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.
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.
The Americans took an early 4-0 lead after sweeping the morning foursomes session on Friday.
CASARES, Spain — While you were sleeping the U.S. made history in the morning foursomes session of the 2023 Solheim Cup.
The Americans got off to a hot start and swept the opening matches to take an early 4-0 lead over their European counterparts. It’s the first time the U.S. has swept a foursomes session and just the second time they’ve swept a session in the event’s 17-year history (2017 Saturday fourball).
Europe’s Caroline Hedwall will be the only player to not tee it up on Friday as all 12 players from the U.S. will be involved in the action, including highly-touted rookie Rose Zhang.
Europe just barely leads the U.S. in all-time fourball play, 51-50-22.
Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the second session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)
The youngest captain in U.S. history, Stacy Lewis is looking like a genius early on at the Solheim Cup.
Stacy Lewis begins the 18th Solheim Cup looking like a genius. Team USA dominated the Friday morning session in Spain, sweeping foursomes for the first time in history. Europe led only four holes the entire session.
“I think everyone that paired together had really good chemistry,” said Nelly Korda of the 4-0 start. “Our captain, she paired us up really well.”
Korda’s partner, rookie Allisen Corpuz, drained a 6-foot putt on the final hole to fully shut out Europe and end the session.
Lewis raised plenty of eyebrows putting a struggling Lexi Thompson out first for the Americans, but the most experienced player on Team USA paired with Megan Khang to make an early statement, beating a strong rookie duo of Maja Stark and Linn Grant, 2 and 1. Stark and Grant had never lost a foursomes match together in previous competitions and begged European captain Suzann Pettersen to stay together.
Lewis said she’d heard from team helpers all week how good Thompson was hitting the ball early at Finca Cortesin. She looked at the stats put together from their practice rounds and gave Thompson the nod. She’ll go back out in the afternoon with two-time major winner Lilia Vu in fourball.
Lexi Thompson of Team USA warms up during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“It’s not the be all,” said Lewis. “There’s certainly personalities of people do or don’t want to play together, maybe it’s a golf ball issue, but analytics are a huge part of what we’re doing and it’s helped justify things to me in my head and it’s helped justify things with the players as well.”
Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight put the first point on the board, drumming a formerly successful duo of Charley Hull and Emily Pedersen, 5 and 4. The Americans were 6 up at the turn.
“We were ready to take on the day,” said Ewing, a captain’s pick Lewis has leaned on for experience.
Andrea Lee was the third American rookie to score a point in the morning, pairing with Danielle Kang, who’s like a sister to the former Stanford standout. The pair were 3 under on the day in alternate shot.
“I don’t think my heart ever pumped that fast before in my life,” said Lee of a 10-footer down the stretch that helped the U.S. defeat a decorated European partnership of Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall, 1 up.
It all added up to a shocking start for the Americans, who came to Spain having lost the past two Cups.
“It’s huge,” said assistant captain Angela Stanford. “But we have to understand it’s Friday morning. Hopefully by Sunday night we can look back and talk about the history.”
“It’s just really special to be able to carry the USA bag,” said Allisen Corpuz.
Solheim Cup bags aren’t like any other golf bags. Angela Stanford views her Solheim bags like trophies. It’s a life accomplishment to make a Solheim Cup team, and for many, the highlight of their careers.
Rookie Gemma Dryburgh got emotional when she saw her European bag for the first time.
“We’ve gotten so much gear in our room,” said American rookie Cheyenne Knight. “Like every day it’s been such a surprise. Nelly got custom Beats for us all, so that’s really cool. But just every day we get something in our room.
“But my favorite is the golf bag because I’ll have it forever.”
Stacy Lewis put a lot of thought into Team USA’s staff bags. There’s a pocket with 13 stars for the 13 past captains. There’s a pocket with 62 stars for the prior 62 Americans that have represented the U.S. at the Solheim Cup.
And there’s a yellow duck on the bottom of the bag in memory of LPGA founder Shirley Spork, an ardent Solheim Cup fan who liked to find ducks on the course when she played to take her mind off the competition.
“I wanted these girls to know how special of a group they’re coming into,” said Lewis. “So you know what you’re playing for. If you don’t know what you’re playing for, you don’t know about the history.”
Paula Creamer made her first Solheim Cup bag into a barstool. (Courtesy: Paula Creamer)
Paula Creamer made her first Solheim Cup bag from the 2005 edition at Crooked Stick into a barstool. Brittany Lang keeps her five bags lined up in her office underneath a collection of framed Solheim pin flags filled with the signatures of her teammates.
Brittany Lang keeps her Solheim Cup bags lined up in her home office. (Courtesy: Brittany Lang)
Morgan Pressel typically auctions off her Solheim Cup bags as part of the annual Morgan & Friends charity event, which raised just shy of $1 million this year for the fight against breast cancer. The bags can easily fetch a couple thousand of dollars.
Rosie Jones lines up her Solheim Cup bags from her seven appearances as a player and 2011 captaincy. (Courtesy: Rosie Jones)
Rosie Jones’ Solheim bags all have flags stitched on the top that represent places that are important to her, like where she grew up or where she currently lives. Gazing upon them all now, she said, brings so much pride and joy.
Rest assured, the next generation feels the same.
“Stacy’s put so much meaning into everything this week,” said rookie Allisen Corpuz. “And, yeah, it’s just really special to be able to carry the USA bag.”
“We will have the honor on the first tee all week, so that’s an opportunity for us to put some pressure on (Europe).”
CASARES, Spain — Picture this: a thousand passionate fans are packed into grandstands mere feet from the first tee box as you approach to begin your round. They’re screaming and cheering – or booing if you play for the opposition – and you must somehow tee up your ball and make clean contact despite adrenaline and nerves overtaking your body.
That’s Eminem levels of sweaty palms, weak knees and heavy arms, even for the best players in the world. The first tee at events like the Solheim Cup are some of the most intense moments fans get to see in golf, and this year’s 18th matches between the United States and Europe will be even more pressure packed as players will face a risk-reward tee shot on the 280-yard drivable par-4 1st hole.
“I think it’s so cool,” said U.S. assistant captain Angela Stanford, who thoroughly enjoyed watching Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson bomb drives off the first. “It’s elevated, and you have all the fans behind you — and I know Europe has players that can do it too, and it’s just so cool. I think it will be a fun way to start the day.”
“I think it’s fun. It’s something that we don’t get to do a lot of,” echoed Korda. “Obviously there’s a lot of trouble short. If you land it just short of the green, it’s rolling into the water. I think it’s a fun opening hole. I feel like also you’re already going to be so nervous on the first tee and then that being your opening tee shot too, I think you’re definitely going to be feeling it in your stomach on that first hole.”
While reachable par 4s on opening holes are rare, this year’s event isn’t unique as the 2017 Solheim Cup in Iowa featured a 306-yard drivable par 4 on No. 1. European captain Suzann Pettersen noted how the 1st hole in 2017 didn’t play out in her side’s favor, so she’s been preaching the power of communication in order to capitalize this time around.
“I just want the players, the team to kind of at least talk through what we’re thinking, at least have some kind of a strategy in mind when they step up on that first tee,” said Pettersen, who also noted the important role that course conditions will play.
There’s water guarding the front left and bunkers to the back and right of the green, meaning a heavy wind blowing left or into players’ faces could lead to a simple lay-up shot with an easy wedge to the green.
“I mean, it depends on the wind, but if I have a good number and I can get there, I will go for that green,” said Carlota Ciganda. A good number for the Spaniard will be 230-235 meters, which equates to somewhere between 250 and 255 yards.
“I need a downwind for me to go for it,” quipped Megan Khang.
Morgan Pressel, another assistant captain for the Americans, noted how Angel Yin teed off with a little driver and easily reached the front edge with just her third swing of the day without a warm-up. A six-time Solheim Cupper with an 11-8-3 record, Pressel saw the reachable green as an advantage for the U.S.
“I think it’s cool. It’s match play. It’s fun,” said Pressel. “We will have the honor on the first tee all week, so that’s an opportunity for us to put some pressure on Team Europe to start right out of the gate. Players who maybe can’t get there, they have all been like, ‘Oh, I could just get up-and-down and make birdie with a wedge.’ I don’t think it’s a deterrent in that sense.”
“Well, maybe actually we have more pressure because we’re the ones hitting the opening tee shots and they will see how we do,” said Korda, playing devil’s advocate. “I don’t know, it’s going to be a tough one.”
A tough one for sure, but an exciting one as well.
World No. 2 Lilia Vu is on the bench for the opening matches, as is rising star Rose Zhang.
CASARES, Spain — The opening tee shots of the 2023 Solheim Cup are just hours away and the first group of pairings have officially been announced.
Friday morning’s foursomes pairings and matches at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast were released during the opening ceremony Thursday night at nearby Marbella Arena, with none other than U.S. star Lexi Thompson, who has struggled this year, set to take the first swing alongside Megan Khang against European and Swedish rookies, Linn Grant and Maja Stark.
Notably on the bench for the American side are world No. 2 Lilia Vu, who won two major championships this season, as well as rising star Rose Zhang, who has a penchant for match play.
“I wanted to get off to a good start. I wanted to get out four really good pairings and that’s kind of been my focus this whole time,” said U.S. captain Stacy Lewis. “So it was more about who matched up together versus even — I didn’t even look at who was sitting, to be honest. I wasn’t even worried about who was sitting. It was more just what are my best four options.”
“For my sake, I feel like I’ve had these four pairings down on paper for quite a few months now,” added European captain Suzann Pettersen. “It was more like in what order do you play ’em.”
Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the first session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)
“They have won the last two, we’re on their soil, they have a great team that has a ton, a ton of experience.”
The Solheim captains aren’t shying away from the obvious in Spain.
This is the strongest team Europe has ever fielded, and with the momentum of winning the past two Solheim Cups and the advantage of a home crowd, Suzann Pettersen’s team comes in as the favorite at Finca Cortesin.
“I don’t think there’s anything to hide under a chair that if you look on paper, we have the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Pettersen, “and that’s based on great performances over the last few years from all the players. So with good results, there’s also expectations, but these girls are so up for it, so we can’t wait.”
While the American’s average Rolex Ranking of 25 is actually lower than Europe’s 43, two of Pettersen’s captain’s picks ranked outside the top 100 – Emily Pedersen and Caroline Hedwall – are experienced Cuppers with plenty of years on the LPGA. Hedwall, in fact, went 5-0 a decade ago in Colorado.
“I think Europe’s the favorite,” said Lewis on Wednesday. “They have won the last two, we’re on their soil, they have a great team that has a ton, a ton of experience in this event. So you look at history, you know, it doesn’t bode well for us. But I love our chances. I love these rookies. I think they’re going to have a great week and hopefully surprise a lot of people.”
Both teams have been doing a lot of winning of late on the LPGA with five players on Team USA combining for seven titles in 2023. The Europeans, led by France’s Celine Boutier, have a combined five titles among three players.
“I can’t remember another time, another year, where so many Americans and Europeans were winning leading up to the Solheim Cup,” said assistant captain Angela Stanford. “I can’t remember a time where it just felt like all year long it was back and forth.”
Angel Yin of Team USA reacts during practice prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 21, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
When asked if the team vibe felt different this year with so many considering Europe the favorite, American Angel Yin said that was the first she’d heard of it.
“I think we’re just going to kill it,” said a smiling Yin. “I mean, I haven’t heard anything other than that, other than we’re just going to kill it.”
Do they feel like underdogs?
“Honestly, I think both teams are stacked very well,” said Megan Khang. “I know – I think we have a little more rookies on our team …”
“Our rookies also have three major championships,” Nelly Korda quickly added, referring to Lilia Vu (Chevron, AIG Women’s British) and Allisen Corpuz (U.S. Women’s Open).
It’s no doubt a changing-of-the-guard year for Team USA, with so many top players making their debut. The last time the Americans went into a Cup on foreign soil off two losses was 2015 in Germany. Lexi Thompson is the only American player on this year’s team who was part of that historic comeback at St. Leon-Rot.
Juli Inkster introduced Paul Azinger’s pod system to that 2015 team, and they bought in. Lewis, however, isn’t carrying on the pod tradition, relying more instead on a new stats system backed by KPMG.
“It’s been my start point for everything,” said Lewis.” It’s not the be all. There’s certainly personalities of people do or don’t want to play together, maybe it’s a golf ball issue, but analytics are a huge part of what we’re doing and it’s helped justify things to me in my head and it’s helped justify things with the players as well.”
Pettersen, meanwhile, has been the most transparent captain to date, according to players, asking especially for input on pairings.
“I do think she’s taking communication to a whole different level within Team Europe,” said the team’s eldest player, Anna Nordqvist, “discussing with players what everyone feels comfortable with and who wants to play with who. So I feel like this week it’s been a big team effort.”
“We are enthusiastic supporters of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team and are promoting the Solheim Cup in a number of ways.”
Stacy Lewis didn’t hold back on Wednesday when asked if she thought more could’ve been done to promote the first back-to-back Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup in Europe.
“I think it was a missed opportunity for the sport of golf,” said Lewis, who said she worked hard trying to get some synergy between the organizations.
The first Solheim Cup ever contested on Spanish soil gets underway Friday at Finca Cortesin, where Team Europe looks to win three in a row. Next week, the Ryder Cup will be held in Rome for the first time.
The PGA of America gave Golfweek the following statement in response to Lewis’ comments:
“We are enthusiastic supporters of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team and are promoting the Solheim Cup in a number of ways. For starters, we are creating digital assets and collaborating with our friends at the LPGA on our social media channels. For the first time, we produced a U.S. Ryder Cup Team video in which the players and our Captain expressed their support for the Solheim Cup Team.
“We are also supporting the Solheim Cup with editorial content on PGA.com and by engaging with Solheim Cup content across PGA of America channels. Finally, our CEO Seth Waugh will be onsite in Spain to cheer on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team for all of us. While scheduling and logistics challenges precluded some other joint activations, the PGA of America will help to raise awareness in a meaningful way through our digital and social media efforts.”
The U.S. Ryder Cup Twitter account released a good luck video on Thursday at 10 a.m. with the likes of Wyndham Clark wishing luck to fellow 2023 U.S. Open winner Allisen Corpuz, and Brian Harman giving a shoutout to fellow British Open winner Lilia Vu.
The Solheim Cup has been contested in odd years since 2003. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing Ryder Cup officials to cancel in 2020, the biennial men’s event opted to stay with odd years after the 2021 contest at Whistling Straits.
The Solheim Cup moves back to even years next year at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.
