Nelly Korda Shines for Team USA at Solheim Cup
Nelly Korda excelled for Team USA at the Solheim Cup, clinching victories in both her matches on Friday as Stacy Lewis’ side gained a record-breaking 6-2 lead over Team Europe after the opening day of the tournament. The United States is vying for their first victory since 2017.
Team USA made a remarkable start in their quest to end Team Europe’s unbeaten streak by achieving the biggest first-day lead in Solheim Cup history. Stacy Lewis’ side secured three wins out of four matches in the morning foursomes at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. They continued their dominance in the fourballs, extending their lead to a commanding 6-2 advantage over the current holders, Team Europe.
Nelly Korda led from the front, winning both her matches on Friday. She first partnered with Allisen Corpuz to secure a victory in the foursomes before teaming up with Megan Khang for a dominant 6&4 triumph in the fourballs over Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire. This outstanding performance by Korda played a crucial role in Team USA’s strong lead.
Rookies Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel combined forces to defeat Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark 3&2, the only European pairing to have won in the morning foursomes. Additionally, Andrea Lee and Rose Zhang secured a 5&4 victory over Charley Hull and Linn Grant.
The afternoon session saw a notable performance from Madelene Sagstrom and Anna Nordqvist, who provided the only positive outcome for Europe by thrashing Lexi Thompson and Alison Lee 6&5. However, despite this, Team Europe faces a monumental task in successfully defending the trophy and completing a historic ‘four-peat’.
The four-point cushion marks the highest advantage after the opening day of the Solheim Cup and is the most substantial lead after eight matches since the inaugural edition in 1990. Team USA now needs 8.5 points over the final two days to claim their first victory in the event since 2017.
Korda’s exceptional play was marked by three birdies in a four-hole stretch from the third, while Khang made back-to-back birdies from the seventh to propel the USA pair five ahead. The pair ultimately secured their victory with a record-breaking winning margin, in which Korda signed off with an eagle putt at the par-five 14th.
In another match, Nordqvist and Sagstrom initially gained the upper hand with a birdie at the first, but the USA leveled the score at the par-five fifth before embarking on a dominant run of holes. The European duo ultimately secured victory with five holes to spare.
Another highlight for Team USA was the performance of Schmelzel, who took the lead in match three with a birdie at the seventh. Coughlin extended the American lead with a birdie on the next hole, and they concluded the match with a well-earned victory.
Overall, Team USA’s dominance on the opening day of the Solheim Cup sets the stage for an exciting and closely contested tournament over the remaining days, highlighting the skill and determination of both teams.
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