Charley Hull and Lottie Woad to face unbeaten foursomes pair Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz on Friday morning at Bernardus Golf; Team USA have won the opening session the previous two Solheim Cups; By Ali Stafford at Bernardus Golf Charley Hull has been handed another blockbuster showdown with world No 1 Nelly Korda in the opening match of this year’s Solheim Cup in the Netherlands. The world No 8 makes her eighth consecutive appearance for Team Europe and will lead out the hosts at Bernardus Golf alongside compatriot Lottie Woad, one of four rookies in Anna Nordqvist’s team, with the English duo facing unbeaten Korda and Allisen Corpuz in the Friday foursomes. Korda and Corpuz have won all four foursomes matches together over the last two Solheim Cups and look to extend that perfect record when they tee off at 7.40am local time (6.40am BST), as Team USA begin their bid to retain the trophy and claim a first victory on European soil since 2015. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Alison Lee – the only player involved from that American away win in Germany – partners Lauren Coughlin, with the pair facing Team Europe stalwart Celine Boutier and Denmark’s returning Nanna Koerstz Madsen in the second match of the morning.
Esther Henseleit has been paired with Leona Maguire, having been paired with Hull in foursomes during her previous Solheim Cup appearance in 2024, with the pair taking on Andrea Lee and rookie Lindy Duncan, while Swedish duo Maja Stark and Linn Grant go up against Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho. 0640 Charley Hull and Lottie Woad vs Allisen Corpuz and Nelly Korda 0652 Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Celine Boutier vs Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin 0704 Esther Henseleit and Leona Maguire vs Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 0716 Maja Stark and Linn Grant vs Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho Woad is the only debutant sent out by Nordqvist on the opening morning, with Team Europe looking for a faster start than they’ve managed in the first session of the last two Solheim Cups. Team USA swept the opening session of the historic 14-14 tie in 2023 and built a 3-1 advantage on their way to home victory the following year, having previously failed to lead after the first morning of the previous six Solheim Cups. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player “They [Korda and Corpuz] have a nice rapport about them, so I felt like they earned the right to go out first,” Team USA captain Angela Stanford said. “I feel like if I didn’t put those two out, I would be questioned!
The whole world knew they were coming.” Hull top-scored for Europe in their 2024 loss and despatched Korda 6&4 in their Sunday singles clash, with the 30-year-old likely to play a key role in home hopes this week and always a likely playing partner for Woad. “I feel like over the years that the Solheim Cup has really grown on her [Hull],” Nordqvist said. “She has been buzzing and so excited since she got here on Monday. Her and Lottie have got to play quite a bit on the LPGA Tour this year, so I think they were very excited to be here with each other.” Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rookies Mimi Rhodes, Nastasia Nadaud and Julia Lopez Ramirez all sit out of the opening session for Team Europe, along with Carlota Ciganda in her eighth consecutive appearance.
Angel Yin has also been left out of the morning session but confirmed as available to feature later in the event, with the two-time LPGA Tour winner previously a fitness doubt after only completing one 72-hole event since May. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Debutant Auston Kim, Megan Khang and Yealimi Noh are the others to be benched for the opening session, while the captain’s agreement in place means every player has to play at least once over the first two days. Foursomes sees two golfers from Europe compete against a pair from the USA, with team members alternating between shots and each team using one ball. Each match is worth one point, with Team USA requiring 14 points this week to retain the trophy and either team needing 14.5 points for victory.
Sky Sports Golf will have at least 12 hours of live coverage from the first two days, with coverage getting under way at 6am on Friday and Saturday ahead of the opening foursomes match teeing off at 6.40am (7.40am local time). The afternoon fourballs are scheduled to start at 12.05pm (1.05pm local time) on both days, with coverage continuing until after the final putt is holed, while Sunday singles coverage begins at 9am ahead of the opening tee shot at 10.10am. Who will win the Solheim Cup? Watch Team Europe’s bid to regain the trophy exclusively live on Sky Sports, with all three days live from September 11-13 on Sky Sports Golf.
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