Team Europe’s captain, Anna Nordqvist, predicted that the Solheim Cup’s opening tee would become the epicentre of the golfing world, and her forecast proved spot on as she observed a spectacle unlike anything previously seen in women’s golf. The horseshoe‑shaped grandstand that encircles the first tee at Bernardus Golf filled up well before sunrise, with close to three thousand spectators already in place and even more fans lining the fairway. The result was a carnival‑like roar of noise and excitement that set the tone for the competition. When United States captain Angela Stanford emerged from the tunnel and stepped onto the tee, she broke into a spontaneous dance, a moment that Charley Hull earlier described as feeling "like entering an arena." Vice‑captains from both teams amplified the fervour, trying to out‑shout each other and pump up the crowd even further.
A prominent banner proclaimed "Dutch courage, European glory," and the Dutch hosts delivered a boisterous ambience that resembled a football stadium or a darts tournament more than a traditional golf setting. Nordqvist’s vice‑captain, Anne van Dam, seized the microphone and led the audience in singing "Links Rechts," a tune that had become the unofficial anthem of the Dutch football squad during the World Cup. The song, with its characteristic bounce, got everyone moving. "It doesn’t get any better than this," Nordqvist exclaimed about the vibe.
"The crowds are amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many Europeans on the first tee." Fans arrived dressed in banana costumes, stars‑and‑stripes suits, and quirky golf bucket hats, all jumping together at 7:20 a.m. The scene was delightfully chaotic, and the dancing and chanting grew louder as the first pairs prepared to tee off.
Chants of "Let’s go Europe, let’s go!" rang through the stands before the classic riff of Europe’s "The Final Countdown" blasted from the speakers. The United States’ star‑studded opening duo arrived almost ten minutes early, clearly eager to soak up the electric atmosphere. Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz were soon joined by Charley Hull and rookie Lottie Woad. Each pair’s entrance was marked by smoke cannons, thunderous applause, and cleverly adapted chants borrowed from other sports.
A large screen displayed a polite "quiet please" message before the first drives, and a playful, Corpuz‑inspired twist on the Beatles’ "Hey Jude" was quickly silenced as players took their swings. The party continued long after Woad secured the opening birdie on the first green.
Team USA’s vice‑captain Paula Creamer, sporting a cowboy hat, and fan favourite Megan Khang joined in the dancing, while a chorus of "Ohhhh, Leona Maguire" was sung to the tune of Kings of Leon’s "Sex on Fire." Even Desmond Dekker’s classic "Israelites" was re‑worked to celebrate Esther Henseleit’s name. Fans recalled the chant "Europe’s on fire, USA is terrified" that echoed throughout last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, and a Maguire‑themed version resurfaced to honour the Irishwoman, who boasts one of the highest winning percentages in Solheim Cup history.
Veteran Carlota Ciganda, the only European with prior Solheim experience on the course, sat out the opening session but kept the mood light, wearing a Solheim Cup beanie and encouraging the newcomers to enjoy every moment of the week. Ciganda danced alongside the rookies during "It’s Raining Men" and even joined a Vengaboys track, never losing her grin. The positive energy spread through the European camp; Maja Stark and Linn Grant sprinted to the crowd, swaying to ABBA’s karaoke staple "Dancing Queen" as they waited for their match to begin. Dame Laura Davies, a twelve‑time Solheim veteran, summed it up: "These people absolutely make it for the players.
Without these brilliant fans, it’s just not the same." A playful chant to the tune of "Baby Shark"—"Maja Stark, doo‑doo, doo‑doo, doo‑doo"—caught on, serving as an ear‑worm that buoyed both Stark and Grant as they secured Europe’s first point. Even as the morning sunshine gave way to a persistent drizzle, the enthusiasm never waned.
Strong galleries lined the fairways, watching a tightly contested opening session that left the teams dead‑locked at two points each. After her win, Leona Maguire praised the supporters: "We had incredible support out here. They were really spurring us on, especially when the weather turned bad and miserable. It was that extra little bit we needed to grind it out." The noise level peaked during the afternoon round, with former major champion Karen Stupples describing the crowds as "insane." If the quality of golf matches the fervour of the spectators, the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup could become one of the most memorable tournaments in the event’s history.
Who will ultimately lift the Solheim Cup? Catch Team Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days streamed on Sky Sports Golf or via NOW for contract‑free viewing.