Looking to end Europe’s streak of retaining three consecutive Solheim Cups, it was the perfect day for America on the first day of this year’s competition.
Dominating from the off, Stacey Lewis’s team finds themselves in an exceptionally strong position after the first day of foursomes and fourballs, leading their European rivals by 6-2.
Despite their strong start, this year’s Solheim Cup is by no means over and with there still being plenty of golf left to play, the Americans will need to maintain their concentration as they try to distance themselves even further from their rivals.
With a further eight points up for grabs, here are the first day’s main talking points.
American stars come out to play
Positioned as the overwhelming favourites by bookmakers before a ball had been hit, America boast three players inside the top ten of the world rankings including world number 1 Nelly Korda and world number 2 Lilia Vu.
Unlike their male counterparts at last year’s Ryder Cup, America’s star women were keen to assert their dominance right from the off.
Having made history earlier this year by winning six LPGA events in just eight weeks, Captain Lewis decided to send out Nelly Korda in the competition’s first match. Partnering former US Open Champion Alisen Corpuz, the best player in the women’s game showed exactly why she is at the top of the rankings as her impeccable ball striking and clutch putting was far too much for the European duo of Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit to handle.
Things would get even better for Korda in the afternoon fourballs. Showing that she was completely at ease within her surroundings, Korda produced some of the best golf of the day as alongside Meghan Kang, the two routed the pair of Georgia Hull and Leona Maguire, 6&5 to land the Americans another crucial point.
With two wins from two already under her belt, it is highly likely that Korda will be sent out a further two times today. With the Robert Trent Jones course seemingly perfect to her liking, Korda could be tough to stop.
If Korda was supposed to get the Americans up and firing, it was the job of Lilia Vu to try and wrap things up at the end of the first morning.
Although not the biggest of hitters, Vu can wear her opponents down through her consistency and that is exactly what she was able to do in the morning foursomes.
Paired with rookie Sarah Schmelzel, the two had a tough assignment of taking on two of Europe’s best players, Linn Grant and Carlota Ciganda. In a match that ebbed and flowed, it was Vu who stepped up to the plate.
With the European’s erring off line from both the tee and fairways, it was Vu who grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck. Finding the heart of the fairways and hitting plenty of greens, it was her putting that helped turn the tide of the contest in the US’s favour.
Helping guide them to a 3&2 victory, Vu’s brilliant display ensured that Team USA would take a 3-1 lead into the afternoon fourballs.
Europe will need to rekindle memories of 2023 to work their way back into contention
Speaking after the first day where she found her team 6-2 down, there wasn’t any panic from European Captain Suzanne Pettersen. A gritty and tough competitor right up to the last as a player, Pettersen knows that there is still plenty of golf to be played and that was the message she was keen to communicate to her players.
The European team found themselves in a similar position back in 2023 where after the first session of play they found themselves 4-0 down and with plenty of work to do.
Rather than panic, the Europeans would set down to work and would eventually work their way back to tie the contest 14-14.
A similar story will need to happen this year, but in order for the Europeans to produce one of the best comebacks in Solheim Cup history, their best players will need to find their form quickly.
Charley Hull has often been Europe’s lightning rod but despite her best efforts she couldn’t find her best golf and would end the first day without a point.
With the Englishwoman failing to fire, it was a similar story for some of Europe’s other stalwarts as Linn Grant, Carlota Ciganda, Celine Boutier and Georgia Hull would all end the first day’s play pointless.
If Europe are to claw their way back into contention then their best players need to follow the lead of Anna Nordqvist.
Playing in her ninth Solheim Cup, the Swede was simply sensational in the afternoon fourballs. Whereas most of her rivals were struggling to pick up the speed of the greens the former Open Champion looked completely at home. Playing alongside her good friend Magdalene Sagstrom, the two put on one of the best performances of the day and beat Alison Lee and Lexi Thompson 5&4.
Expected to play both sessions today, Europe will need Nordqvist to continue where she left off if they are to claw their way back into the contest.
Day 2 foursomes set to be pivotal
The first session of the second day is the morning fourballs and the four points that are up for grabs will be absolutely pivotal.
If Europe can win the session, their hopes of winning a fourth consecutive Solheim Cup will be very much reignited whereas America knows that they can move one step closer to breaking their rivals streak if they can come out on top. Here is how the pairings look.
Alisen Corpuz & Nelly Korda vs Carlota Ciganda & Emily Pedersen
Ali Ewing & Jen Kupcho vs Esther Heinsleit & Charley Hull
Lauren Coughlin & Lexi Thompson vs Maja Stark & Georgia Hull
Sarah Schmelzel & Lilia Vu vs Anna Nordqvist & Celine Boutier
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
