By: Max Bechtoldt
Once again, the United States has gotten off to a quick start at the Solheim Cup, going 3-1 in the opening session.
Matches:
Nelly Korda & Allisen Corpuz 3&2 over Charley Hull & Esther Henseleit
Rose Zhang & Lauren Coughlin 3&2 over Celine Boutier & Albane Valenzuela
Emily Pedersen & Maja Stark 2UP over Ally Ewing & Jennifer Kupcho
Lilia Vu & Sarah Schmelzel 3&2 over Linn Grant and Carlota Ciganda
Quick Takeaways:
- The first match on the course gave everything you want in a Solheim Cup match. Dramatic swings and arguably the best players on each team going head-to-head.
- Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz are now 3-0 as foursomes partners. They are the first American players to win three foursome matches in a row. Expect to see this duo again tomorrow.
- The American rookies, Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel, both looked terrific, poised and comfortable. Schmelzel’s iron shots were phenomenal all day and Coughlin had some very clutch putts.
- It has to be huge for the American momentum having Lilia Vu and Rose Zhang get wins right off the bat. Those are two players that have to perform better than 2023 if the United States wants to win. Good start.
- The European rookies, Albane Valenzuela and Esther Henseleit, certainly looked a bit more shaky. Understandable on road turf, they both had their strong moments, particularly Henseleit early, but overall very mixed performances.
- Maja Stark was the early European MVP. She looked so calm and poised with the putter in particular. While Pedersen had some big mistakes on the back nine, allowing Kupcho and Ewing back in the match, Stark was the steadying force.
- Stacy Lewis is once again phenomenal at pairing her players in foursomes. I would honestly consider sending all four of these duos out again tomorrow morning.
- The crowd was late arriving because of transportation issues, but once they got there the numbers looked huge and it seemed they were giving the Americans a real lift.
- The United States must keep the foot on the gas pedal here. It is another fantastic start, but the Europeans came back from 4-0 in 2023.
