England’s Charley Hull and Lottie Woad will open Europe’s campaign in the Solheim Cup foursomes on Friday, tasked with challenging the United States’ leading pairing of Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz. The event is taking place at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
European captain Anna Nordqvist confirmed the choice of Hull and Woad to start the match, noting the pair had practiced together during the week. Ranked seventh and eighth globally, respectively, Hull and Woad face a formidable American duo. Korda, who holds the world No. 1 ranking and claimed two major championship victories this year, teams with Corpuz, a combination that has maintained an unbeaten record in foursomes matches over the past two Solheim Cup editions.
Following the opening match, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and France’s Céline Boutier will compete against Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin. Germany’s Esther Henseleit and Ireland’s Leona Maguire are set to face the American team of Andrea Lee and debutant Lindy Duncan. To close out the morning session, Sweden’s Maja Stark and Linn Grant will play against Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho.
Woad, making her Solheim Cup debut and slated to tee off at 6:40 a.m. BST, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Hull. When asked about managing first-tee nerves, she acknowledged that the experience is difficult to describe and suggested she would learn as she goes.
Both captains emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and maintaining a respectful atmosphere, particularly in light of the disorderly fan behavior witnessed at the Ryder Cup last year. Nordqvist, who briefly addressed the crowd in Dutch, echoed Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald’s approach to acknowledging the host nation. She encouraged fans to “make it loud, make it unforgettable.” Similarly, United States captain Angela Stanford called for enthusiastic support, urging spectators to “be loud and support every woman on this stage.”
The Solheim Cup fosters a team competition that pits Europe against the United States every two years, showcasing some of the top talent in women’s professional golf. This year’s tournament marks a critical opportunity for Europe to reclaim the trophy, with high anticipation surrounding the opening matches.
