Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist predicted that the Solheim Cup’s opening tee would become the focal point of the golfing world, and she was proved right when she witnessed a scene unlike any other in women’s golf. The horseshoe‑shaped grandstand that encircles the first tee at Bernardus Golf filled up well before sunrise, with almost 3,000 fans already in place and countless more lining the fairways, turning the area into a buzzing, party‑like arena.
U.S. captain Angela Stanford made a theatrical entrance, dancing out of a tunnel onto the tee. Charley Hull earlier described the experience as feeling "like entering an arena," and vice‑captains from both sides amplified the noise, urging the crowd to get even louder.
A prominent banner proclaimed "Dutch courage, European glory," reflecting the host nation’s effort to turn the opening into a spectacle more reminiscent of a football stadium or a darts tournament than a traditional golf course. Nordqvist’s vice‑captain, Anne van Dam, seized the microphone and led the audience in "Links Rechts," the unofficial anthem of the Dutch football team during the World Cup, complete with rhythmic bouncing that got everyone moving. "It doesn’t get better than this," Nordqvist exclaimed, marveling at the sea of European supporters gathered at the tee.
"I’ve never seen this many Europeans here before." Fans arrived in an eclectic mix of banana costumes, stars‑and‑stripes outfits, and novelty golf bucket hats, all dancing together at 7:20 a.m. The scene was delightfully chaotic, with chants of "Let’s go Europe, let’s go!" echoing through the stands just before the classic riff of Europe’s "The Final Countdown" roared from the speakers.
The U.S. team’s star‑studded opening pair even showed up nearly ten minutes early, eager to soak in the electric atmosphere. When Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz stepped onto the tee, they were quickly joined by Charley Hull and rookie Lottie Woad.
Each arrival was marked by a burst of 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 version of the Beatles’ "Hey Jude," re‑written with Corpuz’s name, was cut short to allow the players a moment of respectful silence. The celebration did not end with the first birdie, which Woad recorded on the opening green.
Team USA vice‑captain Paula Creamer, sporting a cowboy hat, and fan‑favorite Megan Khang kept the dance floor alive with their own moves. A raucous rendition of "Ohhhh, Leona Maguire" set to the tune of Kings of Leon’s "Sex on Fire" rang out, while Desmond Decker’s classic "Israelites" was cleverly re‑written to include 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, this time giving it a Maguire twist to honor the Irish star, whose winning percentage in Solheim Cup play is among the best ever. Only one European veteran, Carlota Ciganda, sat out the opening session, but even she wore a Solheim Cup beanie and encouraged the newcomers to savor every moment of the week.
Ciganda danced alongside the rookies during "It’s Raining Men" and later when a Vengaboys track spun, never losing her grin. Her upbeat 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 prepared for their match.
"These people absolutely make it for the players," remarked Dame Laura Davies, a twelve‑time Solheim Cup veteran. "Without these brilliant fans, it just isn’t the same." The crowd even turned the melody of Baby Shark into an ear‑worm chant – "Maja Stark, doo‑doo, doo‑doo, doo‑doo" – that lifted both Stark and Grant as they secured Europe’s first point. A brief spell of sunshine gave way to a light, persistent drizzle, but the rain did little to dampen spirits. Galleries remained packed along the fairways, watching a tightly contested opening session that left the teams dead‑locked at two points each.
After her win, Maguire praised the support: "They were really spurring us on, especially when the weather turned bad. It gave us that extra push we needed to grind it out." The noise level climbed even higher during the afternoon session. Former major champion Karen Stupples described the spectators as "insane," noting that the fervor matched the intensity of the golf being played. If the quality of play on the course lives up to the electric atmosphere surrounding it, the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup could become one of the most memorable chapters in the event’s history.
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 streamed on Sky Sports Golf and on the NOW platform without a contract.