Behind Nelly Korda’s prolific play, U.S. storms out to big lead after first day of Solheim Cup

U.S. Takes Commanding Lead on Day One of Solheim Cup Amidst Transportation Hiccups

GAINESVILLE, Va. — The Solheim Cup’s opening day witnessed an extraordinary performance by Team USA, spearheaded by the world’s top-ranked golfer, Nelly Korda. With an emphatic display in both the morning foursomes and the afternoon four-ball sessions, the Americans surged to a 6-2 lead over Europe, marking the largest first-day advantage in the event’s history.

 

Following a similar trend to last year’s early dominance, the U.S. team ensured they did not falter as they did in Spain, where they lost ground in the afternoon sessions. This time, however, the Americans solidified their lead with a combination of strategic brilliance and exceptional individual performances, notably from Korda, who played a pivotal role throughout the day.

 

Korda’s contribution was particularly notable as she guided her team to victory in both her matches. She partnered with Allisen Corpuz in the morning, where their precision and accuracy led them to a 3-and-2 victory over England’s Charley Hull and Germany’s Esther Henseleit. This win marked the first time an American team has secured three consecutive victories in Solheim Cup matches.

 

The American squad, under the leadership of captain Stacy Lewis, displayed an impressive level of energy and cohesiveness. Lewis, visibly pleased with the day’s results, noted, “Yeah, things went according to plan today. It was a really good day. The energy was awesome out there amongst our team and amongst the players.”

 

Korda’s performance was historic; she won a total of 16 holes across both sessions, including all eight par 5s she encountered. This feat set a new record for the most holes won by a Solheim Cup player in a single day since 2015. According to the stats team, Korda’s performance in the afternoon session saw her gain 7.5 strokes against the field, a record for any session they have tracked in both Ryder and Solheim Cups.

 

In the afternoon four-ball session, Korda teamed up with Megan Khang. Their partnership proved formidable as they defeated the European pair of Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire with a decisive 6-and-4 win. Lewis highlighted the dynamic between Korda and Khang, noting, “If you spend any time around Megan Khang, you know how much energy she has. I kind of had a feeling she would pull [Korda] along.”

 

The energy was palpable as Korda and Khang’s chemistry was evident. While Korda was initially calm in her first match, she appeared more animated and enthusiastic in her second. Korda remarked on the contrast between playing with Corpuz and Khang, noting that her familiarity with Khang from their Junior Solheim Cup days contributed to their synergy on the course.

 

Korda’s standout moment came at hole No. 12 during the afternoon session. Facing a 475-yard par 5, her second shot, a precise 5-iron strike, rolled up to within a foot of the hole, showcasing her aggressive and confident play. “I was just really loose and aggressive today in the afternoon,” Korda said. Her aggressive approach, paired with Khang’s solid play, was a key factor in their dominant performance.

 

The Europeans, led by captain Suzann Pettersen, faced significant challenges. Despite some strong individual performances, they struggled to match the Americans’ momentum. Pettersen acknowledged the uphill battle ahead, stating, “We have a massive job to do. We proved to ourselves we were capable of doing this last year, so the belief is there. There’s a lot of points yet to be played for.”

 

The day began with logistical challenges as fans faced significant delays in reaching the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Thousands of spectators were stranded in offsite parking lots at Jiffy Lube Live due to insufficient transportation options. What should have been a lively start with a full crowd was diminished by the late arrival of many fans. The LPGA issued an apology, promising that “significant changes” would be implemented to address these issues for the remainder of the tournament.

 

Pettersen expressed confidence that the transportation issues had been resolved, and anticipated that the crowds would be larger and more engaged in the upcoming days. She noted, “I’m sure it’s going to be super crowded over the next couple of days, especially with the way the Americans have kind of got the energy in the crowds as well.”

 

Despite the rocky start, the day ended on a high note with increasing spectator numbers and a growing atmosphere as the tournament progressed. The U.S. team’s commanding lead and high energy set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling continuation of the Solheim Cup.