Charley Hull will once again find herself in a marquee duel, this time against world No.1 Nelly Korda, as the opening foursomes of the 2026 Solheim Cup get underway in the Netherlands. Hull, currently ranked eighth in the world, is making her eighth straight appearance for Team Europe and will tee off first for the hosts at Bernardus Golf alongside fellow English rookie Lottie Woad. The pair will be matched against the unbeaten American tandem of Korda and Allisen Corpuz, who have dominated the foursomes format in the two most recent Solheim Cups.
The American duo have won every foursomes match they have played together in the competition, and they will look to extend that flawless record when they step onto the first tee at 7:40 a.m. local time (6:40 a.m. BST).
Their success is a key part of Team USA's strategy to defend the trophy and to secure the first victory on European soil since the 2015 edition. The match is being billed as a showcase of the sport’s rising stars, with Hull and Korda representing the very top of the women’s game. Joining the headline pairing, Alison Lee – the only player from the United States who was part of the 2022 away win in Germany – will partner Lauren Coughlin. They will face European stalwart Céline Boutier and Denmark’s experienced Nanna Koerstz Madsen in the second foursomes match of the morning.
In the third match, Germany’s Esther Henseleit will be paired with Ireland’s Leona Maguire; the two have previously partnered with Hull in the 2024 Solheim Cup, and they will take on the American team of Andrea Lee and rookie Lindy Duncan. The final foursomes of the session will see Sweden’s Maja Stark join forces with fellow Swede Linn Grant to meet the formidable American pair of Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho.
The schedule for the opening morning is as follows: 0640 Charley Hull & Lottie Woad vs Allisen Corpuz & Nelly Korda 0652 Nanna Koerstz Madsen & Céline Boutier vs Alison Lee & Lauren Coughlin 0704 Esther Henseleit & Leona Maguire vs Andrea Lee & Lindy Duncan 0716 Maja Stark & Linn Grant vs Rose Zhang & Jennifer Kupcho Lottie Woad is the sole rookie selected by captain Anna Nordqvist for the first morning, a decision that reflects Europe’s desire to start more aggressively than they have in the opening sessions of the previous two Solheim Cups. In 2023, the United States swept the opening session, and in 2024 they built a 3‑1 lead before ultimately winning the event on home soil.
Europe, by contrast, has struggled to take an early lead in the first morning of the last six editions. Team USA captain Angela Stanford praised the chemistry between Korda and Corpuz, saying, "They have a nice rapport, so I felt they earned the right to go out first. If I hadn't put those two out, I would have been questioned – the whole world knew they were coming." Her confidence underscores the strategic weight the Americans place on their unbeaten partnership.
Hull, who was the top scorer for Europe in the 2024 loss and who beat Korda 6&4 in their Sunday singles match, is expected to be a pivotal figure for the home side this week. At 30, she combines experience with a fresh competitive edge and is likely to be paired with Woad again later in the tournament. European captain Nordqvist added, "Over the years the Solheim Cup has really grown on Charley. She’s been buzzing and 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 here together." Several European players will sit out the opening session. Rookies Mimi Rhodes, Nastasia Nadaud and Julia Lopez Ramirez are not in the first foursomes, nor is veteran Carlota Ciganda, who is making her eighth consecutive appearance. Angel Yin, a two‑time LPGA Tour winner, has also been left out of the morning but remains available for later matches after a fitness setback that limited her to just one 72‑hole event since May. From the United States, debutants Auston Kim, Megan Khang and Yealimi Noh are also resting for the first session.
The captain’s agreement mandates that every player must compete at least once over the first two days, ensuring that all team members will see action before the competition reaches its climax. For those unfamiliar with the foursomes format, it involves two golfers from the same team playing a single ball alternately, with each side taking turns on every shot.
Each match is worth one point, and the first team to reach 14½ points wins the Cup. The United States, as defending champions, need 14 points to retain the trophy, while Europe must secure 14½ to claim it.
Sky Sports Golf will provide extensive coverage, offering at least 12 hours of live broadcasting across the first two days. The coverage begins at 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday, leading up to the opening foursomes tee‑off at 6:40 a.m. local time (7:40 a.m. BST). The afternoon four‑ball sessions are slated for 12:05 p.m.
(1:05 p.m. local), and the final day’s singles will start at 9 a.m., with the first tee‑off at 10:10 a.m. Fans can watch the entire three‑day event live on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available on NOW without a contract. The tournament runs from September 11 to September 13, and viewers are encouraged to follow the drama as Team Europe strives to reclaim the Solheim Cup after a series of near‑misses in recent years.
For golf enthusiasts looking to play the courses featured in the competition, Sky Sports offers special deals on bookings at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. Interested parties can search by course name, city, or postal code to find the best rates and secure a tee time.