Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz etched their names into Solheim Cup lore on Friday, delivering a commanding performance against Charley Hull and Lottie Woad in the opening foursomes session. The match, played at Bernardus Golf, ended in a 4&3 victory for the American duo, marking a series of firsts for the United States team and setting a dramatic tone for the rest of the competition. Hull entered the day with a strong personal record against Korda, having won two of their three previous Solheim Cup encounters, including a decisive 6&4 singles triumph two years earlier.
Despite that pedigree, Hull and her English partner Woad found themselves on the back foot from the outset. The opening hole was claimed by Woad with a birdie, but the Americans quickly regained composure after a modest stumble on the first tee. From the sixth hole onward, Korda and Corpuz seized momentum, stringing together three consecutive wins that swung the match firmly in their favor. The pair’s comeback after dropping the first hole was a showcase of resilience and strategic play.
Their ability to capitalize on pars and occasional birdies while limiting mistakes forced Hull and Woad into a reactive stance. By the time the match reached the twelfth and thirteenth holes, the Americans had built a comfortable lead, and a steady par on the par‑three 15th sealed the win. In doing so, Korda and Corpuz became the first American partnership ever to claim five foursomes victories together in Solheim Cup history, and the first pair from either side to achieve five straight wins in any format. Beyond the headline‑grabbing win, the session featured several other notable performances.
Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin rallied from a deficit to defeat Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and France’s Celine Boutier 3‑2, contributing two points to the United States tally despite rain‑soaked conditions. Meanwhile, Sweden’s dynamic duo of Maja Stark and Linn Grant secured the first point for Team Europe by beating rising American star Rose Zhang and seasoned competitor Jennifer Kupcho 3&2. In the final match of the morning, Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit edged out Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 2‑up, ensuring the opening session concluded in a rare tie – only the third such occurrence in the tournament’s history. Team USA captain Angela Stanford’s decision to start Korda and Corpuz proved prescient.
The pair had already proven their chemistry by winning all their foursomes matches in the 2023 and 2024 editions, and they once again demonstrated why they are the partnership to watch. After Woad’s early birdie, the Americans methodically reclaimed control, using precise iron play and solid putting to neutralize any comeback attempts.
"We just lost a bit of momentum at the end of the front nine," Woad admitted after the match, noting that a couple of missed opportunities allowed the Americans to pull ahead. "They made a couple birdies and we missed some good chances. I think once you lose momentum, it can be tough to come back." The victory also set a new benchmark for American pairs. Korda and Corpuz now hold the record for the most points earned by an American duo in Solheim Cup play, surpassing the previous mark of 4.5 points set by Dottie Pepper and Brandie Burton.
Additionally, Korda’s seven career points in foursomes rank her third on the all‑time list for Team USA, underscoring her consistent contribution to the event. Korda praised her teammate’s reliability, saying, "I enjoy playing with her [Corpuz] so much.
We have a lot of fun out there. She's just such a solid player. It's really good to rely on her and it's also fun." Their camaraderie was evident throughout the round, as they communicated effectively and maintained a positive attitude even when faced with challenging holes.
On the European side, the second match saw Hull and Woad briefly take the lead until Madsen’s wayward tee shot landed in water on the sixth hole, turning the tide in favor of Lee and Coughlin. The American pair then captured three of the next five holes, ultimately securing a 3‑2 win that doubled Team USA’s overall lead.
The bottom match highlighted the Swedish pair’s aggressive play. Grant and Stark surged ahead with a four‑hole lead after seven holes, and Grant’s spectacular bunker shot on the ninth preserved their advantage.
Although Zhang and Kupcho rallied with back‑to‑back wins on the tenth and eleventh, the Swedes held steady, clinching the 15th and 16th holes to seal their victory. Leona Maguire’s performance continued to impress.
With 9.5 points from 13 Solheim Cup matches, she boasts the highest points‑percentage in European Solheim Cup history among players with at least ten appearances. Her partnership with Henseleit proved just as effective, as they battled to the final hole before emerging 2‑up. Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least twelve hours of live action over the first two days, with Saturday’s morning foursomes kicking off at 6:40 am local time (7:40 am BST) and the afternoon four‑ball matches beginning at 12:05 pm (1:05 pm BST). Sunday’s singles competition is slated to start at 9:00 am (10:00 am BST), with the opening tee‑off at 10:10 am (11:10 am BST).
Fans eager to follow the drama can watch the entire event live on Sky Sports Golf or stream via NOW with no contract required. As the Solheim Cup progresses, the balance of power remains finely poised. With Team USA holding a narrow lead after the morning session, the afternoon four‑ball matches will be crucial in determining which side gains the momentum needed to claim the coveted trophy.
The historic achievements of Korda and Corpuz have already added a new chapter to Solheim Cup history, and the tournament promises many more memorable moments as the world’s top women golfers continue to battle for pride, prestige, and a place in the annals of the sport.