By: Max Bechtoldt
The Situation:
After the United States took a 4-0 lead in the first session, Europe put together a thrilling afternoon to close the gap to 5-3 leading into day two.
Fourball Takeaways:
- After a fairly boring first 12 holes filled with really sloppy play, these players put on a show down the stretch. Between the Pedersen hole-in-one, Dryburgh’s hit in for birdie, Maguire’s chip in and long putts finally falling, it was a great last two hours.
- This course is playing difficult, putts are rolling way past the holes and penalty areas are absolutely in play.
- Lexi Thompson seems to be having a great time out there, as she should, she’s playing beyond mine or almost anyone else’s expectations. Her third shot on 18 aside, she’s been great.
- Linn Grant might be the co-Europe MVP at this stage along with Leona Maguire, between battling back in the first session and crushing Ally Ewing and Angel Yin alongside Carlota Ciganda, she is the Solheim Cup player we all expected.
- Leona Maguire is a Solheim Cup icon already. After her performance last year, she grinded out a tough 18-hole match in foursomes, then hit a massive chip in to win her fourball match.
- This United States team has some serious chemistry. Megan Khang with Thompson and Rose Zhang, Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee, Cheyenne Knight and Ally Ewing, Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz, the United States found some keeper pairings.
- Allisen Corpuz. Clutch.
- Maja Stark. Clutch.
- The Caroline Hedwall captain selection becomes an even bigger mystery with her not playing at all on the first day. Surely one of the young Europeans in contention or Jodi Ewart Shadoff could have contributed to this team.
- Jennifer Kupcho’s putter got hot down the stretch similar to how it looked in 2021, that will be a major problem for Europe if it continues.
- Europe didn’t get itself back into the Solheim Cup yet, but winning the second session is huge for momentum and puts the team within striking distance.
