Richard Dean
Updated on: October 10, 2024 9:52 pm GMT
The United States has taken a strong early lead in the 2024 Solheim Cup, finishing the opening foursomes session with a commanding score of 3-1 against Europe at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia. This performance marks a notable shift for the U.S. team, which has established momentum as they look to reclaim the trophy after a tied outcome last year in Spain.
US Team Dominates Foursomes Session
The U.S. team showcased their skills with decisive victories in three out of four matches during Friday’s session. Each of their wins concluded on the 16th hole, with all matches finishing at 3&2, a clear indicator of their dominance throughout the morning play. Stacy Lewis, the U.S. captain, expressed satisfaction with her team’s strong start, reflecting on the importance of setting an early tone in such a highly competitive environment.
Key Performances
World number one Nelly Korda and partner Allisen Corpuz earned the first point for the U.S., securing a well-fought match against Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit. The pair took a strong lead early on, eventually finishing 3&2 after overcoming a brief resurgence from their European opponents.
Rose Zhang and Lauren Coughlin also contributed significantly, displaying resilience in their match against Celine Boutier and Albane Valenzuela. The Americans fell behind at times, but a series of wins beginning at the 12th hole helped them clinch their victory, with a final score of 3&2.
Additionally, Lilia Vu and rookie Sarah Schmelzel completed the American sweep by defeating Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant, mirroring their teammates’ performance with another 3&2 result. This consistent performance from the U.S. side has set a challenging precedent for Europe going into the remainder of the event.
Europe’s Lone Victory
Amid the U.S. dominance, Denmark’s Emily Pedersen and Sweden’s Maja Stark managed to secure the only point for Europe in a nail-biting finish. Although they started strong, going four up after just five holes, they faced intense pressure from Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho in the final stretch. Despite losing their advantage down the line, Stark and Pedersen held on to win their match on the 18th hole.
Europe’s captain, Suzann Pettersen, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but remained optimistic. Although they faced a daunting deficit, she pointed out the improvement from their previous encounter in last year’s Solheim Cup, where they trailed 4-0 after the opening session.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament continues, the U.S. team aims to maintain their momentum in the upcoming fourball sessions. Korda and Khang are slated to compete against Europe’s duo of Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire in the first match of the afternoon. Korda expressed confidence in her partnership with Khang, emphasizing their strong chemistry on the course.
With the United States leading 3-1 after the opening session, the pressure is now on Europe to rally and close the gap as they head into the next rounds of play. If they can build on their solitary point while correcting the issues present in the morning session, they may find a way to bounce back and shift the course of the competition.
Match Results Summary
- Match 1: Korda/Corpuz (USA) def. Hull/Henseleit (Europe) – 3&2
- Match 2: Zhang/Coughlin (USA) def. Boutier/Valenzuela (Europe) – 3&2
- Match 3: Vu/Schmelzel (USA) def. Ciganda/Grant (Europe) – 3&2
- Match 4: Stark/Pedersen (Europe) def. Ewing/Kupcho (USA) – 1 Up
As the Solheim Cup goes on, the pressure will increase. We still don’t know if Europe can bounce back from their early loss and give the strong U.S. team a tough fight. The excitement is building as the players get ready for what should be a thrilling afternoon of golf!
