By: Max Bechtoldt
Finally, the 2024 Solheim Cup is ready to get underway at 7 ET on Friday September, 13 with the opening foursomes matchups, here are the players who will be going out in session one.
7:05 – Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz vs Esther Henseleit and Charley Hull
Not a lot of surprises here, with Korda and Corpuz forming the strongest foursomes pairing for the United States in 2023 going 2-0. They will be out against a Solheim Cup rookie in Henseleit, who Suzann Pettersen wisely paired with one of the most experienced players on team Europe. Corpuz and Korda were so strong and both have recently found their form again.
Advantage: United States
7:15 – Rose Zhang and Lauren Coughlin vs Albane Valenzuela and Celine Boutier
There are a lot of players in this match with something to prove. Rose Zhang and Celine Boutier combined for zero full points in the 2023 Solheim Cup and are paired with a couple Solheim Cup rookies. Valenzuela was likely the last person to make the European team, so she should be eager to get out there right away. Oddly, the player who I am most confident in is Lauren Coughlin, who knows this course well and is in terrific form. Regardless, I see a halve as highly possible.
Advantage: Draw
7:25 – Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho vs Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark
While the United States desperately could use some more production from Ewing and Kupcho than they provided in 2023, these are two players to be optimistic about. They teamed up at the Dow Championship, where they finished in second place, playing well in the foursomes format. They go up against Pedersen and Stark, who teamed up to halve a match in four ball in 2023. While that doesn’t give us a lot of information on how they will play in foursomes, they do know each other’s games and how to play with each other. Regardless, I see Kupcho and Ewing as a strong team.
Advantage: United States
7: 35 – Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel vs Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda has more than double the experience of the rest of this group combined. That experience will come in handy. Ciganda and Grant were phenomenal in four ball in 2023, and were okay in foursomes at the Dow Championships this year. Vu has a lot to prove after her performance in 2023, but with the quality of golf she plays week-in and week-out, I do have confidence she can correct it. Schmelzel is a bit of a wild card this week, but she has embraced this week so heavily that I’m sure she will show up in solid form. Ciganda and Grant’s experience playing with each other gives them a slight edge here.
Advantage: Europe
FRIDAY FOURSOMES PREDICTION:
UNITED STATES 2 1/2 – EUROPE 1 1/2
