USA took a commanding 6-2 lead after day one of the Solheim Cup, winning both sessions 3-1 – Getty Images/Gregory Shamus
USA 6 Europe 2
Transport issues aside, this was a joyous opening for Team USA. Barack Obama appeared on the first tee to pump up the crowd and as the Stars and Stripes took a record 6-2 advantage, there was the overwhelming sense of “yes, we can”.
They have seen the Europeans hold aloft the Solheim Cup in the last three matches, but following this emphatic start are overwhelming favoruites to record their first win in this particular biennial dust-up in seven years.
Maybe this Friday the 13th will be remembered for the tens of thousands that were stranded outside the gates of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club because of issues in bussing in the hordes from the park-and-ride and the resulting flat atmosphere on the first tee. A spectacle that is usually so special was shamefully ruined.
Yet from a purely golfing point of view, this appeared to be the moment when the Americans finally let off the handbrake and put on a display of almost one-way traffic as they compiled the biggest first-day lead in the 34-year existence of the event. Nelly Korda was the star of the show. And Obama, of course.
Nelly Korda helped drive a dominant USA team on Friday – Getty Images/David Cannon
The former president knows how to play an audience and after the grandstands had at last filled for the afternoon fourballs, the cheers rang out as Obama, a member here, conducted the din. By then the home support had plenty to shout about as their side enjoyed a 3-1 advantage after the morning foursomes. And the chants of “USA, USA” grew only louder as the repeated the scoreline in the afternoon fourballs.
Korda carved her own slice of history by becoming the first American to win two games on a single Solheim day, each by at least three holes. But then Rose Zhang, Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel emulated the world No 1. They followed where Korda led.
Korda and Allisen Corpuz accounted for Hull and German’s Esther Henseleit 3&2 and then she and Megan Khang walloped another Englishwoman Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire 6&4. Korda won all the par fives she played – eight – and looked as dominant as when winning six out of seven tournaments earlier in this season.
USA captain Stacy Lewis was appropriately delighted. “I have to say in my head I was thinking 3-1 each session would be an awesome day, and it worked out that way,” she said.
“The girls just played some unbelievable golf and certainly having Nelly and Megan go crazy, going out there first this afternoon helped. The best part is when Nelly came skipping out of that tunnel on the first tee in the afternoon. That’s what I like to see more than anything – the energy she came out with. The golf comes from that.”
It was a humbling start for Suzann Pettersen’s team, who have it all to do to retain the trophy for a record fourth time in a row. Granted, they came back last year from losing the opening session 4-0 to fight back for a draw, but on foreign soil this is a much bigger and foreboding task.
The only victories they had to show for their efforts were the one-up foursomes triumph of Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark over Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho and the 6&4 fourballs waltz of Swedes Madelene Sagstrom and Anna Nordqvist over Lexi Thompson and Alison Lee.
Hull certainly expected better. She and Linn Grant lost their fourballs 5&4 to Zhang and Andrea Lee. In Virginia, a mountain must be scaled.
USA take dominant 6-2 lead on day one – as it happened10:42 PM BSTFriday fourballs, results
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10:40 PM BSTEurope captain Suzann Pettersen
“We were faced with quite a big challenge last year. We have done it before and we can do it again. It’s going to take a massive effort but I know we can do it.
“We gave a good effort but the Americans played great. I feel like they had all the putts rolling their way and I don’t feel like we’ve had any momentum.
“We have a massive job ahead of us… anything is possible. Last year was a good example. It took a lot out of us to get the job done from where we started but there are so many points left to play for.”
10:33 PM BSTBrilliant Korda10:17 PM BSTCoughlin/Schmelzel beat Pedersen/Stark 3&2
It’s a fantastic putt which drops in on the right side. Assured from the debutant. Europe have been trounced somewhat on the opening day. What can they do from here? Well, surely they have to win the day tomorrow. 81/2 51/2 would give them a sniff but anything more than that and it is going to be such an enormous task.
Whatever, they cannot really afford to slip up in either session tomorrow.
10:14 PM BSTTense on the 16th green
USA’s Coughlin has a putt for the win and a 6-2 lead.
10:05 PM BSTThis has clearly been a challenging day for Europe
But credit to the USA, they have played superbly, putting the visitors under pressure all day long. Kora, especially, but plenty from the other players.
Nelly Korda of Team United States react after winning their match on the 14th hole during the Friday Fourball matches against Team Europe during the first round of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Virginia
10:01 PM BSTLee/Zhang beat Grant/Hull 5&4
It’s another comprehensive victory for USA which takes them 5-2 overall. Europe’s hopes to get it to 5-3 rest on an unlikely comeback by Pedersen and Stark who are three down with four remaining…
09:57 PM BSTYet more remarkable golf from USA
Andrea Lee nearly holes out for an albatross on hole 14! It lips out, but should be a certain eagle for USA.
09:49 PM BSTEurope clinging in here but you feel it is just a matter of time
After Pedersen’s excellent greenside bunker shot, Stark and Schmelzel follow her with a similar level of excellence. Pedersen gets up and down for a birdie, leaving it for the Americans to try to match it. They should do that with two goes at it… and they only need one.
USA lead 3 up with four to play in the third game and are four up with four to play in the final match.
09:45 PM BSTWe have seen a lot of magic shots from USA today
Coughlin nearly holes a bump and run from 30 yards on the 14th hole. Just ran over the lip of the cup, slightly changing direction as it passed. Pedersen then plays a supern bunker shot, downhill onto a downhill green and it is about as good as it can be, landing just in the rough and about seven feet past the hole.
Meanwhile, Charley Hull smokes her drive on the 14th.
09:38 PM BSTAndrea Lee holes her birdie putt for USA
Grant has a birdie putt and needs to hole it to keep the match alive but, really, it looks like a forlorn hope for Europe at this point. Grant indeed holes her biride putt to keep them four down with five remaining. Time running out, though.
09:38 PM BSTHull and Grant try to turn it around
Hull’s chip on the 13th just stops short of the hole but it guarantees Europe a par. Both Europe and USA have one birdie putt left.
09:30 PM BSTSarah Schmelzer and Lauren Coughlin go three up
Debutant Schmelzer calmly strokes in an eight-footer. With just five to play. Hmmm. 6-2 looking likely for the United States at this point.
09:26 PM BSTLooks like it could be 5-2 to the USA in short order
Lee and Zhang have just gone 4 up on Grant and Hull with six remaining. In fourballs that is an enormous deficit to claw back.
Rose Zhang of The United States Team plays her second shot on the second hole during the afternoon four ball matches of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Virginia
09:10 PM BSTDominant Korda on fire
Nelly Korda won a remarkable 16 holes today. She and Allisen Corpuz won eight in the morning foursomes in their 3&2 win over Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit. And eight with Megan Khang in the afternoon fourballs in their 6&4 walloping of Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire. It’s the most holes won by a player in a single day of a Solheim Cup since 2015. The second most over that time is 15 – by Korda’s elder sister, Jessica, in 2019. Dominant display from the world No 1.
09:09 PM BSTBig moment here for Maja Stark
She has a 15ft putt for birdie to win the 12th hole to get Europe back to 1 down…
She gives it a good rattle but it lips out on the left-side of the hole to leave USA 2 up with six to play. Europe really needed that. It is harder, generally, in fourballs to turn matches around quickly.
09:06 PM BSTNordqvist/Sagstrom beat Lee/Thompson 6&5
That brings it back to 4-2 to the hosts but there is the very real prospect of USA leading 6-2 after the opening day.
09:01 PM BSTYikes
Linn Grant misses a birdie putt on the 11th, leaving the door ajar for Rose Zhang. She needs no second asking, nailing her birdie putt to put USA three-up in the final match.
08:58 PM BSTThe good news…
…for Europe is that Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom are almost guaranteed to earn their side’s second point of the afternoon. An eagle on the 12th from Sagstrom puts them five-up.
08:54 PM BSTCurrent standings
Korda/Khang beat Hall/Maguire 6&4
4up Nordqvist/Sagstrom vs Lee/Thompson
Pedersen/Stark vs Coughlin/Schmelzel 2up
Grant/Hull vs Lee/Zhang 2up
08:53 PM BSTUSA pile on pressure
Elsewhere, more solid golf from Sarah Schmelzel restores the American two-hole lead in the third match. Europe will feel they need to win at least one of match three or four.
08:48 PM BSTKorda and Khang finish job
The Americans are 4-1 up and Nelly Korda has led from the front supremely well today. Khang played her part too in what has been utter domination from this American pair.
Elsewhere, an eagle putt from Rose Zhang puts America two-up in the final match.
08:41 PM BSTIncredible from Nelly Korda
A stunning shot from the American on the 14th. Her fairway wood pitches just a few feet in front of the flag and runs six-feet past. At five up with four to play after this hole, the Americans are nearly home in the first fourball.
08:29 PM BSTLeona Maguire sinks a birdie putt
And that extends the lead match until the 13th hole at least.
08:21 PM BSTKorda and Khang confirm at least half a point
They are 6 up with six to play in the lead match. Anna Nordqvist pings her drive on the drivable par-four 11th and is just on the fringe, probably 15ft away. Lovely shot. If Europe can tie this session 2-2 it would not be an awful outcome for Europe all things considered.
08:14 PM BSTNordqvist and Sagstrom Europe’s brightest hopes
As they go 3 up after 10. Pedersen now has a long birdie putt to get herself and Stark back to 1 up but misses slightly left…
08:13 PM BSTA recap on the current state of play
Hall/Maguire vs Korda/Khang 5up
2up Nordqvist/Sagstrom vs Lee/Thompson
Pedersen/Stark vs Coughlin/Schmelzel 1up
Grant/Hull vs Lee/Zhang AS
08:03 PM BSTCoughlin confidently strokes in a putt on the eighth
And that puts USA two ahead in that game against Pedersen and Stark. Looking increasingly like mountain-to-climb-territory for Europe at the moment.
07:56 PM BSTGeorgia Hall in all sorts of bother on the par-three 11th
Down a steep bank and just (just!) on dry land and not in Lake Manassas. She gets it up onto the green and then through the green in what feels like a futile challenge in all honesty.
Sagstrom on the ninth has a birdie putt to win the hole and put Europe 2 up in the second match. Which she duly does.
07:44 PM BSTWell, well, well…
Hall holes the monster putt for a par on the 10th after all that faffing around. Does that put pressure on the United States? Not really, not massively as Korda is on the fringe with two putts to win. And nearly does it in one. 5 up with eight remaining now, are the USA in the lead group.
Nordqvist and Sagstrom have, at least, taken a 1 up lead on Lee and Thompson after eight holes.
07:42 PM BSTOuch…
Georgia Hall is in the bunker and stays in the bunker… that comes came after Maguire got it out of the bunker and through the back of the green in what was a decent shot, all in all. The USA pair are in a much better position. Hall’s second shot out of the bunker makes it onto the green this time but rolls back to about 40ft, at least. A poor attempt.
07:39 PM BSTWorse news for Europe…
Sarah Schmelzel sinks a putt on the seventh to put the States 1 up in the third match. So USA lead in three, and it is tied in the other…
Sarah Schmelzel and Lauren Coughlin of Team United States react to her putt on the second green during the Friday Fourball matches against Team Europe during the first round of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Virginia
07:35 PM BSTAndrea Lee and Rose Zhang go 1 up on Grant and Hull
If it stays like this then the end of day one score would be: USA 51/2 Europe 21/2.
There is such a long way to go today, though things climax quickly in this format of golf. It could get significantly better for Europe or even worse.
07:29 PM BSTA ray of light for Europe in the lead match
Georgia Hall sinks her birdie putt and pegs the US back to 4 up as they head into the back nine. They will need a lot more of that…
07:25 PM BSTTwo great shots from Europe in the lead match
Georgia Hall nearly runs it over the hole for what would have been a hole-in-one. They need to win this hole to peg USA back and keep their faint hopes of getting anything in the match alive.
07:19 PM BSTMaja Stark holes from seven feet to keep their match tied after six holes
Unfortunately for Europe, they are getting trounced in the lead match with Korda and Khan 5 up after eight holes…
07:16 PM BSTThe fourballs as it stands
Hall/Maguire v Korda/Khang 4up
Nordqvist/Sagstrom v Lee/Thompson AS
Pedersen/Stark v Coughlin/Schmelzel AS
Grant/Hull v Lee/Zhang AS
07:14 PM BSTMeghan Khang nearly holes her approach on eight
Hall and Maguire have no answer for Khang and Korda’s performance at the moment. In the final match Zhang holes another monster putt… Hull has a putt to tie the hole to keep some blue on the board. But she failes to hole it, so the final game is back to all square…
07:06 PM BSTThe lead match is the US’s to lose
4 up after seven now, Korda and Khang.
Megan Khang (L) and Nelly Korda of The United States Team dance to the music as they leave the first tee in their match against Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire of The European Team during the afternoon four ball matches of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Virgini
06:54 PM BSTGrant/Hull get back to 1 up in the final match
Some respite for Europe in a difficult time. Plenty of time to go and all matches in the balance. Well, apart from the first one where Korda and Khang are three up after six.
06:52 PM BSTMaguire and Hall missed their birdie putts on five
Which means the USA are 3 up in the lead match… Korda is in scintillating form at the moment, helping to drive the home team on.
Nelly Korda of Team United States plays her second shot on the first hole during the Friday Fourball matches against Team Europe during the first round of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
06:46 PM BSTA bit of a tough patch for Europe, this
They might end up surrendering the lead in the second game too with Lexi Thompson having 20ft or so for birdie to win the hole on the fifth. It trickles in and the match is back to all square!
06:42 PM BSTStark takes her time but pars the fourth
All square it remains in the third match.
Rose Zhang, in the final match holes a birdie putt from the back of the green. Probably all of 40ft that. Hull has to hole a long one to tie the hole but she misses left after giving it a good go…
The final match goes back to all square.
06:41 PM BSTA bit of a mess for Schmelzel and Coughlin on the fourth but they have found a way out
Coughlin is in the water but her partner has a putt of about seven foot for par, a tremendous save when you are the only player on the hole for your pair. Pedersen then misses her par putt to tie the hole from not very far at all… Stark has a shorter one for the tie now but with a lot of pressure on.
Meanwhile Korda sinks her birdie putt from the back of the green meaning Europe have two goes to tie and stay at 2 down in the lead match.
06:34 PM BSTLeona Maguire with a cracker on the sixth
Maguire, two down, plays a beauty from 175 yards. Off the fairway ends up about 12ft from the hole. What can Georgia Hall do, who is also on he fairway? This pair need to make sure this match does not get away from them. Hall ends up pretty much where Maguire finished.
America’s Korda is in the bunker but only has 152 yards to go.
06:29 PM BSTHere is the current state of play in the afternoon fourballs
Hall/Maguire v Korda/Khang 2 up
1 up Nordqvist v Sagstrom vs Lee/Thompson
Pedersen/Stark v Coughlin/Schmelzel AS
1 up Grant/Hull v Lee/Zhang
06:25 PM BSTThompson confidently putts in for birdie
Six foot only, yes, but that was a big putt for the American team. The match remains at all square. Meanwhile, Korda sinks her putt on the fifth for the Americans to go 2 up in the lead match.
06:23 PM BSTPressure on Thompson
Alison Lee, in odd socks, nearly rolls in that birdie putt from distance but it’s a gimme so Thompson can have a real go at hers. I mean, it’s a six-footer so you shouldn’t be leaving it short anyway… but you know what I mean.
Nordqvist sinks her birdie putt which then puts the pressure on Thompson, standing over her six-footer.
06:17 PM BSTA decent chance for Thompson and Lee to get their game back to AS
Thompson sends it to about six feet on the par-three third. The closest European ball is about 12ft away, but Alison Lee will be able to have a go at her longer putt first for the States.
06:15 PM BSTHull/Grant go 1 up in the final match
Charley Hull sinks a short-ish putt to put Europe up in two matches of the four with USA up in one and it all square in other.
06:04 PM BSTGeorgia Hall has a put to win the hole and put Europe all square in the lead match
It’s about six feet or so, slightly uphill but she misses slightly left again and the USA retain their 1 up lead.
05:46 PM BSTTwo good shots from Stark and Pedersen in the third match
Pedersen the closest of the group, with probably 20ft remaining for birdie. Everyone on the green, though.
05:39 PM BSTEurope take the lead in match two
Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom take the first hole to get some blue on the leaderboard.
Nelly Korda has a 25ft birdie putt to get some red on the leaderboard in the lead match but misses it low on the left. A little slippery but never looked like it was going in.
Khang then misses a tiddler to win the hole and the lead match stays all square.
05:30 PM BSTObama lapping it up05:30 PM BSTKhang sends in a dart on hole two
Khang’s approach on the second is excellent, narrowly missing the hole as it finishes a foot or two from the hole. Hall, from the rough, sends it to the middle of the green with Leona Maguire still to play from the middle of the fairway.
Maguire’s shot is decent, to the left of the pin but about 15-20ft away…
05:24 PM BSTEurope AS in the first match
Maguire’s putt to win the hole is a bit weak, never really giving it a chance being slightly short and left. It’s a halve on the first for the opening pairs.
Europe’s Leona Maguire hits from the first fairway during a Solheim Cup golf tournament fourball match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Gainesville
05:09 PM BSTThe first tee shots are away in the fourballs
Leona Maguire finds the fairway for Europe but Georgia Hall does not. I think she is in the bunker or at least the rough surrounding it. Two decent shots from the Americans, Korda and Khang, who find the left half of the fairway.
05:07 PM BSTFriday foursomes: results
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04:34 PM BSTEurope claim their first point
It’s a birdie on the last for Pedersen and Grant which means they win the hole and win 2up, so the foursomes ends 3-1 to the hosts, the United States.
04:32 PM BSTThe fourball tee times are in
12:05 p.m. – Georgia Hall/Leona Maguire (EUR) vs Nelly Korda/Megan Khang (USA)
12:20 p.m. – Anna Nordqvist/Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) vs Alison Lee/Lexi Thompson (USA)
12:35 p.m. – Emily Pedersen/Maja Stark (EUR) vs Lauren Coughlin/Sarah Schmelzel (USA)
12:50 p.m. – Linn Grant/Charley Hull (EUR) vs Andrea Lee/Rose Zhang (USA)
04:31 PM BSTIt is all down to Pedersen and Grant then
Emily Pedersen putts it to within near-gimme range with her approach on 18.
They only need to halve the hole to win the match and Europe really need that. 3-1 down is not great but not a disaster, 31/2 to 1/2 is a bit of an early beating.
04:28 PM BSTVu/Schmelzel beat Ciganda/Grant 3&2
It’s 3-0 to the United States, helped massively by this wonderful tee shot on the 16th.
04:22 PM BST17th halved for Pedersen/Stark
It’s a great lag put by Emily Pedersen which results in a gimme par for Europe but Ally Ewing has actually about five feet downhill to win the hole but it drifts past the left lip and the hole is halved. Was probably a couple of feet beyond and many would have made their opponents putt but it is given. Europe guarantee their first score of the day, 1 up with one to play.
04:20 PM BSTIt gets a little bleaker for Europe, I am afraid
Ciganda misses a birdie putt to win the hole and get Europe back to 1 down… and Europe will have some work to do in the match that they are up in with Maja Stark putting her approach, from the rough, only onto the front of the green. Moments earlier Jennifer Kupcho put it to about four feet maximum…
Vu/Schmelzel halve the hole against Ciganda and Grant to remain two up with three to play…
04:16 PM BSTWhat can Europe salvage from a difficult opening session?
Hello, Luke Slater taking you through the rest of the day’s action. Not looking brilliant for the visitors at the moment, but a long way to go yet today, never mind the overall competition.
04:01 PM BSTAmerican fight-back underway in match three
The third match looked to be comfortably in the hands of Europe’s Pedersen and Stark. The pair have been three and four up for most of this morning’s session.
However, their American competitors are firmly on the comeback and have reduced Europe’s advantage to just one point.
The nerves are clearly getting to Pedersen and Stark now.
Pedersen and Stark are one up against Ewing and Kupcho through 15.
03:58 PM BSTNot a disaster yet for Europe
Incredible to think that Team USA failed to win the opening session in the Solheim Cup for seven straight matches before last year’s 4-0 whitewash in Spain. Whatever happens here in the remaining four sessions – and if Pedersen and Stark hang on in their foursomes – 3-1 down would not be a disaster. The next Europe captain in the Netherlands in two years time will have to address this slow start.
03:57 PM BSTPar five weaknesses cost Europe
If Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit need to know where they were defeated in that first foursomes against world No 1 Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz then they need only look at the par fives. They lost all four of them in their 3&2 defeat. Korda and Corpuz have now won three out of three foursomes.
03:53 PM BSTSecond point on the board for USA
Valenzuela has the chance to keep match two alive if she can secure a tough birdie putt.
It’s too much for the European player, though and she misses by a margin.
USA’s Zhang steps up and effortlessly pots her ball for par.
That’s it – Zhang and Coughlin beat Boutier and Valenzuela 3&2.
It’s another point on the board for Team USA.
03:49 PM BSTChaotic scenes ahead of morning session
Earlier this morning, the Solheim Cup – and the famous atmosphere around the first tee – was marred by chaotic scenes as thousands of spectators were left stranded outside the gates.
When the first foursomes match featuring Charley Hull and world No 1 Nelly Korda began at 7.05am the grandstands surrounding the tee-box looked half empty.
Sort of a nightmare scenario here on the first tee at the Solheim Cup with a ton of empty seats. Bus issues keeping fans from getting in. Shots in the air in a matter of minutes pic.twitter.com/nZ3JTmUEvs
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) September 13, 2024
Supporters, who in some instances had paid hundreds of dollars for the privilege, formed huge queues as they waited for shuttle buses to transport them to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club for the biennial dust-up between Team USA and Europe.
Fans vented their frustrations on social media at being stuck for hours in lines for buses at the designated pick-up points at a concert venue near the course, about 40 miles west of Capitol Hill. Many arrived there well before 6am but did not make it for what is always a special experience around the first tee.
Indeed, the conspicuous gaps remained well after the four foursomes had started and were out on the layout. One image showed two children and their father watching the opening tee shots on their phone having “not moved 10ft” since arriving in the queue just after dawn.
The LPGA Tour organisers had been warned on Thursday about transport issues with supporters kept waiting hours to return to their cars in the 30-minute shuttle trip. The Tour did not make immediate comment, but with the farcical scenes developing there were already calls for refunds.
03:45 PM BSTGreat putt from Boutier
Team Europe need to make this putt to keep themselves in the game – and Boutier does it!
American duo Coughlin and Zhang are three up with three to play and guaranteed a half point.
Whether Europe get something out of this match is completely in Boutier and Valenzuela’s hands now.
03:41 PM BSTTeam USA wins first point of the day
The American have done it.
On the par-three 16th, Corpuz makes the putt and wins Team USA their first point of the day.
It was a close match but ultimately Hull and Henseleit, who had brilliant moments of their own, were let down by individual errors at crucial moments. Korda and Corpuz worked incredibly well throughout and keep their unbeaten record intact.
Korda and Corpuz beat Hull and Henseleit 3&2.
03:36 PM BSTPromising all round for Team USA
The Europeans are struggling in matches one, two, and four.
Zhang and Coughlin have asserted their authority in match two and are three up with just four holes left to play.
In match four, Vu and Schmelzel are two up against a struggling European side.
The only match with European dominance is the third, where Pedersen and Stark have maintained their three point advantage.
It is crunch time now for the European players – otherwise some of these matches could be over very soon.
03:34 PM BSTDisaster for Hull
A really bad miss from Hull as she attempts to secure the putt for par. She misses from five-feet and makes way for Korda who effortlessly taps in and wins the hole.
Hull and Henseleit have made a few frustrating errors today. With just three holes left to play, that one in particular is sure to haunt them.
Korda and Corpuz are two up against Hull and Henseleit through 15.
03:29 PM BSTAnother shot in the lake
Europe’s Valanzuela attempts a bold shot on the 14th and aims to clear the lake – but it’s not enough and her ball falls straight into the water.
That’s the third shot out of four so far to land in the water – the par-five 14th is causing some problems for the players.
The Americans opt to go around rather than across and it works well for them. Zhang lands the ball on the green, setting Coughlin up for a good birdie opportunity.
It isn’t looking good for Boutier and Valenzuela who are already two down.
03:26 PM BSTScores on the doors
Match one: Korda and Corpuz one up vs Henseleit and Hull (14)
Match two: Zhang and Coughlin two up vs Boutier and Valenzuela (13)
Match three: Ewing and Kupcho vs Pedersen and Stark three up (12)
Match four: Vu and Schmelzel one up vs Grant and Ciganda (11)
More red than blue on the board as we head into the home straight – but it could all easily change in these last few holes.
03:22 PM BSTEuropeans back on top
In match three, Team Europe regain a strong advantage after the Americans let hole 12 slip away with a bogey.
Europe need only to secure a par – and it’s light work for Pedersen and Stark. Restoring a significant lead will give them more confidence with just six holes left to play.
Stark and Pedersen are three up against Ewing and Kupcho through 12.
03:20 PM BSTRedemption for Corpuz
After her first shot on the 14th landed in the lake, Corpuz redeems herself in great fashion with a neat putt.
It’s a similar distance for Europe’s Henseleit, however she falls just short – meaning Team USA are back in front with four to play.
Korda and Corpuz are one up against Hull and Henseleit through 14.
03:12 PM BSTCoughlin continues putting brilliance
The USA’s Coughlin has produced some strong putts throughout the morning – and she continues her form with a strong putt on the par-four 13th.
It’s not looking good for the Europeans as the USA double their advantage.
Coughlin and Zhang are two up against Boutier and Valenzuela through 13.
03:09 PM BSTDouble-splash!
Oh dear. Henseleit attempts to drive straight down the fairway but reacts with shock as the ball fails to clear the water.
Next up, Corpuz attempts to reach the green. She is initially successful… until her ball rolls down the slope and also ends up in the lake.
Disaster for both teams on the par-five 14th.
03:05 PM BSTRookie Henseleit impresses03:04 PM BSTTight at the top
In the first match, the scores are (once again) tied after a European birdie putt on the 13th stole Team USA’s advantage.
This game could truly go either way – there have been moments of greatness from both teams but some big mistakes as well.
It is all square between Hull and Henseleit versus Korda and Corpuz through 13.
03:01 PM BSTA comeback in match three?
Europe’s Pedersen and Stark were four holes up, but Team USA have since managed to halve that advantage.
Pedersen hands the 11th hole to Ewing and Kupcho after dropping a shot in anxiety-inducing style.
Stark and Pedersen are two up against Ewing and Kupcho through 11.
02:58 PM BSTMatch four makes the turn
Europe’s Ciganda halves the ninth hole with a nice birdie putt.
The group has been warned they are on the clock, after falling behind by a hole.
They will need to speed things up, but ensure the quickening pace does not come at the cost of their performance.
Schmelzel and Vu are one up against Ciganda and Grant after nine.
02:55 PM BSTRed wave emerging
Boutier and Valenzuela are struggling in match two. On the par-five 12th, Valenzuela misses a birdie putt to tie the hole. USA takes the advantage.
Zhang and Coughlin are one up against Boutier and Valenzuela.
02:52 PM BSTHuge play from Hull
On the par-four 13th, Charley Hull makes a great drive down the fairway. The ball lands just beyond the green.
She takes advantage of the Americans’ early mistake after their tee shot veered wide and landed too far to the left.
After her shot, Hull can be heard saying her shot was “too skinny” – ever self-critical!
02:47 PM BSTFlying over Lake Manassas02:43 PM BSTSo close
Korda and Corpuz have restored their lead in match one after a close putting contest from 20-feet.
Europe’s Henseleit steps up and just misses the hole on the par-five 12th.
Team USA secure the par. It’s a much-needed win for Korda and Corpuz after two consecutive defeats.
Korda and Corpuz are one up against Henseleit and Hull through 12.
02:39 PM BSTScores on the doors
Match one: Korda and Corpuz vs Henseleit and Hull all square (11)
Match two: Zhang and Coughlin vs Boutier and Valenzuela all square (9)
Match three: Ewing and Kupcho vs Pedersen and Stark three up (9)
Match four: Vu and Schmelzel one up vs Grant and Ciganda (7)
The view from the 11th tee – AP/Matt York
02:34 PM BSTMuch better from Hull02:30 PM BSTShock for Stark
Europe’s Stark looks on in disbelief as her birdie putt from 30-feet rolls towards the green and then stops just on the edge of the hole. It looked destined to roll in and secure the birdie for Team Europe.
It becomes a much-needed win for Team USA in match three as Kupcho secures the birdie putt and wins the par-three nine.
That pulls Europe’s advantage down to three. The European duo of Pedersen and Stark were beginning to look unstoppable.
Pedersen and Stark are three up against Ewing and Kupcho through nine.
02:25 PM BSTBack-to-back birdies from Hull
It’s all change in the first match as Europe’s Charley Hull secures her second consecutive birdie and pulls USA’s deficit back to all-square after 11 holes.
02:21 PM BSTBetter from Valenzuela
After a frustrating miss on the eighth, Europe’s Valenzuela has bounced back with a great tee shot on the par-three ninth.
Team mate Boutier misses the chance for a birdie and cuts a frustrated figure, but there is quick redemption for her side as Valenzuela taps the ball in for a par.
Much better from the European side as they pull it back to all square through nine.
02:17 PM BSTEuropean dominance in match three02:15 PM BSTKorda yet to make a putt
Despite her growing dominance in this game, Nelly Korda, the world number one, is yet to make a putt. She’s struggling on the green.
Up steps Hull and, from around six feet out, she makes the birdie putt and halves the USA’s advantage to one.
Just what Team Europe needed.
Korda and Corpuz are one up against Hull and Henseleit through 10.
02:11 PM BSTExcruciating miss for Valenzuela
In match two, Europe’s Valenzuela has the chance to half the hole after USA’s Coughlin putts in for par.
But she misses the key putt on the par-five eighth and looks visibly tense as her shot fails to reach the target.
This is one of the closest matches in the game. That will be a frustrating dropped point for the European side.
Coughlin and Zhang are one up against Valenzuela and Boutier through eight.
02:06 PM BSTKorda lives up to world number one title02:05 PM BSTLots of red on the board
Team Europe’s Pedersen and Stark are dominating in match three and are four up against Ewing and Kupcho after seven holes.
However, in the three other matches, Team USA is currently on top, albeit it with very tight deficits. All three American teams are just one up on their European counterparts. It could all change in one or two holes.
02:00 PM BSTHull and Henseleit flagging
After a strong early performance from Hull and Henseleit, their US opponent is starting to prove why she’s world number one.
On the par-five eighth, Korda produces a magnificent wedge shot. Hull steps up and finds herself in the sand and Henseleit is unable to free the ball from the bunker.
Team Europe are struggling here and their US counterparts are making the most of it.
Korda and Corpuz are two up against Hull and Henseleit after eight.
Europe’s Esther Henseleit in action – AP/Chris Szagalo
01:58 PM BSTUSA pulls one back
An unfortunate missed putt from Pederson on the par-four sixth gives her US opponents a lifeline after they struggled to make much of an impact on the first five holes.
Ewing and Kupcho win their first hole of the day and the pair couldn’t look happier as they claw back the deficit to three.
Pederson and Stark are now three up against Ewing and Kupcho through six.
01:53 PM BSTEurope halves deficit in final match
Vu and Schmelzel’s early dominance is flagging as the Europeans fight back on the par-five fifth. Grant taps in a neat birdie putt and the Americans are nowhere near with a bogey.
It’s a hole pulled back for the European side who were struggling in the earlier games.
Vu and Schmelzel are one up on Ciganda and Grant through five.
01:48 PM BSTA check-in on the scores
Match one: Korda and Corpuz one up vs Henseleit and Hull (7)
Match two: Zhang and Coughlin vs Boutier and Valenzuela all square (6)
Match three: Ewing and Kupcho vs Pedersen and Stark four up (5)
Match four: Vu and Schmelzel two up vs Grant and Ciganda (4)
01:45 PM BSTPoor from Europe in match one
On the par four seventh, Hull struggles to make her putt for par after a poor tee shot and approach on the fairway.
It’s all too easy for Team USA’s Corpuz to secure the birdie from a short distance after a great approach from Korda.
It’s the third consecutive tee shot from the European pair that has not landed as planned – the pair are struggling.
Korda and Corpuz are one up against Henseleit and Hull through seven.
01:40 PM BSTBig contrasts between matches three and four
Team Europe may be struggling in match four, however it couldn’t be more different in the third match where Stark and Pedersen are now four up against Kupcho and Ewing through five.
01:36 PM BSTConfident putt from US rookie
Europe’s Linn Grant has a chance for par in the fourth match on hole four. But it’s an excruciating moment for the European side as her shot just skims the hole.
Up steps Us rookie Schmelzel with a chance to widen the lead for her side. Without hesitation, she tidies up from a few feet out to double her and Vu’s lead.
Schmelzel and Vu are two up against Grant and Ciganda through four
01:33 PM BSTVu on top form01:32 PM BSTKorda struggling in early stages
On the green, the world number one is yet to reach her top form. She tries for another birdie putt on the sixth hole to win it for her side… but it does not break early enough and slightly overshoots.
Korda does not look impressed. It’s been a tricky start for her this morning.
Hull and Henseliet are tied with Korda and Corpuz through six.
01:29 PM BSTIn match one…
Nelly Korda, world number one, in action for Team USA – Getty Images North America/Gregory Shamus
Europe’s Charley Hull plays her shot from the second tee – Getty Images North America/Gregory Shamus
01:28 PM BSTVu secures birdie
It might be all Europe in match three, but in the bottom match, Team USA are on top.
Grant and Ciganda secure a tidy par in the par four third, but after a confident approach from Schmelzel, Vu makes the birdie putt for the American side.
Vu and Schmelzel are one up against Grant and Ciganda through three
01:23 PM BSTEuropean dominance in match three
Stark and Pedersen are on top form against Team USA’s Ewing and Kupcho.
After Kupcho missed her par putt from six-feet, Stark steps up for Europe and slots in the ball to secure par for her side.
It puts Stark and Pederson three up against Ewing and Kupcho through four.
01:19 PM BSTLevel in the fourth match
After struggling in the very early stages, Team Europe are back level in the fourth match.
Grant and Ciganda managed a birdie against Team USA’s Vu and Schmelzel on the par four second.
In match four, Europe are tied with USA through two.
01:17 PM BSTExcellent from Hull01:16 PM BSTEurope victorious in match three
Europe’s Stark makes a long drive in great fashion on the par four third. It gives Pederson a chance at birdie and she delivers in excellent style, with a victorious fist pump to top it off.
Stark and Pederson are two up against Ewing and Kupcho through three.
01:10 PM BSTDouble eagle!
Both teams in match two eagle the fourth hole in impressive style. The scores remain tied.
01:08 PM BSTEarly scores
Match one: Korda and Corpuz vs Henseleit and Hull one up (4)
Match two: Zhang and Coughlin vs Boutier and Valenzuela all square (3)
Match three: Ewing and Kupcho vs Pedersen and Stark one up (2)
Match four: Vu and Schmelzel one up vs Grant and Ciganda (1)
01:04 PM BSTCommanding from USA’s Vu01:03 PM BSTBetter from Boutier
Team USA start strong with a neat tee shot, but Coughlin manages to drag the ball too far with a chip shot that overshoots the gren. It is down to Zhang to save the hole for USA with a putt for par but she once again overshoots.
In confident style, Celine Boutier steps up and wins the third hole for Team Europe.
Boutier and Valenzuela are tied with Zhang and Coughlin through three.
12:59 PM BSTUSA on top in fourth match
It’s the perfect start for Team USA in match four. Lila Vu pours in her birdie shot from around 20 feet and is quickly cheered on by her team mate, Sarah Schmelzel.
A flying start for the Americans.
Vu and Schmelzel are one up against Ciganda and Grant.
12:55 PM BSTHistoric Valenzuela12:54 PM BSTAmericans fall behind again
A big gift for Team Europe in the first match after Europe’s Henseleit shoots too far on the green.
USA’s Korda has the chance to win the hole… but she just misses it from about six-feet out. It’s a three-putt bogey and the Americans fall behind once again.
Henseleit and Hull are one up versus Korda and Corpuz through four.
12:48 PM BSTSuccessive American wins
The Americans have taken some blue off the board with two quick wins in the first two matches.
A short-range putt is light work for Korda who puts her side level in the first match.
Hull and Heinselet are tied with Korda and Corpuz through three.
In match two, Zhang’s birdie putt has just enough power to win the hole for the Americans and propels Team USA to a very early lead.
Zhang and Coughlin are one up against Boutier and Valenzuela through two.
12:43 PM BSTStrong start from Team Europe
It is a very early assessment, but Team Europe are looking strong across the board so far.
Over in the third match, Maja Stark makes it onto the green in two, meaning Pedersen has a chance for the birdie shot.
12:39 PM BSTFourth match about to start
European pair Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant walk out to Chappell Roan’s “Hot To Go”. They are followed shortly by their American counterparts, Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel.
They are about to tee off and start the fourth and final foursome match of the morning.
12:36 PM BSTSecond match tied
Celine Boutier, Europe’s highest ranked player, makes an important par putt.
Next up is Lauren Coughlin for Team USA. This is her first Solheim Cup appearance. She has the chance to win the hole for her side, however cannot make the putt.
Boutier and Valenzuela are tied with Zhang and Coughlin through one.
12:34 PM BSTSpecial moment for Henseleit12:33 PM BSTThird match tees off
Team Europe’s Emily Pedersen’s opening drive runs down the right side of the fairway, landing in the short grass.
Up steps Ally Ewing who tees off for the USA. Her drive is just wide but rolls back to brush the short grass.
Three of four matches now underway.
12:30 PM BSTEurope in the lead
Back in the first foursome match, Korda goes for the birdie shot but just misses. A second par for the American duo.
Up steps Hull who has the chance to put Europe in front. As cool and collected as ever, she makes the birdie putt to win the hole.
Hull and Henseleit are one up against Korda and Corpuz through two.
12:26 PM BSTSecond match underway
Team Europe’s Albane Valenzuela tees off in her first Solheim Cup appearance. Her shot stretches just too far and the ball lands in the rough.
Celine Boutier is up next for Europe and manages to work the ball out of the rough… and into the bunker.
12:24 PM BSTFirst hole halved
The USA’s Corpuz had the chance to put her side a point up, but she just misses the birdie opportunity. The points are shared on the first hole.
12:18 PM BSTNicely done
No visible nerves from rookie Henseleit as she chips the ball on to the green, leaving an easy tap in for Hull. A par for the European pair on the first hole.
If Corpuz can make her next shot, USA could take an early lead.
12:15 PM BSTGreat shot from world number one
Charley Hull is up. With a five iron in hand, she overshoots – her shot just sails beyond the green and into the rough.
Jennifer Kupcho is up next. What a shot – out the bunker and straight onto the green. The perfect start for the world number one.
12:12 PM BSTEuropean rookie starts the action
Olympic silver medallist Esther Henseleit is given the privilege of getting the 2024 Solheim Cup underway. She does well under the pressure as her shot soars straight down the fairway.
The USA’s Allisen Corpuz is up next. Despite the cheers and electricity from the home crowd, her shot veers to the side and lands in the bunker. Not an ideal start for the home side.
12:06 PM BSTWhat a start
The tournament tees off with a great first foursome match, as world number one Nelly Korda takes on Europe’s superstar Charley Hull.
It could be a tough start for Hull’s team mate, Germany’s Esther Henseleit with both Korda and American counterpart Allisen Korpuz having won two out of two in this format in Spain last year.
However, Henseliet has been extremely impressive in her rookie year and her partner Hull is considered a heartbeat of the European side, since she commanded the spotlight on her debut as a 17-year-old in Denver 11 years ago.
This could go either way. A cracking opening match selection from captains Suzann Pettersen (Europe) and Stacy Lewis (USA).
12:01 PM BSTAtmosphere building
The “loudest week in women’s golf” is here.
With around 10 minutes until the opening tee, the atmosphere is building at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia. It is around 7:00am local time and the crowds are chanting and dancing as the first players begin to emerge.
The pressure is on for Team USA who have never lost a transatlantic competition four times in a row.
Meanwhile, Team Europe are here to make history and complete a historic “four-peat”.
The par four first needs a precise tee shot to avoid the fairway bunker. The putting green is well guarded by two bunkers and will require players to stay below the pin with the approach to avoid a three putt.
11:49 AM BSTPairings and predictions
There is a great opening tussle on the cards as the USA’s Nelly Korda, world number one, takes on England’s unstoppable Charley Hull in the first foursome match. Korda will play alongside Allisen Corpuz who won the US Women’s Open – and beat Hull – at Pebble Beach last year. Meanwhile, Hull’s team mate is Germany’s Esther Henseleit who has been incredibly impressive in her rookie year.
James Corrigan, Telegraph Sport’s golf correspondent, predicts European victory in the first match.
Next up, Europe’s Celine Boutier and Albane Valenzuela take on American pairing Rose Zhang and Lauren Coughlin. Boutier is the highest ranked European as world number 10 but had an awful experience at last year’s cup, losing all three of her matches. Corrigan predicts a 3&2 victory for the US team in the second foursome, with Coughlin in strong form in her rookie year.
Denmark’s Emily Pedersen and Sweden’s Maja Stark tee off against US duo Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho next. Again, Corrigan predicts America victory.
The final foursome match sees European duo Linn Grant and Carlota Ciganda take on Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel. Corrigan predicts a Europe 2&1. Spain’s Ciganda was the hero in her home country last year, when she beat Korda in the singles to ensure that Europe retained the trophy. Grant has a wonderful swing and Pettersen will fancy the chances of her anchor pairing.
11:35 AM BSTGood morning!
Welcome to our live coverage of the 2024 Solheim Cup as Europe aim to become the first team to win the transatlantic competition for a fourth successive time.
Team Europe’s captain Suzann Pettersen is confident they can do it. Earlier this week, she said: “They’ve done it before and know what it takes. I’m confident the atmosphere and surroundings will help them rise to the occasion.
“The 12 players we have complement each other. I want them all to have each other’s back and be united because that’s the only way we can get this job done.”
The US have not lifted the trophy since 2017, but with the home crowd on their side at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, captain Stacy Lewis is confident her team can end Europe’s recent dominance.
We will bring you all the latest action over the next three days of competition, starting with the four foursomes matches which are due to start at 12:05pm BST.
From around 5:50pm today, the fourball matches will begin. The same layout will take place again tomorrow, before 12 singles matches on Sunday.
There are 28 matches in total across the weekend, meaning 28 points are up for grabs. The team that reaches the 14-and-a-half point marker first will be victorious. Europe will retain the cup if the tournament ends in a draw.
These are the first four matches today (all times in BST):
12.05pm: Charley Hull (Eng) & E Henseleit (Ger) v Nelly Korda & Allisen Corpuz
12.17pm: Celine Boutier (Fr) & Albane Valenzuela (Switz) v Rose Zhang v Lauren Coughlin
12.29pm: Emily Pedersen (Den) & Maja Stark (Swe) v Ally Ewing & Jennifer Kupcho
12.41pm: Linn Grant (Swe) & Carlota Ciganda (Sp) v Lilia Vu & Sarah Schmelzel.
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Publish date : 2024-09-13 10:55:00
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