Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist predicted that the Solheim Cup’s opening tee would become the focal point 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 countless more lining the fairway. The result was a party‑like ambience, a cacophony of cheers, chants and music that turned the usually serene opening hole into a stadium‑style celebration.
When United States captain Angela Stanford emerged from the tunnel 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 sides amplified the excitement, using megaphones and music to keep the energy soaring. A large banner reading "Dutch courage, European glory" fluttered above the crowd, underscoring the host nation’s determination to create an environment that resembled a football stadium or a darts tournament more than a traditional golf course.
Nordqvist’s vice‑captain, Anne van Dam, seized the microphone and led the audience in a rendition of "Links Rechts," the unofficial anthem of the Dutch national football team during the World Cup. The song, with its distinctive bounce and rhythmic clapping, got the crowd moving and set the tone for what would become a day of unbridled enthusiasm. "It doesn’t get better than this," Nordqvist exclaimed, marveling at the sea of fans. "The crowds are amazing.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many Europeans on the first tee." Her observation was echoed by many: stands were filled with fans in banana costumes, stars‑and‑stripes suits, and brightly coloured golf bucket hats, all jumping and chanting together at 7:20 a.m. The scene was at once surreal and exhilarating, a brilliant display of fan devotion that only grew louder as the first matches approached. Chants of "Let’s go Europe, let’s go!" reverberated through the grandstand, followed by the iconic opening notes of Europe’s "The Final Countdown" blaring from the speakers.
The U.S. team’s star‑studded opening pair arrived nearly ten minutes early, eager to soak up the electric atmosphere before they teed off.
Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz were quickly joined by Charley Hull and rookie Lottie Woad. Each arrival was punctuated by smoke cannons, thunderous applause, and clever adaptations of chants borrowed from other sports.
A prominent screen displayed a polite "quiet please" reminder before the first drives, and a playful version of the Beatles’ classic "Hey Jude," re‑worked to reference Corpuz, was cut short so the players could concentrate on their swings. The celebration didn’t end with the first tee shots. After Lottie Woad recorded the opening birdie on the first green, Team USA vice‑captain Paula Creamer—sporting her signature cowboy hat—joined fan favourite Megan Khang in a spontaneous dance routine. The crowd sang a raucous rendition of "Ohhhh, Leona Maguire" to the tune of Kings of Leon’s "Sex on Fire," while Dutch fan Desmond Decker’s chant "Israelites" was cleverly altered to honour Esther Henseleit.
Fans recalled the chant "Europe’s on fire, USA is terrified" that echoed throughout last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, and this time they added a Maguire twist to celebrate the Irishwoman, who boasts one of the highest winning percentages in Solheim Cup history. Only one experienced European, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, sat out the opening session, but even she was in high spirits, wearing a Solheim Cup beanie and encouraging the newcomers to enjoy every moment. She danced arm‑in‑arm with the rookies during "It’s Raining Men" and bobbed to a Vengaboys hit, her grin never fading.
The positive vibes rippled through the European camp. Maja Stark and Linn Grant sprinted to the crowd, swaying to ABBA’s karaoke staple "Dancing Queen" while awaiting their match. Dame Laura Davies, a twelve‑time Solheim Cup veteran, praised the fans, saying, "These people absolutely make it for the players.
Without these brilliant fans, it’s just not the same." A whimsical chant to the tune of "Baby Shark"—"Maja Stark, doo‑doo, doo‑doo, doo‑doo"—caught on, providing a catchy earworm that lifted the Swede’s spirits as she and Grant secured Europe’s first point of the day. Even when the weather shifted from bright sunshine to a persistent drizzle, the enthusiasm never waned. Strong galleries continued to line the fairways, cheering each shot as the opening session concluded with the teams tied at two points apiece. After her victory, Leona Maguire remarked, "We had incredible support out here.
They were really spurring us on, especially when the weather got bad and miserable. It was that extra little bit we needed to grind it out." The afternoon session saw the noise level climb even higher.
Former major champion Karen Stupples described the crowds as "insane," noting that the roar from the stands rivalled the intensity of any major tournament. 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 chapters in the event’s history.
The question on everyone’s mind remains: who will ultimately lift the Solheim Cup? Fans can follow Team Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports, with all three days broadcast on Sky Sports Golf. Viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract on NOW.