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The 2024 Solheim Cup is set to kick off on Friday, featuring a highly anticipated showdown between Charley Hull and Nelly Korda in the first match of the tournament. The competition begins at 07:05 local time in Virginia, where the two will compete in the foursomes format, where teammates alternate shots.
Charley Hull, an experienced player from England, will partner with German rookie Esther Henseleit. Meanwhile, world number one Nelly Korda will team up with Allisen Corpuz, continuing the successful pairing from last year's contest. The Americans had won both of their foursomes matches in 2023, making Korda and Corpuz a formidable duo.
Suzann Pettersen, captain of Team Europe, expressed her confidence in Hull. "It's nice to get Charley going, she doesn't like to sit around and wait," said Pettersen, showing her strategy of putting experienced players into the first matches. On the other side, Stacy Lewis, the U.S. captain, revealed her reasons for putting Korda out first: "I wanted to send experience out first and there is no better than the world number one."
The United States dominated the first session of last year's Solheim Cup, taking a 4-0 lead. However, Europe fought back to end the contest in a 14-14 draw, retaining the trophy. Europe only needs 14 points this year to retain the Cup, while the U.S. needs 14½ to reclaim it.
The Friday lineup also features several debutants. Europe's Albane Valenzuela will partner with France's Celine Boutier in the second match, while American rookies Lauren Coughlin and Rose Zhang will face them. Another U.S. debutant, Sarah Schmelzel, will team up with world number two Lilia Vu to take on Sweden's Linn Grant and Spain's Carlota Ciganda.
Players such as Leona Maguire and Lexi Thompson will sit out the opening session, a decision both captains defended. Pettersen noted that resting Maguire was a "tough call," while Lewis emphasized that not every pairing will play in every session.
The 2024 Solheim Cup is being held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, with 28 points up for grabs across three days of competition. Europe hopes to retain the Cup for a record fourth consecutive time, while the U.S. aims to break their six-year title drought.
