Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist had predicted that the first tee of the Solheim Cup would become "the place to be in the golfing world," and she was proved right when the opening day turned into a spectacle unlike anything seen before in women's golf. The horseshoe‑shaped grandstand that encircles the first tee at Bernardus Golf filled up well before sunrise, with almost 3,000 spectators already in place and countless more lining the fairway. The crowd created a party‑like buzz, a mix of noise, colour and excitement that felt more like a stadium concert than a traditional golf tournament. When United States captain Angela Stanford emerged from the tunnel onto the tee, she did so to a roar that made her break into a spontaneous dance.
Charley Hull, who had arrived earlier in the week, described the experience as "entering an arena," and both sides' vice‑captains added to the pandemonium, urging the fans to get even louder. A large banner reading "Dutch courage, European glory" hung prominently, underscoring how the Netherlands had turned the opening into a raucous celebration more akin to a football match or a darts night than a quiet round of golf. Anne van Dam, Nordqvist’s vice‑captain, took the microphone and led the audience in singing "Links Rechts," the unofficial anthem of the Dutch football team during the World Cup. The chant involved a lot of bouncing and side‑to‑side movement, and it quickly became a unifying moment for the crowd.
"It doesn't get better than this," Nordqvist said, marveling at the atmosphere. "The crowds are amazing. I don't think I've ever seen this many Europeans on the first tee." Fans dressed in banana costumes, stars‑and‑stripes suits and oversized golf bucket hats gathered at 7:20 a.m., creating a "brilliantly bonkers" scene. Their dancing and singing grew more intense as the opening pairs prepared to tee off.
Chants of "Let's go Europe, let's go!" reverberated through the stands, followed by the unmistakable opening notes of Europe's classic "Final Countdown" blasting from the speakers. The U.S. team's star‑studded opening duo arrived almost ten minutes early, eager to soak up the electric vibe.
Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz were the first to step onto the tee, quickly joined by Charley Hull and rookie Lottie Woad. Each arrival was marked by smoke cannons, thunderous applause, and clever adaptations of chants borrowed from other sports.
A large screen displayed a polite "quiet please" message before the first drives, and a playful version of the Beatles' "Hey Jude"—re‑written with Corpuz's name—was cut short as the players took their shots, ensuring everyone could hear the impact of the ball. The celebration continued after Lottie Woad recorded the event's opening birdie on the first green.
Team USA vice‑captain Paula Creamer, sporting a cowboy hat, and fan favourite Megan Khang joined the impromptu dance floor, showing that the fun was not limited to the European side. A chorus of "Ohhhh, Leona Maguire" rang out to the tune of Kings of Leon's "Sex on Fire," while a local DJ remixed Desmond Dekker's "Israelites" to include Esther Henseleit's name, adding a personal touch for the crowd. Fans recalled the chant "Europe's on fire, USA is terrified" that had become popular during last year's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, but this time they added a Maguire twist to honour the Irishwoman, who boasts one of the highest winning percentages in Solheim Cup history. Only one European veteran, Carlota Ciganda, sat out the opening session; she wore a Solheim Cup beanie and encouraged the newcomers to enjoy every moment of the week.
Ciganda danced alongside the debutants during "It's Raining Men" and even busted a move when a Vengaboys track spun, her grin never fading. The upbeat energy spread through the European camp. Maja Stark and Linn Grant sprinted to the crowd, swaying their hips to ABBA's karaoke staple "Dancing Queen" as they waited for their matches to begin.
Dame Laura Davies, a twelve‑time Solheim Cup competitor, praised the supporters, saying, "These people absolutely make it for the players. Without these brilliant fans, it's just not the same." A playful chant set to the melody of "Baby Shark"—"Maja Stark, doo‑doo, doo‑doo, doo‑doo"—caught on instantly, serving as an earworm that buoyed both Stark and Grant as they secured Europe’s first point of the competition. Even as the morning sunshine gave way to a persistent drizzle, the mood remained undampened. Strong galleries lined the fairways, cheering every shot during a tightly contested opening session that left the teams deadlocked at two points each.
After her victory, Leona Maguire reflected on the support, noting, "We had incredible support out here. They were really spurring us on, especially when the weather got bad and miserable.
It was that extra little bit we needed to grind it out." The afternoon session saw the noise level climb even higher. Former major champion Karen Stupples described the crowd as "insane," a sentiment echoed by many players who felt the atmosphere matched the quality of golf being played. If the on‑course performance lives up to the off‑course excitement, the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup could become one of the most memorable in its history. The combination of enthusiastic fans, music, costumes, and spontaneous chants turned the first tee into a cultural festival that celebrated both sport and national pride.
It demonstrated how modern golf events can blend traditional competition with entertainment, creating an environment where players feel energized and spectators feel included. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether the electric start translates into a decisive advantage for either side, but one thing is clear: the Solheim Cup’s opening day set a new benchmark for fan engagement in women's golf.