Carlota Ciganda Delivers Fiery Solheim Cup Performance with Ruthless Victory Speech

Tick. Tick. Tick.

That feeling is always present for Carlota Ciganda, she explains. It always has been. Because, well…

“Yeah, I mean I think Spanish people, we are very passionate,” Ciganda said, “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.”

That intensity has shown especially at the Solheim Cup. A team event within an individual sport. Eleven teammates. Dozens of rivals. Your colors versus theirs. May the best women win.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

“I mean, I love this week,” Ciganda said. “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, 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.”

Leading into last week’s Solheim Cup, Ciganda had been a constant presence for the Americans — a (Car)lot(a)? — appearing in seven consecutive tournaments with a record of 12-11-4, including four cup victories. In 2023, at home in Spain, she secured the point that retained the Cup for Team Europe.

Then came what unfolded at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Last Friday afternoon, she somehow managed a par on the 18th hole, securing a halved point with fellow Spaniard Julia Lopez Ramirez in their four-ball match against Americans Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin. The teams finished Day One tied at four points each. On the par-4, Ciganda missed right off the tee and right with her approach, only to pitch to about 10 feet and convert the putt for par. A putter drop followed.

“I love this week,” Ciganda told Golf Channel afterward. “I just love playing for the team, for my teammates. Anna [Captain Anna Nordqvist] is a good friend of mine, so I just want to win for her. I’ve been playing alongside Julia, my good Spanish friend. It’s been amazing.

“We faced a tough match against Nelly and Lauren, very consistent players, but we fought hard and at least we got half a point, which I think is really important.”

On Saturday, Ciganda competed once. She and Celine Boutier faced Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Lindy Duncan in the final four-ball match of the day. The Europeans held a two-up lead after 14 holes before the Americans claimed the 15th.

Then, on 17, Kupcho sank a 90-foot putt. A 90-freaking footer. And suddenly they were tied. And they were freaking tied.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Those on site could hear Kupcho, playing alongside Ciganda, shouting in Spanish. “Vamos! Let’s go!”

Tick. Tick. Tick.

On 18, Kupcho made a 25-footer to win the hole and the match. The Americans and Europeans were once again deadlocked.

Tick.

Saturday night, videos also emerged of the Americans enjoying Heinekens on the team bus.

Tick.

But Sunday, Nordqvist named Ciganda in the penultimate group for singles play. Her opponent? U.S. Captain Angela Stanford’s wildcard pick.

Kupcho.

Boom.

Ciganda won the second hole. And the third. And the fourth. And the fifth. She closed out the match on 16, winning 4 and 2. It was the deciding point in the Europeans’ 15-13 victory.

Afterward, Ciganda gave voice to what had been building throughout the week — delivering one of the Solheim Cup’s greatest quotes, and perhaps its most ruthless.

“I was really happy to see that I was playing against Kupcho,” she said. “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.”

Booooom.

“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,” Ciganda continued. “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 makes 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.”

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