Charley Hull will once again find herself in a high‑stakes duel with world No.1 Nelly Korda as the opening match of this year’s Solheim Cup gets underway in the Netherlands. Hull, currently ranked eighth in the world, is making her eighth straight appearance for Team Europe and will tee off first for the host nation at Bernardus Golf alongside fellow Englishwoman Lottie Woad. Woad is one of four rookies selected by captain Anna Nordqvist, and the pair will take on the unbeaten American duo of Korda and Allisen Corpuz in the Friday morning foursomes.
Korda and Corpuz have a perfect record in Solheim Cup foursomes, having won all four of their partnerships in the last two editions of the event. They will look to extend that streak when they start their round at 7:40 a.m.
local time (6:40 a.m. BST). The United States team is eager to retain the Cup and to secure a historic victory on European soil – the last time the Americans won in Europe was back in 2015.
In the second match of the morning, Alison Lee – the only American player who was part of the away win in Germany – will partner with Lauren Coughlin. They will face European stalwart Céline Boutier and Denmark’s returning veteran Nanna Koerstz Madsen.
The third foursome pits Esther Henseleit, who was paired with Hull in the 2024 Solheim Cup, alongside Ireland’s Leona Maguire against the American pair of Andrea Lee and rookie Lindy Duncan. Finally, Swedish teammates Maja Stark and Linn Grant will go head‑to‑head with the United States’ rising star Rose Zhang and seasoned competitor Jennifer Kupcho. The line‑up for the opening session is as follows: 06:40 Charley Hull & Lottie Woad vs Allisen Corpuz & Nelly Korda 06:52 Nanna Koerstz Madsen & Céline Boutier vs Alison Lee & Lauren Coughlin 07:04 Esther Henseleit & Leona Maguire vs Andrea Lee & Lindy Duncan 07:16 Maja Stark & Linn Grant vs Rose Zhang & Jennifer Kupcho Woad is the sole debutant fielded by Nordqvist for the first morning, and Europe is hoping for a stronger start than the sluggish opening sessions they endured in the previous two Solheim Cups. In 2023 the United States swept the opening session, creating a 14‑14 tie that ultimately led to a dramatic finish.
The following year they built a 3‑1 lead early and went on to win the Cup at home, a pattern Europe is keen to disrupt. Historically, Europe has struggled to lead after the first morning of the last six Solheim Cups, making this early match all the more crucial. Team USA captain Angela Stanford praised the chemistry between Korda and Corpuz, saying, "They have a nice rapport, so I felt they earned the right to go out first. If I didn’t put those two out, I would have been questioned – the whole world knew they were coming." The confidence in the American pair is evident, and their flawless foursome record adds pressure on Hull and Woad to deliver an upset.
Hull, who was Europe’s top scorer in the 2024 loss and who defeated Korda 6&4 in their Sunday singles encounter, is expected to be a pivotal figure for the home side throughout the competition. At 30 years old, she combines experience with a fresh enthusiasm for the event. Nordqvist remarked, "Over the years the Solheim Cup has really grown on Charley. She’s been buzzing and excited since she arrived on Monday.
She and Lottie have played together on the LPGA Tour this year, so they’re thrilled to be paired together here." Other notable absences from the opening session include European rookies Mimi Rhodes, Nastasia Nadaud and Julia Lopez Ramirez, as well as veteran Carlota Ciganda, who is also making her eighth consecutive appearance. Angel Yin, a two‑time LPGA Tour winner, was left out of the morning round but remains available for later matches after a fitness concern limited her to a single 72‑hole event since May. On the American side, debutants Auston Kim, Megan Khang and Yealimi Noh sit out the first session. The captain’s agreement ensures that every player must compete at least once over the first two days, so these golfers will likely feature in the afternoon four‑ball or later singles sessions.
For those unfamiliar with the format, foursomes involve two golfers from the same team playing alternate shots with a single ball. Each hole is contested as a single point, and the first team to reach 14½ points over the three‑day event claims the Cup.
The United States needs 14 points to retain the trophy, while Europe requires 14½ to win it outright. Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least twelve hours of live coverage across the first two days, beginning at 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday ahead of the opening foursomes tee‑times. The afternoon four‑ball sessions start at 12:05 p.m. (1:05 p.m.
local time) each day, with coverage continuing until the final putt drops. Sunday’s singles matches will kick off at 9 a.m., with the first tee‑off at 10:10 a.m. Fans eager to see whether Europe can reclaim the Solheim Cup can watch the entire three‑day competition live on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available via NOW without a contract.
The event runs from September 11‑13, promising intense competition, dramatic swings, and the chance for new heroes to emerge on the European stage.