Behind Nelly Korda’s prolific play, U.S. storms out to big lead after first day of Solheim Cup
GAINESVILLE, Va. — Much like last year, the United States stormed to an early first-day Solheim Cup lead. But in Spain, the U.S. couldn’t buttress their lead in the afternoon four-ball sessions, giving back three points.
This year, led by the No. 1 player in the world, the Americans made sure that didn’t happen again.
Behind Nelly Korda’s superb leadoff play in the morning foursome and afternoon four-ball sessions, the U.S. stormed to a 6-2 lead over Europe after day one of the Solheim Cup Friday at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, the biggest first-day lead in tournament history.
“Yeah, things went according to plan today,” captain Stacy Lewis said with a smile. “It was a really good day. The energy was awesome out there amongst our team and amongst the players.”
The Floridian won 16 holes across both matches, including all eight par 5s that she played, the most by any Solheim Cup player in a single day since 2015.
“Nelly gained a total of 7 1/2 strokes this afternoon on the field, and they said — the stats guys we work with, they’ve worked Ryder Cups now and Solheim Cups. It’s the highest they’ve ever seen a single session that they have worked,” Lewis said. “Pretty impressive this afternoon.”
Korda started the early session with Allisen Corpuz, and the duo used pin-seeking accuracy to win the opening match of the tournament, 3-and-2, over England’s Charley Hull and Paris Olympics silver medalist Esther Henseleit of Germany, becoming the first American team to win three straight Solheim Cup matches.
