Carlota Ciganda produced a dramatic finish on the final hole that ensured Team Europe ended the first day of the Solheim Cup tied with Team USA at 4‑4. The Spanish star’s composure under pressure was the difference after a volatile opening round that saw Charley Hull and Lottie Woad surrender a sizable lead, allowing Europe’s top pairing to recover just in time. The morning foursomes were split evenly, with each side taking a half point.
The afternoon four‑ball session mirrored that pattern, as the American contingent, led by veteran Angela Stanford, appeared poised to claim an early advantage until Ciganda’s decisive shot turned the tide. On the 18th hole at Bernardus Golf, Ciganda sank a 15‑foot putt for par, securing a half point for herself and rookie partner Julia Lopez Ramirez against world No.1 Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin. That putt not only salvaged a point but also restored parity in a competition that has only been level after a day of play twice in its history.
In the afternoon, Anna Nordqvist stuck with the same partnership that had been beaten in the tied morning foursomes, sending Celine Boutier and Nanna Koerstz Madsen out to lead Europe once more. The pair, however, were overwhelmed by the American duo of Megan Khang and Alison Lee, who won 5&3.
Meanwhile, Hull and Woad seemed on the brink of their first victory together, pulling three holes ahead with seven to play. Their lead evaporated when Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin rallied, sharing the point after a fierce back‑and‑forth battle. Rookies Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud announced their Solheim Cup debuts with a convincing 2&1 win over Allisen Corpuz and Auston Kim, providing Europe with its sole full point of the afternoon.
The day’s final half‑point came from Ciganda and Lopez Ramirez’s dramatic finish, leaving the overall score dead‑locked at 4‑4 – a rare occurrence that heightens the stakes for the remaining sessions. Ciganda reflected on the importance of avoiding a loss, saying, "I think not losing today is important.
It's 4‑4 for the day, so big momentum going into tomorrow. Hopefully we can take that into tomorrow's foursomes and win both the morning and afternoon sides." Her words underscored the psychological edge that a tied score can provide, especially when the competition has been so tightly contested. The four‑ball opening match between Hull and Woad showcased Woad’s early dominance.
After Noh birdied the first hole, Woad responded by winning three consecutive holes from the third onward. Hull then produced a long‑range birdie on the sixth to push the European pair three up. The Americans clawed back two holes, but Woad’s eagle on the par‑five 10th and Hull’s subsequent birdie re‑established a comfortable lead.
Noh fought back fiercely, holing a 12‑footer on the 12th and nearly holing her tee shot on the 15th before securing a clutch birdie on the 17th and matching Hull’s par on the final hole. Woad summed up the match, "It was a very good match.
We had the lead for most of it, but they kept on fighting back. I think overall we played great but that putt on the last kind of described the back nine." Boutier and Madsen started the second European match two up after five holes, yet they could not withstand the relentless pressure from Khang and Lee.
The American pair posted an eight‑hole stretch of eight under par, clinching the session’s first point for the United States. Khang’s victory marked her sixth consecutive Solheim Cup win, extending an unbeaten run of nine matches dating back to 2021 – the second‑longest streak in the event’s history. "It's always nice seeing a big bird (eagle) and it definitely took the lid off for us," Khang remarked, praising her partner’s support.
Rhodes and Nadaud validated their captain’s selections by delivering Europe’s only full point of the afternoon. Their win set the stage for a dramatic showdown between Korda and Coughlin and the Spanish duo.
After falling two down with eight holes remaining, Korda and Coughlin surged to win three straight holes, briefly taking the lead. However, Ciganda’s birdie on the 16th re‑balanced the match. Both American players missed short birdie putts on the 18th, while Ciganda recovered from two errant shots to secure a par, prompting jubilant celebrations from the European camp.
Sky Sports Golf will broadcast at least twelve hours of live coverage across the first two days, with Saturday’s morning foursomes kicking off at 6:40 a.m. local time (6 a.m.
UK). The afternoon four‑ball matches begin at 12:05 p.m.
UK time and will run until the final putt drops. Sunday’s singles start at 9 a.m.
on Sky Sports Golf, with the opening tee‑off at 10:10 a.m. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports or stream via NOW with no contract required.
The competition remains wide open, and the tied score after day one promises an electrifying continuation as Europe seeks to reclaim the Solheim Cup trophy.