Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz etched their names into Solheim Cup lore on Friday by delivering a commanding performance against Charley Hull and Lottie Woad in the opening foursomes match. Their decisive 4&3 win not only gave Team USA an early advantage but also established a historic milestone: the American duo became the first pair in Solheim Cup history to capture five foursomes victories together, and they were the first team—American or European—to string together five consecutive match wins in the competition. The match took place at Bernardus Golf, where Hull entered with a strong pedigree against Korda. Hull had previously defeated Korda in two of her three Solheim Cup encounters, including a decisive 6&4 singles triumph two years earlier.
Despite that pedigree, Hull and her English partner Woad struggled to find rhythm against the American pair. After an opening birdie by Woad that gave Europe the first hole, Korda and Corpuz quickly recovered, taking the next three holes and establishing a lead that would prove insurmountable. The Americans’ momentum surged on the sixth hole, a par‑five that they turned into a three‑stroke swing, winning three consecutive holes from the sixth through the eighth. Hull and Woad, who had been playing well in the early stages of the round, could not answer the surge; their shots fell short of the mark and they missed several birdie opportunities that might have kept them in contention.
By the time the pair reached the 12th and 13th holes, both teams were playing steady pars, but a timely birdie from Woad on the 14th narrowed the gap briefly. Korda and Corpuz, however, sealed the match with a solid par on the 15‑yard 15th, clinching a 4&3 victory. In the post‑match interview, Woad reflected on the swing in momentum, saying, "We just lost a bit of momentum at the end of the front nine.
They made a couple birdies and we missed some good chances. Once you lose momentum, it can be tough to come back." Korda praised her partner, noting, "I enjoy playing with her [Corpuz] so much. We have a lot of fun out there. She's just such a solid player.
It's really good to rely on her and it's also fun." The win pushed the cumulative points for Korda and Corpuz to a record‑breaking 5.0, surpassing the previous American record of 4.5 points set by Dottie Pepper and Brandie Burton. Korda’s personal tally of seven career foursomes points now ranks as the third‑highest total ever recorded for Team USA.
The rest of the opening session was equally dramatic. Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin rallied from a deficit to beat Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and France’s Celine Boutier 3‑2, giving the United States a second point. Their comeback was fueled by consistent fairway play and a series of clutch birdies that turned the tide after an early lag. On the European side, the Swedish pair of Maja Stark and Linn Grant secured Team Europe’s first point by defeating the American duo of Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho 3&2.
Their victory was highlighted by a spectacular bunker shot by Grant on the ninth hole, which preserved a four‑hole lead that they maintained to the finish. Meanwhile, Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit edged out Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 2‑up, delivering Europe’s third point of the session. Maguire’s performance added to her impressive Solheim Cup résumé: she has amassed 9.5 points from 13 matches, the highest points‑per‑match percentage in European Solheim Cup history for players with at least ten appearances. She attributed her success to strong partnerships, stating, "I’ve been very fortunate to have great partners—many of those points have come from foursomes and fourball matches." The opening session concluded with the overall score tied, marking only the third time in the tournament’s history that the first day ends in a dead heat.
The weather, a steady drizzle that turned the course into a slick, added an extra layer of challenge, testing the players’ ability to adapt their shot selection and maintain composure. Team USA captain Angela Stanford’s strategic decision to start with Korda and Corpuz paid dividends. The pair had already proven their chemistry by winning every foursomes match they played together in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Cup. Their seamless communication, complementary playing styles, and shared confidence created a template for future pairings.
Looking ahead, the competition shifts to the afternoon four‑ball matches, where each player will play her own ball and the better score on each hole counts. With the overall score level, both continents will be eager to seize the momentum. The United States will aim to extend the lead built by Korda, Corpuz, Lee, and Coughlin, while Europe will look to capitalize on the resilience shown by Stark, Grant, Maguire, and Henseleit. Fans worldwide can continue to follow the drama live on Sky Sports, with coverage set to resume Saturday at 6 a.m.
on Sky Sports Golf. For those unable to watch via traditional broadcast, streaming options are available through NOW, offering contract‑free access to the action. Beyond the competition itself, the Solheim Cup remains a celebration of women’s golf, showcasing the sport’s growing popularity across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and beyond.
With 1,700 courses across the region offering special rates for visitors, enthusiasts are encouraged to experience the game firsthand, whether by playing a round at a historic venue or simply enjoying the excitement of a world‑class tournament. In summary, Friday’s foursomes session delivered a blend of historic achievements, thrilling comebacks, and tightly contested matches that set the stage for a captivating second day.
The record‑setting performance of Korda and Corpuz, the resilient displays from both teams, and the ever‑present element of unpredictable weather all contribute to a Solheim Cup narrative that promises more unforgettable moments as the tournament progresses.