Solheim Cup Foursomes review
The foursomes have come to an end on day one of the 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Spain. Finca Cortesin starts with a drivable par four followed by two par fives in the first four holes. Finca Cortesin is a par 71 which includes bermuida rough which has proved difficult to get out of. The first format is foursomes which is alternate shot which means will pick on which holes to tee off on and foursomes is more difficult than fourballs. Suzanne Petterson is captain of team Europe and Stacy Lewis is the captain of USA.
The first match is Linn Grant & Maja Stark representing Europe against Lexi Thompson & Megan Khang representing USA. Grant and Stark are both rookies and it was a gamble putting them out first. Thompson hasn’t played well this year but hit a great shot on the first hole which ended up in a greenside bunker. Grant and Stark got off to a slow start as they were three down after three holes. The Swedish duo battled and got the match back to all square through the back nine. Thompson and Khang hit quality iron shots at both 15th & 16th and USA won this match 2 &1.
Match two is Celiene Boutier & Georgia Hall representing Europe against Danielle Kang & Andrea Lee of USA. Boutier and Hall had a great record together in the Solheim Cup as they were unbeaten in both 2019 & 2021. Europe lost the four hole due Kang holing a great putt for birdie. The match was tight for the majority of the game until it came to the 17th hole. Hall hit a great shot to eight feet but the USA responded with a fantastic shot. Boutier missed her putt and Lee holed her putt which menat the match came to an end with another win for USA.
Match three is Leona Maguire & Anna Nordqvist of Europe against Nelly Korda & Allison Corpuz. Korda showed why she is one of the best players in the women’s game as USA were two up on Europe after 13 holes. Maguire and Nordqvist started to battle as they halved both 14th and 15th hole. Maguire holed an amazing putt for birdie to win the 16th hole. Korda hit a quality shot to set up a short range putt for birdie on the 17th hole. Maguire holed an incredible putt for birdie to bring the match up the final hole which was unfortunately lost to USA.
Match four Charley Hull & Emily Pedersen of Europe against Ally Ewing & Cheyerine Knight. Hull was playing with a neck injury and this affected her as she struggled to hit good shots. Pedersen is outside the top 100 in therankings and this showed in the foursome game. Knight and Ewing were amazing aas the were six up after 12 holes. The match came to an end on the 14th hole as USA won 5 & 4.
USA won the foursomes four nil. It’s a long way back for Europe and it needs to start by winning the afternoon fourball session.