GAINESVILLE, Va. – The U.S. Solheim Cup staff is following the lead of the world No. 1.
Nelly Korda, despatched out first in each of her matches Friday, put the hammer down within the afternoon, recording 4 birdies and two eagles to associate with Megan Khang and ship a convincing 6-and-4 victory that helped set the tone for the People throughout a day of blowouts.
Searching for their first Solheim Cup title since 2017, the People maintain a 6-2 lead at Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership – the primary time within the historical past of the occasion {that a} staff has opened up that vast of a margin after the primary day.
Korda turned the primary U.S. participant to win her two Day 1 matches by at the very least a three-hole margin. However she wasn’t the one standout: Rookies Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel put two factors on the board – the latter, collectively, within the afternoon fourballs – in what regarded like a stroke of genius from captain Stacy Lewis. Rose Zhang additionally gained each of her matches after a disappointing 2023 Solheim debut.
Final yr in Spain, Europe bought swept within the opening foursomes however rallied within the afternoon by successful the session to chop the deficit.
That didn’t occur this time, with U.S. taking each periods, 3-1, to take a decisive benefit into Day 2.
“Nicely, I can say we’ve got an enormous job forward of us,” European captain Suzann Pettersen mentioned.
Right here’s how the afternoon unfolded:
Nelly Korda/Megan Khang (U.S.) def. Leona Maguire/Georgia Corridor (Europe), 6 and 4
Squaring off Europe’s skilled duo of match-play specialists, Korda and Khang didn’t give their opponents a lot of an opportunity. Korda and Khang mixed to make 5 birdies in a six-hole span to shut out the entrance 9 and construct a large benefit they wouldn’t come near relinquishing.
Korda, specifically, shined on the intense stage. She went 8 underneath par for her 14 holes performed, wanting each bit just like the world No. 1 who has gained six occasions this season.
Anna Nordqvist/Madelene Sagstrom (Europe) def. Lexi Thompson/Alison Lee (U.S.), 6 and 5
With all 4 gamers sitting out the opening session, it was the veteran duo that took it to the People and spoiled the begin to what could possibly be Thompson’s remaining Solheim Cup.
Tied by seven holes, the Europeans ripped off six straight wins to shut out the match. As a staff, they mixed to go 7 underneath par, together with the same old match-play concessions.
Sagstrom, who bought married final weekend, is now 2-0-1 within the better-ball format over the previous two years, whereas Nordqvist, an assistant captain for this yr’s matches, notched her first win over that span.
Lauren Coughlin/Sarah Schmelzel (U.S.) def. Emily Pedersen/Maja Stark (Europe), 3 and a pair of
Dealing with the lone European duo that gained some extent within the morning session, the American rookies took management late on the entrance 9 and by no means surrendered the lead.
Coughlin, taking part in close to her hometown of Charlottesville, teamed up with Schmelzel to every go 2-0 of their Solheim Cup debuts.
Coughlin, one of many LPGA’s breakout stars this season, mixed with Schmelzel to make 9 birdies – the final one a right-to-left sweeper on 16 that closed out the match.
Rose Zhang/Andrea Lee (U.S.) def. Linn Grant/Charley Hull (Europe), 5 and 4
Zhang and Lee, two of probably the most extremely achieved gamers from Stanford, made up a big distance hole by counting on exact approaches and well timed placing to place one other level on the board for Workforce USA.
Forwards and backwards for the primary eight holes, Zhang and Lee every contributed clutch photographs to win 4 straight holes and construct a cushty benefit. The dagger was regarded as Zhang’s 15-footer for eagle on the 12 – however then, two holes later, Lee lipped out her 178-yard strategy on the 14th for a conceded eagle and straightforward win.
Hull and Grant had been anticipated to be two of Europe’s most fared gamers, however as a substitute they every ended the primary day with a 0-2 file.
