Charley Hull expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of another Solheim Cup clash with world No. 1 Nelly Korda, while Korda herself brushed off any notion of an "intimidation factor" that she might bring to Team Europe. Hull is gearing up for her eighth straight Solheim Cup appearance, representing Europe as they aim to reclaim the trophy at Bernardus Golf. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports after Europe’s loss on American soil two years earlier.
The 30‑year‑old Englishwoman was the top scorer for Europe in the 2024 defeat, beating Korda 6&4 in the Sunday singles. Hull says she would welcome the chance to meet Korda again in a singles match, especially as the United States team, led by Anna Nordqvist, pushes for a home victory. "Playing Nelly Korda that day was fantastic – it was a lot of fun," Hull said at her pre‑tournament press conference.
"I came out and played pretty well. Every dog has its day and I had mine, but she’s had an incredible season so far. If it came down to singles, it would be a great match. I have a lot of respect for Nelly.
She’s a great world No. 1, a great golfer and anything can happen in match play." Hull and fellow veteran Carlota Ciganda are the two Europeans with the most Solheim Cup experience, having featured in every edition since 2013. Despite this, Hull insists she does not feel extra pressure simply because she is a "veteran" of the competition.
"I see my role as a player, really," Hull continued. "I stick to my own routine as much as possible.
The captains are there for advice, and younger players can come to me for tips if they want. We keep to our normal preparation – each week we practice on our own, so we don’t try to change anything drastically.
All we have to do is hit the ball, stay focused, and play well." Korda arrives in the Netherlands for her fifth consecutive Solheim Cup, having dominated the women’s game this year with four LPGA victories, including the first two majors. At 28, she boasts one of the highest winning percentages in Solheim Cup history and has formed an unbeaten foursomes partnership with Allisen Corpuz in the last two editions. Andrea Lee, another U.S.
team member, praised Korda’s influence. "We all respect her a lot and look up to her," Lee said. "She has an amazing game and she’s the No. 1 player in the world, so it’s great to have her on our side.
It does add a little intimidation factor when we face Europe, because we know we have a player of her calibre." Korda, however, downplays any psychological edge. "Honestly, I don’t even think about that," she said. "I stay in my own bubble and try to be oblivious to the hype.
I just keep things simple, don’t over‑think, and go out and play my game. What I love about this tournament is the passion from both sides.
When Europe gets fired up, it pushes us to elevate our own play. I don’t set a target about intimidating anyone – if they feel that way, great. My focus is just to play my golf and hope the United States brings a lot of passion too." The tournament schedule promises extensive coverage from Sky Sports Golf, with at least twelve hours of live broadcast over the first two days.
Coverage begins at 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, leading up to the opening foursomes tee‑off at 6:40 a.m. (7:40 a.m.
local time). The afternoon four‑ball sessions start at 12:05 p.m. (1:05 p.m.
local), and the action continues until the final putt falls. Sunday’s singles competition kicks off at 9 a.m., with the first tee‑off at 10:10 a.m. Sky Sports+ will stream the closing ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday after the winning team is crowned, while the opening ceremony on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
will reveal the first‑day pairings. Beyond the immediate match‑play drama, the Solheim Cup carries broader significance for women’s golf.
It showcases the depth of talent across both continents, provides a platform for rising stars to learn from seasoned competitors, and fuels national pride. For Hull, the experience of playing alongside and against legends like Korda adds a layer of personal growth. For Korda, the event is another opportunity to cement her legacy as one of the sport’s most dominant figures. Fans can watch the entire three‑day competition live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13, with additional streaming options available via NOW without a contract.
The tournament not only decides which side lifts the trophy but also highlights the evolving dynamics of the women’s game, where emerging talent, strategic captaincy, and the ever‑present psychological battles intertwine to create compelling sport. Whether Europe can overturn the United States’ recent dominance remains to be seen, but with players like Hull, Ciganda, and Korda bringing a blend of experience and hunger, the contest promises to be fiercely contested. Meanwhile, Korda’s calm confidence and her refusal to be labeled an intimidation factor underline a modern athlete’s focus on personal performance over external narratives. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the world will be watching to see which side claims the coveted Solheim Cup this year.