Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz etched their names into Solheim Cup lore on Friday by delivering a commanding performance against Charley Hull and Lottie Woad in the opening foursomes. Their decisive 4&3 win not only gave Team USA a crucial point but also marked a series of historic firsts for the American side.
The match took place at the Bernardus Golf venue, where the pair overcame an early setback after losing the first hole, then surged ahead to secure victory and set a new benchmark for consecutive foursomes triumphs. Hull entered the match with a strong Solheim Cup pedigree, having bested Korda in two of her three previous encounters, including a dominant 6&4 singles win two years earlier.
Despite that impressive record, Hull and her English partner Woad found themselves outmatched by the American duo’s relentless pressure and strategic play. After Woad’s birdie on the opening hole gave Europe a brief lead, Korda and Corpuz responded with a string of pars and birdies that shifted the momentum in their favor. From the sixth hole onward, the Americans seized control, stringing together three consecutive winning holes that left Hull and Woad scrambling.
The pair’s ability to capitalize on the par‑five fifth and then maintain composure on the subsequent holes demonstrated why they have become one of the most effective pairings in recent Solheim Cup history. Their performance was highlighted by a crucial birdie from Corpuz on the tenth and a steady par from Korda on the 15th, sealing the match and cementing their place as the first American team to win five foursomes matches together, as well as the first pair from either side to achieve five straight foursomes victories. The broader session saw Team USA and Team Europe each collect two points, leaving the competition finely balanced heading into the afternoon four‑ball matches.
In the second match, Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin rallied from behind to edge out Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Céline Boutier 3‑2, while in the third match, Swedish teammates Maja Stark and Linn Grant secured Europe’s first point by defeating Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho 3&2. The final match featured Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit overcoming Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 2up, ensuring the opening session ended in a tie – a rarity that has only occurred twice before in Solheim Cup history. Team USA captain Angela Stanford’s decision to start with Korda and Corpuz paid dividends.
The duo had already proven their chemistry by winning all their foursomes in the 2023 and 2024 editions, and they once again displayed seamless teamwork. Even when Woad managed a birdie on the first hole, the Americans quickly rebounded, illustrating their resilience and tactical awareness. "We just lost a bit of momentum at the end of the front nine," Woad admitted after the match. "They made a couple of birdies and we missed some good chances.
Once you lose momentum, it can be tough to come back." Her comments underscored the psychological edge that Korda and Corpuz were able to maintain throughout the round. The victory also broke the record for the most points ever accumulated by an American pair in Solheim Cup history, surpassing the previous mark of 4.5 points set by Dottie Pepper and Brandie Burton.
Korda’s personal tally of seven career foursomes points now ranks as the third‑highest total for a U.S. player, highlighting her consistency in the team format. Reflecting on the partnership, Korda praised Corpuz’s reliability: "I enjoy playing with her 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 mutual respect and complementary skill sets were evident in every shot, from precise iron play to clutch putting under pressure.
The other matches of the session provided additional drama. Lee and Coughlin’s comeback win was fueled by disciplined ball striking and strategic placement, allowing them to capitalize on Hull’s misstep when Madsen found water on the sixth tee. Their steady play earned them three of the next five holes, doubling the United States’ lead. Meanwhile, the Swedish pair of Grant and Stark built a four‑hole advantage early, with Grant’s bunker shot on the ninth preserving their lead.
Though Zhang and Kupcho rallied with back‑to‑back birdies on the tenth and eleventh, the Swedes held firm, securing the 15th and finishing the match on the 16th. Leona Maguire’s performance added another layer of significance. With 9.5 points from 13 Solheim Cup matches, she holds the highest points‑percentage in European Solheim Cup history among players with at least ten appearances. "I've been very fortunate to have great partners," Maguire said.
"A lot of those points have come from foursomes and fourball matches. The support from the crowd, the Irish and German flags, really spurred us on, especially when the weather turned miserable." The tied opening session sets the stage for a tightly contested remainder of the tournament.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage slated to resume Saturday morning. As the teams prepare for the four‑ball format, both sides will be looking to capitalize on the momentum they have built, while also addressing the areas where they fell short. The Solheim Cup, already steeped in tradition and rivalry, promises more excitement as the competition edges toward its decisive moments.