Your 2021 picks: Our top 10 LPGA golf stories (No. 1 is all about Q-School)

We’re offering up a snapshot from each of Golfweek’s most popular sections. Today, the LPGA.

Before we even start down this road, let’s begin by explaining that the top 10 moments of the LPGA year were already well-chronicled by the esteemed Beth Ann Nichols, who covers the tour as well as anyone.

As Nichols explained, the LPGA’s “super” season certainly delivered on drama. Here is her list in its entirety.

But to close out the year, we’ve been looking through the numbers and tallying up which stories drew your attention, and we’re now sharing the findings with you.

For the final 10 days of 2021, we’re offering up a snapshot of the top 10 stories from each of Golfweek’s most popular sections, including travel, the PGA and LPGA tours, instruction and amateur golf. Here’s what we’ve already counted down.

Here’s a look at the top 10 LPGA stories, as clicked on by you (we should note, this list doesn’t include photo galleries or money lists):

Europe builds big lead, holds on to win Solheim Cup over the U.S.

Make it two in a row for Europe over the Americans in the Solheim Cup. But it was not without some drama.

Make it two in a row for Europe over the Americans in the Solheim Cup. But it was not without some drama.

Europe held a 9-7 lead heading into Monday’s singles matches and kept the momentum going by winning the first 3 ½ points of the day.

Leona Maguire struck first with a 5-and-4 win over Jennifer Kupcho. Maguire, the first Irishwoman to play in the event, went 4-0-1 during the week.

Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden then closed out Ally Ewing, 3 and 2, to give the Europeans an 11-7 lead. Moments later, France’s Celine Boutier knocked out Mina Harigae, 5 and 4, giving the Europeans 12 points, two shy of the 14 they needed to retain the cup.

Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, just 15 days removed from winning her third major at the AIG Women’s British Open, earned a half point in her match against Lexi Thompson, making the score 12 ½-7 ½.

The U.S. finally got on the board when Nelly Korda defeated England’s Georgia Hall, 1 up, cutting the European lead to 12 ½-8 ½.

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Austin Ernst earned a half-point for the U.S. in her match against Nanna Koerstz Madsen, making it 13-9, and leaving Europe just a point away from retaining cup.

Megan Khang then claimed a 3-and-2 win over Germany’s Sophia Popov to cut the U.S. deficit to 13-10.

Brittany Altomare then knocked out Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, 2 and 1, tightening things even further to 13-11.

Lizette Salas and Matilda Castren went to the 18th tied. Castren hit an amazing shot from the sand to set up a par putt, which she made to give the Europeans the crucial 14th point they needed to retain the cup.

SOLHEIM CUP: Monday singles matches results

Catriona Matthew, who led Europe to 14 ½ to 13 ½ win in 2019 at Gleneagles in Scotland, makes it two wins in row as captain. This is also the second time since the event started in 1990 that Europe won on U.S. soil. The first came in 2013 in Colorado.

The 2023 matches will be held in Spain for the first time, just one week ahead of the Ryder Cup’s first-ever stop in Rome.

In 2024, the Solheim Cup returns to the U.S. while shifting back to even years. The dates and location will be announced at a later date.

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A closer look at Solheim Cup singles matches and how to watch the action on Labor Day

Everything you need to know for Monday’s Labor Day singles matches at the Solheim Cup.

TOLEDO, Ohio – Anna Nordqvist and Lexi Thompson will kick off what could be a sensational Labor Day finish at rockin’ Inverness Club. If their singles match four years ago in Iowa is any indication, Nordqvist and Thompson will deliver at the 17th Solheim Cup. They might have halved that lead-off match in Des Moines, but former U.S. captain Juli Inkster joked that it felt like six points.

The third match of the day on Monday at Inverness is a gift of the golf gods, with Leona Maguire and Jennifer Kupcho squaring off in what should be a roaring rookie showdown. Maguire, the only player in the event to go all five matches, is 3-0-1 in her Solheim debut while Kupcho is 2-0-1. The pair faced each other earlier this year in the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play event and finished the match tied.

“You never know how you’re going to react in these situations until you’re put in them,” said Maguire. “This is what you practice for. This is what you prepare for. I love team golf. I love match play.”

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World No. 1 Nelly Korda looked out of sorts in her morning foursomes loss and sat out in the afternoon. She was embroiled in controversy in Saturday four-balls, and while she and Ally Ewing went on to win the match, it was emotionally draining and upsetting.

Korda defeated Caroline Hedwall in her singles debut two years ago.

Another one of Europe’s heralded rookies, Matilda Castren, will have her work cut out against Lizette Salas, who has never lost in singles with a 3-0-1 record.

On the European side, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda has the team’s best singles record of 3-0-1. She’ll face Brittany Altomare on Monday.

Mel Reid had her neck attended to in the middle of the round on Sunday afternoon. She said it happened at lunch, but that she’ll be fine. She faces rookie Yealimi Noh, who is riding a high after putting up her first Solheim Cup point in afternoon four-balls.

“The Americans have put something in our food, I think,” joked Reid. “The tiramisu is keeping us up at night and the spring rolls are giving us a bad necks.”

If it all comes down to the final match, rookie Emily K. Pedersen will carry the load for Europe against American Danielle Kang, who won the LPGA Drive On event at Inverness last summer. And just for fun, Pedersen’s boyfriend happens to be Kang’s caddie.

Europe needs five points to retain the Cup, and the Americans need 7.5 to win it back.

The final round of the Solheim Cup will be live on Golf Channel Monday, Sept. 6 from 12-6 p.m. EDT.

Singles matches (all times Eastern)

12:05 p.m. – Anna Nordqvist (EUR) vs. Lexi Thompson (USA)

12:15 p.m. – Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) vs. Ally Ewing (USA)

12:25 p.m. – Leona Maguire (EUR) vs. Jennifer Kupcho (USA)

12:35 p.m. – Georgia Hall (EUR) vs. Nelly Korda (USA)

12:45 p.m. – Celine Boutier (EUR) vs. Mina Harigae (USA)

12:55 p.m. – Nanna Koerstz Madsen (EUR) vs. Austin Ernst (USA)

1:05 p.m. – Matilda Castren (EUR) vs. Lizette Salas (USA)

1:15 p.m. – Carlota Ciganda (EUR) vs. Brittany Altomare (USA)

1:25 p.m. – Sophia Popov (EUR) vs. Megan Khang (USA)

1:35 p.m. – Mel Reid (EUR) vs. Yealimi Noh (USA)

1:45 p.m. – Charley Hull (EUR) vs. Jessica Korda (USA)

1:55 p.m. – Emily K. Pedersen (EUR) vs. Danielle Kang (USA)

Europe carries two-point edge over Americans entering Sunday singles at 17th Solheim Cup

“It always seems to come down to the singles. Every little half point here or there is going to be crucial.”

TOLEDO, Ohio – Patrick Cantlay took home $15 million on Sunday for winning the FedEx Cup, which is essentially what both the American and European teams have combined to make on the LPGA in 2021.

On Labor Day in Toledo, 24 women will play for pride and country in the 17th Solheim Cup on a major championship venue.

And it’s all setting up to be an epic showdown.

“We knew the Americans were going to come back fighting at us,” said European captain Catriona Matthew.

And while they did, winning three points in morning foursomes on the heels of a rules controversy involving World No. 1 Nelly Korda, Europe took 2.5 points in the afternoon session to take a 9-7 lead heading into singles.

This marks the ninth time that Europe has held the lead going into singles; four times they’ve gone on from there to win the Cup.

Amidst of a sea of red, white a blue, a chant of “Ole, Ole, Ole,” rang out around the 18th green at Inverness late Sunday as Mel Reid knocked one close on the 18th to clinch a half point alongside Leona Maguire against Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas. In one of the day’s most thrilling matches, Kupcho chipped in for birdie on the 17th hole to send the American fans in a frenzy.

Solheim Cup
Fans on the 17th hole during the Fourball Match on day two of the Solheim Cup at the Inverness Club on September 05, 2021 in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“It was 136,” said Reid of her final approach into the 18th. “It was probably playing 10 into; I hit a three-quarter 8 (iron). I knew as soon as I hit it it was either going to be a little bit left and short or it was going to be good, so I was hoping for the good, and I almost willed that ball into the hole.”

Reid and Maguire just got to know each other this week and now have a 2-0-1 record together. The fearless Irish rookie is 3-0-1 on her own.

Maguire’s identical twin sister Lisa, a former player herself who know goes to dental school, was hoarse on Sunday after shouting all day. She’s the only supporter here for Maguire, though all of Ireland is back home supporting.

Maguire, the first Irish player to compete in the Solheim Cup, is the only player who will compete in all five matches this week.

“I think they’ve got to know each other,” said Matthew of the surprise partnership, “and they’ve kind of reveled in each other’s company.”

The 26-year-old Maguire spent 135 weeks as the top amateur in the world. The former Duke standout represented Europe in two Junior Solheim Cups, one Junior Ryder Cup and Great Britain and Ireland in three Curtis Cups.

“She knows how to play some amazing golf,” she said. “We’ve seen her do it college, she did it in her amateur days and I guess people are just now seeing what she can do on the big stage. It’s really impressive to watch.”

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Meanwhile rookie Kupcho has come up big for the Americans, going 2-0-1 in three matches alongside Salas.

She doesn’t play like (a rookie),” said Salas, “and I never approached her like one, and she definitely doesn’t have a game like a rookie.”

Hurst said Kupcho’s and Salas’ success is a good example of the pod system at work.

“The way they’re playing and interacting with each other,” she said, “has been what we were looking for.”

Hurst looked like she might be taking a risk when she sent out a pair of rookies together in Mina Harigae and Yealimi Noh, who’d never scored a point, in afternoon four-balls. They handled a tight match against Celine Boutier and Sophia Popov down the stretch like steely vets, winning 3 and 1, to put the only full point on the board for Team USA.

“I think we were just ready to go more than anything,” said Harigae. “We were chomping at the bit watching the morning matches, especially their comebacks. I think that motivated us more.”

The host country has won the Solheim Cup 12 of the last 16 times. For the Americans to win, they’ll need their stars to come up big on Monday. So far, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda and Lexi Thompson are a combined 2-6-0 at Inverness.

Europe needs five points to retain the Cup and the Americans need 7.5 to win it back.

“It’s going to be tight,” said Matthew. “It always seems to come down to the singles. Every little half point here or there is going to be crucial.”

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Solheim Cup: USA mounts impressive comeback to pull within one point of Europe

The Americans are down just one entering Saturday afternoon.

TOLEDO, Ohio – With their backs against the wall, the Americans did what was needed, even with World No. 1 Nelly Korda looking out of sorts.

The Europeans were up in all four matches on a quiet Sunday morning, but Pat Hurst’s team came roaring back, winning three points in foursomes play to pull within one point of the Europeans.

Danielle Kang and Austin Ernst put the first point on the board for Team USA, turning around their match midway through the back nine and holding on to win, 1 up.

“It was huge,” said Ernst. “We needed to get a point for the team and get it turned early so they could see some red early.”

Lexi Thompson followed with a birdie bomb on the 17th hole that gave her and Brittany Altomare a 2-and-1 victory. It marked the first Solheim Cup win for Thompson without partner Cristie Kerr.

Thompson said they came into the day playing for Grace Godfrey, daughter of LPGA player Jane Park and Pete Godfrey, who fell critically ill earlier this year at the tour stop in Dallas. Grace turned 1-year-old on Sunday. Players on both teams wore happy birthday stickers on their hats.

“We just wanted to keep a smile on our faces for her and keep her in our prayers,” said Thompson, “and came out today kind of with that attitude that we’re just blessed to be out here.”

Jennifer Kupcho ignited the crowd on the 17th with a long birdie putt to give her and Lizette Salas their second point of the week. They’ll go back out together in the afternoon four-ball session against Europe’s Mel Reid and rookie Leona Maguire, who are also 2-0.

Reid and Maguire delivered the only loss for Team USA, dispatching of Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing, 5 and 4. Korda, who was embroiled in a rules controversy on Saturday, hit a handful of shocking shots, including a bladed miss from the bunker on the par-4 fourth hole that found the hazard.

She’ll sit in afternoon four-balls while sister Jessica comes back out to partner with Megan Khang. Jessica sat out both the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sessions.

Maguire, the first Irish player to ever compete in a Solheim Cup, first got to know Reid earlier this week. She’s a perfect 3-0 thus far and will be the only player in the competition who plays all five matches.

“I think it was a pairing neither of us saw coming, but the captains obviously saw something in us that we didn’t see in ourselves,” said Maguire, “and I think we’re both fearless on the golf course, which is something you need to be in those matches, especially given the pairings we were up against.”

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Sunday Four-Ball Pairings

12:05 p.m. ET – Celine Boutier and Sophia Popov (EUR) vs. Yealimi Noh and Mina Harigae (USA)

12:20 p.m. ET – Carlota Ciganda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen (EUR) vs. Jessica Korda and Megan Khang (USA)

12:35 p.m. ET – Mel Reid and Leona Maguire (EUR) vs. Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas (USA)

12:50 p.m. ET – Charley Hull and Emily K. Pedersen (EUR) vs. Danielle Kang and Austin Ernst (USA)

A look back at some of the juiciest controversies in Solheim Cup history

As controversy swirled around the Inverness Club on Saturday afternoon, a feeling of familiarity followed.

TOLEDO, Ohio – As controversy swirled around the Inverness Club on Saturday afternoon, a feeling of familiarity followed. These spats and flaps are as much a part of the Solheim Cup as high-fives and first-tee jitters.

As Nelly Korda and Madelene Sagstrom wrapped up their controversial four-ball match, Beth Daniel reminisced about an episode that took place in 1992 at Dalmahoy in Scotland, when she and Betsy King called for a squeegee from just off the green. Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas said that wasn’t allowed, that they needed to be on the green.

As Daniel and King waited for a second opinion, Laura Davies said she’d go ahead and hit, though Daniel said she wasn’t away. When Nicholas told the Americans to “shut it,” King got fiery mad at her good friend.

Daniel said it was ultimately a misunderstanding, but tempers flared.

Controversy has followed the Solheim Cup since the beginning. Here’s a closer look at some of the event’s biggest blowups:

Solheim Cup Sunday pairings: Danielle Kang once again in lead-off pairing for trailing U.S. team

The Europeans got out to a quick lead in Saturday morning foursomes at the Solheim Cup, and still will sleep on a three-point lead.

One of the final images from Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday at the Solheim Cup was of U.S. captain Pat Hurst huddled over a golf cart with assistant captains Michelle Wie West, Stacy Lewis and former captain Juli Inkster. That group had some serious strategy to consider as the U.S. team left the first day of Solheim Cup matches trailing Europe 5 ½ to 2 ½.

The Europeans got out to a quick lead in Saturday morning foursomes, winning 3 ½ points to the U.S. team’s ½ point. The two sides then split the afternoon four-balls 2-2.

A bit of a rules controversy overshadowed one of those points as the team of Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing won the 13th hole when Korda’s long eagle putt hung on the lip but was picked up too quickly by European opponent Madelene Sagstrom. Rules officials ultimately deemed the putt as holed, giving Korda and Ewing a 1-up advantage they took to the end of the match.

Overall score – Europe 5 ½, USA 2 ½

Sunday foursomes pairings

7:15 a.m. – Georgia Hall and Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) vs. Danielle Kang and Austin Ernst (USA)

7:27 a.m. – Charley Hull and Emily Pedersen (EUR) vs. Lexi Thompson and Brittany Altomare (USA)

7:39 a.m. – Mel Reid and Leona Maguire (EUR) vs. Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing

7:51 a.m. – Anna Nordqvist and Matilda Castren (EUR) vs. Lizette Salas and Jennifer Kupcho

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Competition schedule

Sunday, Sept. 5

Foursomes – 7:15-7:51 a.m.

Fourball – 12:05-12:50 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 6

Singles – 12:05-1:55 p.m.

TV times

You can watch Golf Channel for free on fuboTV. All times ET.

Saturday, Sept. 4

Golf Channel: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 2:30-6 p.m.

NBC: 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 5

Golf Channel: 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1:30-5:30

NBC: 12-1:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 6

Golf Channel: 12-6 p.m.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

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Rules question: Nelly Korda, Ally Ewing win 13th hole in Solheim Cup match after overhanging putt preemptively picked up

The match between Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing and Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Madelene Sagstrom saw a bit of Rules controversy.

Just as emotions run high at the Solheim Cup, reactions are quick. That was the case on Saturday in an afternoon four-ball match between Americans Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing and Europeans Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Madelene Sagstrom that saw a bit of controversy thanks to an overhanging putt and a quick reaction.

Europe had won the first two holes for a quick advantage that Koerstz Madsen and Sagstrom carried through the front nine. The two sides were tied by the par-5 13th, however, where Korda found herself with an eagle putt.

Korda’s long putt rolled right up to the lip and then hung there, causing the world No. 1 to drop to her knees in disbelief that it didn’t fall into the hole. The Rules of Golf allow a player to wait 10 seconds to determine whether or not the ball will actually fall into the hole. The only problem was that the Europeans didn’t wait that long.

Koerstz-Madsen instead conceded the putt by picking up the ball and tossing it back to Korda. An official then determined that because the ball was not given a reasonable amount of time to drop, as granted by the Rules, it was determined to be a holed putt. As a result, Korda and Ewing won the hole with eagle and went 1 up on their opponents.

The LPGA released a statement explaining the situation, citing Rule 13.3b which states that “if the opponent in match play deliberately lifts or moves the player’s ball overhanging the hole before the waiting time has ended, the player’s ball is treated as holed with the previous stroke, and there is no penalty to the opponent under Rule 11.2b.”

It’s a strange circumstance and a call that required a video replay to determine whether or not the ball was actually overhanging the hole.

According to the LPGA, “The chief referee, match referee, observer and TV observer all deemed that Korda’s third shot on No. 13 was overhanging the hole and was picked up by her opponent before the waiting time had ended. Therefore, her third stroke was treated as holed.”

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‘I’m not faking this’: Hype man Bubba Watson didn’t just show up at the Solheim Cup, he went all in

Bubba Watson is making himself useful, and perhaps bringing some more eyes, at this week’s Solheim Cup.

TOLEDO, Ohio – Bubba Watson is everywhere at the Solheim Cup, doing whatever is asked of him. He didn’t just show up to support the women – he stayed. All week. With a radio in his ear and a smile on his face, Watson joined Team USA at the Inverness Club as a helper, giving advice and reportedly filling divots.

Watson reached out to U.S. captain Pat Hurst about a month ago and asked: How can I help?

Can’t think of a better question.

This isn’t just a tweet or a hoodie. It’s a genuine interest and significant time commitment. Watson arrived on Monday for dinner in Toledo and plans to stay until the finish. He missed his 17th wedding anniversary on Wednesday and his nine-year-old son’s football game on Saturday.

“The girls started to realize, this is real,” said Watson. “I’m not faking this. This is not for PR.”

Solheim Cup 2021
Team United States poses for a team photo with Bubba Watson during a practice round ahead of the start of The Solheim Cup at Inverness Club on September 01, 2021 in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Watson is a longtime Ping guy. For years he has talked to the Solheim family, the founders of Ping, about coming out to the biennial event. His wife Angie has played golf many times with Hurst and assistant captain Angela Stanford (both Ping players). Hurst’s husband, Jeff Heitt, is a longtime Ping rep.

Watson already knew Lexi Thompson and Stacy Lewis, and reached out to Nelly Korda earlier this summer after she talked to the media about Watson’s comments about mental health at the U.S. Open.

When Watson didn’t make it to East Lake for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, it seemed the perfect time to walk the talk.

“If I just tell everybody that we need to help ladies sports, or ladies golf, you can’t do it unless you go see for yourself,” said Watson. “You don’t know where the impact can be made.”

All week Watson has pushed out Solheim Cup hype content to his nearly 3 million followers on Instagram and Twitter. He has seen the value that NBA players bring to the WNBA. Watson’s wife Angie played professional basketball.

On the first tee Saturday, Watson told Golf Channel viewers that the world needs to see that “the ladies have just as much talent, if not more than we do.” Lewis, a former No. 1 and Toledo native, nodded her head in agreement.

Being onsite at Inverness means Watson can not only see the talent firsthand, but also the difference in budget between a Ryder Cup and a Solheim Cup.

Would he like to see the men and women come together on this kind of stage?

“Not to down the Presidents Cup,” he said, “but the Presidents Cup doesn’t have the history. There’s history, but it’s not the same. If you could somehow mix it.”

He’d also like to see the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic become a mixed event. Players could play their own ball, he suggested, but then also have a mixed-team component.

Would his peers be on board with something like that?

“Who cares, you know what I’m saying? Truthfully, we’re entertainers,” he said, “and I think we miss that boat, too. I understand, I want to win majors. I know all these guys want to win majors, all these girls. But at the end of the day, we’re getting paid because we’re entertainers. If that’s going to bring the entertainment value up for all of golf … why would they not be?”

From left, Bubba Watson, Jessica Korda, Ally Ewing, Megan Khang, Stacy Lewis and Nelly Korda approach the seventh green during practice for the Solheim Cup golf tournament, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Of course, Watson admits, it took some time for him to come to this realization. The 42-year-old said his two children helped to change his perspective. He doesn’t want to be defined or remembered simply for his two Masters victories.

“The trophies and the playing helps me do other things,” he said, “the things that are better for the world.”

And sometimes, all it takes is showing up.

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Competition schedule

Sunday, Sept. 5

Foursomes – 7:15-7:51 a.m.

Fourball – 12:05-12:50 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 6

Singles – 12:05-1:55 p.m.

TV times

You can watch Golf Channel for free on fuboTV. All times ET.

Saturday, Sept. 4

Golf Channel: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 2:30-6 p.m.

NBC: 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 5

Golf Channel: 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1:30-5:30

NBC: 12-1:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 6

Golf Channel: 12-6 p.m.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Europe jumps out to three-point lead at Solheim Cup after Korda sisters lose early

The morning foursomes session ended in Europe’s favor. Now check out what’s on tap for Saturday afternoon fourballs.

TOLEDO, Ohio – For a morning that felt close until the finish, it certainly ended lopsided. Europe leads by three points going into afternoon four-balls at the Solheim Cup, with all four foursomes matches going to the 18th hole. No pairing led by more than 2 up throughout the session.

Anna Nordqvist, the recent AIG Women’s British Open winner, hit the opening tee shot at the Inverness Club in front of a horseshoe arena that was jam-packed with American fans. The reliable Swede went out with rookie Matilda Castren and set the pace for the Europeans, putting the first point on the board against Danielle Kang and Austin Ernst.

“I’m really proud of Matilda to go out there as a rookie and just be fearless,” said Nordqvist.

“She putted really well today and kept us in play.”

World No. 1 Nelly Korda and sister Jessica were unbeatable in this format in 2019, crushing opponents by wide margins. But the feisty pairing of veteran Mel Reid and rookie Leona Maguire took the early lead on the fourth hole and never relinquished, with Maguire knocking in testy par putts until the last to give Europe the 1-up victory.

After Jessica pitched in for birdie on the 13th, it looked like the Kordas might make a late charge. But the Europeans didn’t give them any windows.

“We couldn’t get into a rhythm at the start,” said Jessica. “It’s a tough golf course, and I think you can see that playing it. Not a lot of birdies to have. We just couldn’t get into a groove. It’s just tough, but we came back and gave it our best.

“But Leona made everything coming in, and it’s tough to kind of do anything when they make no mistakes. I don’t even think they made like a team bogey.”

Charley Hull has never lost in foursomes and kept that streak alive with partner Emily Pedersen. The pair came roaring back against Lexi Thompson and Brittany Altomare, winning three of the last four holes to clinch the full point.

“I actually like being – not cheered against – but hearing the ‘USA’ ones because it makes you want to win more,” said Hull, who is now 5-0-1 in the format.

Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall went 3-0 together at Gleneagles and looked in danger of losing their first match before things started to shift late. Ally Ewing missed a short par putt on the 18th to halve the match. The Americans had led since the first hole.

Though Team USA players find themselves down early, it is a familiar position as they haven’t won a Day 1 foursomes session since 2007.

Jessica Korda and Kang are among those who will sit in the afternoon.

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Overall score – Europe 3.5, USA .5

Saturday foursomes results – Europe 3.5, USA .5

Matilda Castren/Anna Nordqvist (EUR) def. Austin Ernst/Danielle Kang (USA), 1 up

Celine Boutier/Georgia Hall (EUR) tied with Ally Ewing/Austin Ernst (USA)

Leona Maguire/Mel Reid (EUR) def. Nelly Korda/Jessica Korda (USA), 1 up

Charley Hull/Emily K. Pedersen (EUR) def. Brittany Altomare/Lexi Thompson, 1 up

Saturday fourball pairings (all times Eastern)

12:35 p.m. – Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Madelene Sagstrom (EUR) vs. Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing (USA)

12:50 p.m. – Carlota Ciganda and Sophia Popov (EUR) vs. Jennifer Kupcho and Lizette Salas (USA)

1:05 p.m. – Anna Nordqvist and Matilda Castren (EUR) vs. Lexi Thompson and Mina Harigae (USA)

1:20 p.m. – Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire (EUR) vs. Yealimi Noh and Brittany Altomare (USA)

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