Charley Hull finds herself thrust into another marquee confrontation, this time against world No. 1 Nelly Korda, as the opening foursomes match of this year’s Solheim Cup gets underway on Dutch soil. Hull, currently ranked eighth in the world, is marking her eighth straight appearance for Team Europe and will open the competition alongside fellow Englishwoman Lottie Woad. Woad, one of four newcomers selected by captain Anna Nordqvist, will partner Hull in what promises to be a thrilling early test against the unbeaten American pair of Korda and Allisen Corpuz.
The American duo have been a force in the team format, having won every foursomes match they have played together over the past two Solheim Cups. Their chemistry and consistency give Team USA a solid foundation as they aim to retain the trophy and secure the first victory on European ground since 2015. The match is slated to begin at 7:40 a.m.
local time (6:40 a.m. BST), setting the tone for a weekend that could swing either way. In the second morning match, former U.S. player Alison Lee – the sole participant from the American away win in Germany – will join forces with Lauren Coughlin.
They will face European stalwart Celine Boutier and Denmark’s experienced Nanna Koerstz Madsen. The third pairing sees Germany’s Esther Henseleit paired with Ireland’s Leona Maguire; the two previously teamed up with Hull in the 2024 Solheim Cup foursomes and will now take on Andrea Lee and rookie Lindy Duncan. Finally, Sweden’s dynamic duo of Maja Stark and Linn Grant will square off against the American pair of Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho.
The line‑up for the opening morning reads as follows: - 06:40 Charley Hull & Lottie Woad vs. Allisen Corpuz & Nelly Korda - 06:52 Nanna Koerstz Madsen & Celine 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 only rookie to be thrown into the deep end on the first morning, a clear signal from Nordqvist that Europe wants a more aggressive start than the tentative openings of the previous two Solheim Cups. In 2023, Team USA swept the opening session of a historic 14‑14 tie, and they built a 3‑1 lead en route to a home‑soil victory the following year.
Historically, Europe has struggled to lead after the first morning in the last six editions, making this early match all the more critical. Team USA captain Angela Stanford expressed confidence in her decision to send Korda and Corpuz out first, noting their rapport and the expectation that they would be the pair to open the competition. "If I didn’t put those two out, I would have been questioned," Stanford said.
"The whole world knew they were coming." Hull, who topped the European scoresheet in the 2024 loss and famously beat Korda 6&4 in their Sunday singles clash, is expected to play a pivotal role for the home side this week. At 30, she brings both experience and a fierce competitive edge, and she is likely to remain a regular partner for Woad throughout the event. Nordqvist praised Hull’s development, saying the Solheim Cup has become a major part of her career.
"She’s been buzzing and so excited since she arrived on Monday. She and Lottie have played a lot together on the LPGA Tour this year, so they were thrilled to be paired," Nordqvist added. Several European players sit out the opening session, including rookies Mimi Rhodes, Nastasia Nadaud, and Julia Lopez Ramirez, as well as veteran Carlota Ciganda, who is making her eighth consecutive appearance.
Angel Yin is also rested for the morning but remains available for later rounds after a fitness‑related hiatus that limited her to a single 72‑hole event since May. On the American side, debutants Auston Kim, Megan Khang, and Yealimi Noh are also held out for the first session. The captain’s agreement ensures that every player must compete at least once over the first two days, guaranteeing a rotation that keeps fresh legs on the course. For those unfamiliar with the foursomes format, it involves two golfers from each side sharing a single ball, alternating shots until the hole is completed.
Each match is worth one point, and the first team to reach 14½ points wins the Cup, while the defending champions need 14 points to retain it. Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least 12 hours of live coverage across the first two days, beginning at 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday. The opening foursomes tee‑off at 6:40 a.m. BST (7:40 a.m. local time), followed by afternoon four‑ball matches at 12:05 p.m.
BST (1:05 p.m. local).
Sunday’s singles will start at 9 a.m., with the first tee‑off at 10:10 a.m. Fans can watch the entire European campaign live on Sky Sports, with the three‑day showdown scheduled for September 11‑13.
For those looking to combine golf with travel, Sky Sports also offers deals on rounds at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, allowing supporters to experience world‑class courses while following the Solheim Cup drama.