The 20th Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands opened with a fiercely contested 4-4 tie between Europe and the United States after the first day of competition, according to tournament results. Friday’s action culminated in a dramatic finish on the 18th green, where Carlota Ciganda secured an improbable half-point to keep the overall match deadlocked heading into Day 2.
Opening Day Foursomes and Better-Ball Breakdown
Play opened with a split in the morning foursomes format, where the U.S. captured the first two matches before the European side claimed the final two, according to event records. The afternoon better-ball session mirrored the morning parity, with both sides securing two points apiece.
European captain Anna Nordqvist kept together both pairings that suffered defeats in the alternate-shot session, a gamble that yielded mixed outcomes. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad surrendered a 3-up lead through 11 holes to settle for a half-point. Meanwhile, Celine Boutier and Nanna Koerstz Madsen dropped their second match of the day, falling 5 and 3 to Megan Khang and Alison Lee.
Match-by-Match Results from Bernardus Golf
In Match 5, Charley Hull and Lottie Woad of Europe tied with U.S. players Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin. The European duo built two separate 3-up leads, but the Americans repeatedly clawed back. Noh converted a critical birdie on the par-4 17th to level the match, and despite late pressure with music playing in the background, both sides halved the 18th hole.
Match 6 saw Megan Khang and Alison Lee dominate Celine Boutier and Nanna Koerstz Madsen 5 and 3. After dropping two of the first three holes, the American pair capitalized on European miscues, including consecutive water shots on the sixth hole, followed by an eagle from Lee on the par-5 10th.
In Match 7, Solheim Cup rookies Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud defeated Allisen Corpuz and Auston Kim 2 and 1. Trailing early, Rhodes birdied the seventh hole to draw level and added another on the 10th to take a lead the European pair never relinquished.
Ciganda’s Heroics Seal Day 1 Tie
The day’s marquee finish unfolded in Match 8, where Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin squared off against Carlota Ciganda and cup rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez. The top-ranked Americans traded blows with the Spanish duo across a volatile back nine.
Ciganda holed an eagle on the par-5 16th to draw level, setting up a tense conclusion on the 18th. After missing the fairway off the tee and struggling with her second shot, Ciganda executed a brilliant approach to 12 feet. Following misses from Korda and Coughlin, Ciganda drained the par save to secure the half-point.
Pro Tip: Saturday’s play will include four foursomes and four fourball matches, with coverage beginning on Golf Channel and Golf Channel mobile at 1:30 a.m. (ET).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall score of the Solheim Cup after Day 1?
Europe and the U.S. are tied 4-4 following the opening foursomes and better-ball sessions at Bernardus Golf.
Where is the 20th Solheim Cup taking place?
The tournament is being held at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
How can fans watch the weekend sessions?
Live coverage airs on Golf Channel and the Golf Channel mobile app beginning at 1:30 a.m. ET.
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