in the singles matches by defeating Jennifer Kupcho.
After the victory, Ciganda made no secret of how much she enjoys the rivalry.
“I love beating the Americans,” she said.
Her attitude reflects the competitive spirit that has long been associated with the Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. For many European players, the opportunity to compete for their team creates a different level of motivation compared with individual tournaments.
Playing for Something Bigger
Ciganda believes representing Europe allows her to focus on something beyond her own results.
“Just winning for Team Europe, it’s the best feeling,” she said. “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.”
That team environment appears to bring out some of the best golf of her career.
While Ciganda has not collected a major championship title, her Solheim Cup performances have established her as an important figure for Europe in the biennial competition.
The Intensity of the Rivalry
The strong emotions surrounding the Solheim Cup are not new. European players have often spoken about the special motivation that comes from facing the United States in a team competition.
Similar feelings have been present in the Ryder Cup, where players from both sides have described the intense competitive nature of the event.
The rivalry is generally about sporting competition rather than personal differences. For Ciganda, however, beating the United States while representing Europe carries a special significance.
Questions for the American Team
The United States will now face plenty of analysis following its narrow defeat.
As is common after a loss in a major team competition, questions will likely focus on selections, pairings, lineups and strategy.
However, the American team’s defeat cannot necessarily be explained by a single decision or statistical issue. Europe’s ability to produce strong performances in crucial moments was also an important part of the final result.
For Ciganda, the victory was another reminder that the Solheim Cup can bring out a level of intensity and focus that is difficult to replicate in individual competition.
