Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz etched their names into Solheim Cup lore on Friday, delivering a commanding performance against Charley Hull and Lottie Woad in the opening foursomes round. Their decisive 4&3 win not only secured a point for Team USA but also marked a historic milestone: they became the first American duo ever to capture five consecutive foursomes victories in Solheim Cup competition, and the first pair from either side to achieve a five‑match winning streak. Hull entered the match with a strong pedigree against Korda, having triumphed in two of her three previous Solheim Cup encounters with the American, including a dominant 6&4 singles win two years earlier. Nevertheless, the opening match at Bernardus Golf proved a different story.
After Woad captured the first hole with a birdie, Korda and Corpuz quickly found their rhythm, clawing back the deficit and then pulling ahead with a series of clutch shots that saw them dominate from the sixth hole onward. The American pair’s momentum surged as they won three straight holes, effectively turning the tide. While the par‑five fifth hole offered no advantage to either side, the sixth, seventh, and eighth holes saw Korda and Corpuz string together birdies and pars, leaving Hull and Woad scrambling to regain footing. By the time they reached the 12th and 13th holes, the Americans were firmly in control, and a birdie from Woad on the 14th was insufficient to close the gap.
Korda sealed the victory with a steady par on the par‑three 15th, cementing a 4&3 result. In post‑match comments, Woad reflected on the shift in momentum: "We just lost a bit of momentum at the end of the front nine. They made a couple of birdies and we missed some good chances.
Once you lose momentum, it can be tough to come back." The win propelled Korda and Corpuz to a new record for the most points ever earned by an American pair in Solheim Cup history, surpassing the previous benchmark of 4.5 points set by Dottie Pepper and Brandie Burton. Korda’s cumulative seven points in foursomes now rank as the third‑highest total for any United States player. Korda praised her partnership with Corpuz, saying, "I enjoy playing with her 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." Their chemistry on the course was evident, as they consistently found fairways, hit greens in regulation, and capitalized on birdie opportunities.
The day’s action extended beyond the headline match. Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin staged a remarkable comeback of their own, overturning an early deficit to defeat Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Celine Boutier 3‑2.
Their resilience helped Team USA pull ahead with a two‑point lead heading into the afternoon four‑ball matches, despite the rain‑soaked conditions that added an extra layer of difficulty. On the European side, the Swedish tandem of Maja Stark and Linn Grant secured Team Europe’s first point by beating Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho 3&2. Their performance was highlighted by a dramatic bunker shot from Grant on the ninth hole, which preserved a four‑hole lead and ultimately clinched the win. Meanwhile, Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit edged out Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 2‑up after a tightly contested battle that went to the final hole.
Maguire’s contribution to the European effort was particularly noteworthy. With 9.5 points from 13 Solheim Cup matches, she holds the highest points‑per‑match percentage in European Solheim Cup history among players with at least ten appearances. She attributed her success to strong partnerships: "I’ve been very fortunate to have great partners – a lot of those points have come from foursomes and fourball matches." The atmosphere at Bernardus was electric, amplified by a sea of flags representing Ireland, Germany, and other nations. Maguire highlighted the crowd’s impact, noting, "We had incredible support out here.
There were a lot of Irish flags and German flags and they were really spurring us on, especially when the weather got bad and miserable!" Overall, the opening session ended in a tie, marking only the third time in Solheim Cup history that the first day concluded with an even score. Both teams displayed flashes of brilliance, strategic shot‑making, and unwavering determination, setting the stage for a tightly contested remainder of the tournament. Looking ahead, the competition will shift to four‑ball matches on Saturday morning, where each player will play her own ball and the best score on each hole will count.
Fans can continue to follow the drama live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday.
For those unable to watch via traditional broadcast, streaming options are available through NOW without a contract, ensuring that golf enthusiasts worldwide can stay tuned to every swing, putt, and pivotal moment as the Solheim Cup battle intensifies.