Europe and the USA shared the opening session at Bernardus Golf, with two points apiece from Friday’s foursomes before attention turns to an intriguing afternoon fourball line-up.
The 2026 Solheim Cup is finely poised after Europe and the USA emerged from Friday morning’s opening foursomes locked at 2–2 at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
There was plenty of anticipation surrounding the opening match, with Charley Hull partnering Solheim Cup rookie Lottie Woad against the formidable American combination of Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz.
Woad made an encouraging start to her first Solheim Cup, but Korda and Corpuz took control as the match progressed and completed a 4&3 victory. It extended their remarkable unbeaten foursomes partnership to five wins from five.
The USA doubled their advantage when Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin defeated Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Céline Boutier 3&2.
Photo Credit: David Cannon/LPGA via Getty Images
Europe, though, had answers elsewhere on the course.
Maja Stark and Linn Grant secured Europe’s first point of the week with an impressive 3&2 victory over Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho.
Esther Henseleit and Leona Maguire then ensured the opening session would be shared, taking their match with Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan to the 18th before completing a 2UP victory.
Friday morning foursomes results
- USA: Nelly Korda & Allisen Corpuz beat Charley Hull & Lottie Woad 4&3
- USA: Alison Lee & Lauren Coughlin beat Nanna Koerstz Madsen & Céline Boutier 3&2
- Europe: Esther Henseleit & Leona Maguire beat Andrea Lee & Lindy Duncan 2UP
- Europe: Maja Stark & Linn Grant beat Rose Zhang & Jennifer Kupcho 3&2
Hull and Woad go again in the fourballs
With the score level, both captains have made changes for Friday afternoon’s fourballs – although Anna Nordqvist has kept faith with Hull and Woad.
The English pair will lead Europe out again, this time against Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin.
Boutier and Koerstz Madsen are also given an immediate opportunity to respond to their morning defeat when they face Megan Khang and Alison Lee.
Europe’s other two matches bring four fresh players into the contest. English rookie Mimi Rhodes partners France’s Nastasia Nadaud against Allisen Corpuz and Auston Kim.
Esther Henseleit and Leona Maguire then ensured the opening session would be shared, taking their match with Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan to the 18th before completing a 2UP victory.
Experienced Spaniard Carlota Ciganda then partners fellow Spaniard and Solheim Cup rookie Julia López RamÃrez in the final match against world number one Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin.
It means both Korda and Corpuz return immediately after extending their formidable foursomes record, while Europe will have all four players who sat out the morning involved in the afternoon.
Friday afternoon fourballs
- 12.05pm: Charley Hull & Lottie Woad vs Yealimi Noh & Angel Yin
- 12.20pm: Céline Boutier & Nanna Koerstz Madsen vs Megan Khang & Alison Lee
- 12.35pm: Mimi Rhodes & Nastasia Nadaud vs Allisen Corpuz & Auston Kim
- 12.50pm: Carlota Ciganda & Julia López RamÃrez vs Nelly Korda & Lauren Coughlin
With four more points available, neither side has been able to establish an early advantage – and Friday afternoon now offers the first opportunity for one team to take control of the 2026 Solheim Cup.
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