Category: Solheim Cup

See which Solheim Cup captain’s picks have come up big in Spain and which have been on the bench

Cheyenne Knight (2-0-0) is undefeated so far in Spain.

Solheim Cup captains are always judged in part by their captain’s picks. The composition of the two 12-person teams are different in that Suzann Pettersen selects four players for Europe compared to Stacy Lewis’ three picks for Team USA.

So far, the European captain’s picks have combined for 4½ points to Team USA’s four points. While Pettersen has practically hidden two of her picks with Caroline Hedwall and Gemma Dryburgh only playing in one match apiece, she has leaned heavily on one pick: Emily Pedersen. The Dane is one of three European players to tee it up in all four matches. No American, however, will play every session.

Solheim Cup: 5 things we learned from Saturday

Here’s a look at how all seven captain’s picks have fared so far this week:

Europe claws back, future stars shining bright highlight 5 things we learned Saturday at the 2023 Solheim Cup

Miss the Solheim Cup action on Saturday? We’ve got you covered.

CASARES, Spain — Is it Sunday yet?

Some incredible golf was played in both foursomes and fourball sessions on Saturday at the 2023 Solheim Cup at the luxurious Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast, setting up for what should be a thrilling finale. After an enticing two days of play the 18th matches between the Americans and Europeans are all tied at 8-8.

Both teams came away with two points after a halved session in the morning foursomes, but in the afternoon the Europeans showed their fourball dominance once again with a second consecutive 3-1 session win at the expense of the Americans.

From future stars shining bright to a strategy battle between opposing captains, here are five things we learned from the second day of play at the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain.

Undefeated rookie Allisen Corpuz shines brightly with Nelly Korda by her side at Solheim Cup

The pair is 2-0 in foursomes play in Spain.

The word in the U.S. team room last night: Now we know why Allisen Corpuz won the U.S. Women’s Open.

Clutch putts down the stretch from the former USC standout has her undefeated so far in her Solheim Cup debut, with a 2-0-1 record.

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis might have delivered a pairing that will be a force for years to come in the Solheim as Corpuz and Nelly Korda are now 2-0 in foursomes play, taking down a once formidable European pairing of Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall, 5 and 3, on Saturday morning. The pair defeated two of Europe’s best in Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist on Friday.

“I think Nelly is really calm,” said Corpuz, “which is kind of what I need. I play pretty low energy. Obviously she has the experience as well. So just knowing that having someone like her by my side has helped me a lot to get comfortable.”

Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz of Team USA walk the 14th green during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Korda, who now has an overall record of 7-2-1 in the Solheim, partnered with older sister Jessica in her first two Solheims. But with a now pregnant Jessica out with a back injury, Nelly was in need of a new foursomes partner and Corpuz stepped in to make it seamless. Nelly said she and Corpuz bonded well on the golf course.

“She may be a rookie,” said Nelly on Friday, “but I think she came in really clutch today, and she doesn’t show that at all. “

Corpuz secured half a point with Jennifer Kupcho on Friday but will sit Saturday afternoon as Korda goes out in the fourball session with fellow veteran Ally Ewing. Two years ago at Inverness, Ewing and Korda won a fourball match together on the opening day.

In July, Corpuz topped the field by three to win at historic Pebble Beach and took home $3 million. There’s no money on the line this week in Spain, but the atmosphere is unlike anything the 25-year-old has ever experienced.

“Everyone said the first tee was going to be nuts,” she said, “and then I walked out there and it was somehow even crazier than I expected.”

2023 Solheim Cup Saturday afternoon fourball pairings feature European player’s first appearance

The Europeans carried the momentum into Saturday morning as they halved the session with the Americans.

CASARES, Spain — After a lively morning foursomes session at the 2023 Solheim Cup the pairings are set as both captains have made their picks for afternoon fourballs.

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis stayed true to her word that no player would play all five matches as she has once again rotated her lineup to include all 12 players on Day 2 at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast.

Meanwhile European captain Suzann Pettersen has once again sat a player for both sessions in the same day as Gemma Drybrugh will be well rested for Sunday singles after the Scot wasn’t selected once again. Meanwhile, Caroline Hedwall will make her first appearance this week for Team Europe alongside the Blue-and-Yellow’s playing assistant captain, Anna Nordqvist.

Europe just barely leads the U.S. in all-time fourball play, 54-51-22.

Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the fourth session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)

MEET THE TEAMS: Europe | USA

Clutch putts were the story of Saturday foursomes at the 2023 Solheim Cup, where the U.S. holds a two-point lead

The Europeans carried the momentum to Saturday morning while an American pairing earned another big win.

CASARES, Spain — If you didn’t set an alarm to wake up for Saturday morning’s foursomes session at the 2023 Solheim Cup you missed some great golf.

After the Americans swept the Friday morning session for the first time in the biennial event’s 17-year history, Team Europe carried on the momentum from a 3-1 afternoon fourball win and halved the Saturday morning session with the U.S., 2-2. Team USA holds a 7-5 advantage as the event heads into afternoon foursomes.

“I think it’s important because you don’t want to give too much to the Americans,” said fan-favorite Spaniard Carlota Ciganda of changing the momentum. “I mean, they are tough to beat. They are really strong and they are really good, so we can do this, but we have to play good golf, and we have to be very present and hopefully that’s enough.”

Ciganda and Emily Pedersen never trailed in their match against world No. 2 Lilia Vu and Jennifer Kupcho as the Europeans put the first point of the day on the board in the opening match. The Euros won Nos. 5 and 6, the Americans responded by claiming Nos. 7 and 8 and then tied the ninth to send the match to the back nine all square. From there, Pedersen and Ciganda took control with a win on No. 10 and never looked back.

“We knew what the job is, to go out and get points,” said Pedersen after the match. “And Carlota and I spoke last night, from the start every shot counts, and we did that. I think we were really good at staying present. We got over it when we made mistakes and then we just kept on fighting, kept the spirits high. So we did great as a team.”

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis has a dynamite foursomes pairing in Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz as the veteran-rookie combo won their second foursomes match of the week, this time with a 5-and-3 shellacking of Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier. The European pairing entered the week undefeated in the format but have now lost the last two days. Korda and Corpuz are no strangers to taking down high-profile pairings as they beat Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist, 1 up, on Friday.

“Allisen and I just played really well the past two days. I think we just bonded really well on the golf course,” said Korda. “We didn’t make too many mistakes, especially today, and we rolled in a lot of putts.”

“I think Nelly is really calm, which is kind of what I need. I play pretty low energy,” added Corpuz. “Obviously she has the experience as well. So just knowing that having someone like her by my side has helped me a lot to get comfortable.”

Corpuz has played all three matches thus far and has yet to lose, winning twice and earning a tie in Friday fourball.

Speaking of pairings that won and lost on both Friday and Saturday in foursomes, Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang went to work once again on Day 2 and took down Maguire and Nordqvist, 1 up, after the playing assistant captain Nordqvist missed a putt to tie the match on the 18th green.

Thompson and Kang were 2 down through eight holes, but then won Nos. 9-11 to flip the match. Nordqvist and Maguire tied the match with birdie on No. 15, but a par for Team USA on the 17th provided the late advantage.

The best match of the session was the last between European rookies and best friends Maja Stark and Linn Grant against Team USA’s Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee. The Swedes had every opportunity to put Kang and Lee away, but the Americans fought back at every step and made clutch putt after clutch putt to keep the match in check.

Stark made one of her own for birdie on No. 17 to give Europe a 1-up lead with just the 18th to play, and then Grant followed suit with a 10-footer for birdie that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

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2023 Solheim Cup Saturday morning foursomes pairings

The Americans swept the morning session Friday before Europe fought back.

CASARES, Spain — Three of the four pairings that helped the United States sweep Europe in Friday morning foursomes (alternate shot) are returning for Saturday.

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis and European captain Suzann Pettersen announced their pairings for the third session of the 2023 Solheim Cup at the luxurious Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast, and on paper it’s advantage Americans.

The Red, White and Blue hold a 5-3 lead entering the second day of play after Europe fought back to win the Friday fourball session, 3-1.

Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the third session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup on Saturday morning. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)

Live coverage is on TV on Golf Channel and streaming on Peacock starting at 2 a.m. ET Friday until 1 p.m. ET.

MEET THE TEAMS: Europe | USA

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Late-day heroics pull Europe within two points at 2023 Solheim Cup

“I’m immensely proud of the way the entire team fought back in the afternoon,” said European captain Suzann Pettersen.”

It could’ve gotten ugly real fast. Instead, Team Europe holed out three shots – including only the second ace in Solheim Cup history – in the afternoon fourball session to claw their way back and secure momentum after the U.S. team’s historic morning sweep.

In fact, it looked for a moment like Europe might get a sweep themselves in the afternoon. With three of four matches extending to the 18th as sunlight dwindled, Europe managed to put up three points, and now trail the Americans 5-3 with two days left of competition.

“I have to say, I’m immensely proud of the way the entire team fought back in the afternoon,” said European captain Suzann Pettersen. “It’s not easy to stand on that tee in the afternoon knowing you’re down four after the first session. So I got to say, hat’s off to all my players, the way they fought and the way they showed their character on this Friday afternoon. I think the level of golf that was played in the afternoon was unbelievable.”

Solheim Cup: Photos

Leona Maguire, the undisputed MVP of the 2021 Cup at Inverness, chipped in on the 18th hole to secure Europe’s first full point alongside partner Georgia Hall.

“She turned around to me and said, ‘How would you have done it?’ ” said Pettersen. “And I said, ‘just the same.’ ”

Both Maguire and Hall played 36 holes at hilly Finca Cortesin but dug deep.

“It was really tough with the wind,” said Maguire. “I don’t think I ever hit as many 3-woods in my life. But every half point, every point, is really hard-earned and just really proud of the whole team for fighting back this afternoon.”

Emily Pedersen struggled early on Friday but gave the home crowd a jolt of energy with an ace on the par-3 12th and nearly a second one on the 17th.

Gemma Dryburgh of Team Europe reacts on the 12th green during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

It wasn’t long after that rookie Gemma Dryburgh chipped in from 30 yards on the 16th playing alongside Madelene Sagstrom. Rose Zhang drained a birdie putt on top to halve the hole, but it was still a building block of momentum for Pettersen’s squad.

“I loved every minute of it,” said Dryburgh. “That chip-in on 16 was the pinnacle, but I had to calm myself down for the next hole, so that was a new experience for me.”

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda waited her entire life to tee it up in a Solheim Cup in Spain, and then she had to wait all morning before Pettersen put her in the lineup. The Spaniard didn’t disappoint, teaming up with Sweden’s Linn Grant to give Europe its most decisive victory, 4 and 2.

“Carlota, I’m just trying to put a leash on this week,” said Pettersen. “I mean, she would jump off and fly if she could. So I’m really just trying to keep her grounded. She’s playing fantastic.”

History made and rookie success highlight 5 things we learned Friday at the 2023 Solheim Cup

Miss the Solheim Cup action on Friday? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know.

CASARES, Spain — There’s a difference between good matches and close matches.

The early portion of Friday afternoon’s fourball session at the 2023 Solheim Cup was decidedly full of the latter as warm temperatures and high winds sped up the greens at Finca Cortesin, which seemed to perplex players. Then a switch was flipped early on the back nine.

The Europeans made their move and put blue across the leaderboard for nearly an hour before the Americans responded in kind. In the end the continental All-Stars took the session, 3-1, and cut into the American lead. The U.S. will hold a 5-3 advantage entering Saturday morning’s foursomes matches.

From rookie success to history made and some crazy fan support, here are five things we learned from the first day of play at the 2023 Solheim Cup.

Europe’s Emily Kristine Pedersen plays slope to make wild hole-in-one at 2023 Solheim Cup

The ace is just the second in Solheim Cup history.

CASARES, Spain — The struggle had been all too real for Team Europe’s Emily Kristine Pedersen on the first day of the 2023 Solheim Cup.

After losing 5-and-4 alongside Charley Hull to Americans Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight in Friday morning’s foursomes session, the Dane was sent back out to play with Maja Stark in the afternoon fourball session and proceeded to struggle.

Until the 12th hole.

A few players had played the slope from off the green on the par 3 to get close to the hole, but nobody did so better than Pedersen. She landed her ball in the perfect spot and watched it turn right and roll into the bottom of the cup. The ace is just the second in Solheim Cup history as Pedersen joins teammate and assistant caption Anna Nordqvist, who was the first to accomplish the feat in 2013.

Pedersen is making her third appearance for Team Europe this week and carries a 3-5-0 record.

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Photos: Solheim Cup players go glam for the event’s gala in Spain

Take a look at photos from the biennial event’s opening gala.

On Wednesday evening, Solheim Cup captains and players gathered at the Villa Padierna in Marbella for the event’s opening gala.

While Suzann Pettersen’s team wore matching navy dresses, members of Team USA showed off their own sense of personal style for the glamorous affair.

The matches got underway Friday morning at Finca Cortesin with Team USA sweeping the foursomes session for the first time in Solheim Cup history.

This marks the first Solheim ever contested in Spain. Europe has won the past two editions.

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Take a look at photos — and one Instagram post — from the biennial event’s opening gala:

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