Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz etched their names into Solheim Cup lore on Friday when they delivered a commanding performance against England's Charley Hull and fellow rookie Lottie Woad in the opening foursomes match. The American duo’s decisive 4&3 win not only gave Team USA an early edge but also marked a historic milestone: they became the first American pair ever to accumulate five foursomes victories together in Solheim Cup play, and the first partnership from either side to string together five consecutive match wins.
Hull entered the match with a strong pedigree against Korda, having secured two wins in three previous Solheim Cup encounters, including a dominant 6&4 singles triumph two years earlier. Yet the momentum shifted quickly after the first hole, when Woad’s birdie gave Europe a brief lead. Korda and Corpuz rebounded, erasing the deficit and then pulling ahead with a string of solid pars and timely birdies. Their surge from the sixth hole onward saw them capture three holes in a row, establishing a comfortable cushion that they maintained through the remainder of the round.
The match unfolded at Bernardus Golf, where the weather was unsettled and rain threatened to dampen play. Despite the conditions, the American pair kept their composure. After a cautious start, they seized control on the par‑five fifth, where neither side could capitalize, but the Americans pressed forward on the subsequent holes.
Hull and Woad struggled to find their rhythm, and the pressure of Korda’s powerful drives combined with Corpuz’s steady iron play proved too much for the English team. When the pair reached the 12th and 13th holes, pars were sufficient to preserve their lead. Woad managed a birdie on the 14th, briefly narrowing the margin, but Korda and Corpuz responded with a steady par on the 15th, sealing the victory.
In post‑match comments, Woad lamented the loss of momentum after the front nine, noting, "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." The win pushed the American tally to a record‑breaking 5.0 points for a single partnership, surpassing the previous best of 4.5 points set by Dottie Pepper and Brandie Burton. Korda’s personal total of seven career foursomes points now ranks as the third‑highest in Team USA history, underscoring her consistency in the team format. "I enjoy playing with her [Corpuz] so much," Korda said, smiling.
"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." Other matches in the session added to the drama.
Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin rallied from behind to defeat Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and France’s Celine Boutier 3‑2, delivering a crucial point for the United States. Their comeback came after Europe had taken an early lead, but a mis‑step by Madsen—who found water on the sixth tee—shifted the momentum. Lee reflected on the team's steadiness, stating, "This whole morning we just played super consistent.
We kept it in the fairway, kept it on the greens, gave each other birdie chances when we could. I'm just really happy with how we performed." On the European side, the Swedish tandem of Maja Stark and Linn Grant secured the first point for Team Europe by beating rising American stars Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho 3&2.
Their performance was highlighted by a dramatic bunker shot by Grant on the ninth, which preserved a four‑hole lead and ultimately forced the Americans into a scramble. After Zhang and Kupcho rallied with back‑to‑back birdies on the 10th and 11th, the Swedes steadied themselves with a par on the 15th and clinched the match on the 16th. Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit also delivered a tight victory, edging out Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan 2‑up after a grueling battle that stretched to the final hole.
Maguire, who now boasts 9.5 points from 13 Solheim Cup matches—the highest points‑per‑match ratio in European Solheim Cup history for players with at least ten appearances—credited 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." Maguire also praised the enthusiastic support from the crowd, noting the sea of Irish and German flags that lifted the players’ spirits despite the inclement weather. "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 that weather got bad and miserable!" The opening session concluded with the scores level, marking only the third time in Solheim Cup history that the competition has been tied after the first day.
Both teams now head into the afternoon four‑ball matches with a delicate balance of confidence and caution. Team USA captain Angela Stanford’s decision to start with Korda and Corpuz paid dividends, reinforcing the pair’s reputation after flawless performances in 2023 and 2024. Looking ahead, the tournament’s narrative will hinge on whether the Americans can maintain their momentum or if the Europeans, buoyed by the early points from Stark, Grant, Maguire, and Henseleit, can rally to reclaim the Cup.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage slated to resume Saturday at 6 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf, and streaming options available via NOW without a contract.
The Solheim Cup remains one of golf’s most passionate showcases, and the drama unfolding at Bernardus Golf promises more thrilling moments as the competition intensifies.