According to reports from Bernardus Golf, Lottie Woad and Charley Hull became the first two of 43 competitors to ever play all four team sessions in a single edition without earning a full point, finishing with an 0-3-1 record after dropping their Saturday evening match. European captain Anna Nordqvist defended her pairings despite the struggles, while the U.S. team capitalized on a 3-1 session win to draw level at 8-8 heading into Sunday singles.
Solheim Cup History Made as Woad and Hull Struggle
Entering the weekend at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, expectations ran high for Europe’s top talent. Woad, ranked seventh in the world, and eighth-ranked Hull formed what captain Anna Nordqvist designated as Plan A. Yet, according to tournament data, the duo made unwanted history as the first two of 43 competitors to play all four team sessions in a single edition without securing a full point.
Despite the winless record, the numbers show the pairing did not necessarily play poorly. Woad and Hull combined to shoot 18 under in 64 holes. Their adversaries accumulated a collective 31-under score, with Andrea Lee and Yealimi Noh contributing roughly a third of that total (10 under) during Saturday’s afternoon matches.
“We can’t really fault each of our games,” Hull said. “Just couldn’t buy a putt.”
Woad echoed her partner’s assessment, noting that match play often comes down to fine margins and momentum. “Everyone’s played amazing when we’ve played them,” Woad stated. “So, yeah, it’s just match play, isn’t it? You can play bad and win and play well and lose.”
U.S. Team Momentum After Late Saturday Surge
The Americans seized control of the afternoon session thanks to a strong finish by Jennifer Kupcho. Jennifer Kupcho secured the anchor match for the U.S. by rolling in two clutch birdies on Saturday evening—highlighted by a massive 90-foot putt on the sixteenth hole—propelling the visiting side to a 3-1 session victory and an even 8-8 tie before Sunday’s singles play.
U.S. captain Angela Stanford praised her squad’s resilience against top European competition. “Anytime you go up against their best, you continue to play well and put points up, it’s big,” Stanford said.
Given their historical strength in the finale format—boasting a cumulative score 25 points higher than the European side since the competition began—the United States enters the concluding day with major momentum.
Pro Tip: Match Play Momentum
Nordqvist Sticks to Plan A Amid European Questions
Captain Anna Nordqvist faced at least one significant question: Will her commitment to “trusting the process” cost Europe this Solheim Cup? Channeling the spirit of iconic ice hockey skipper Herb Brooks, Nordqvist maintained an unwavering stance when addressing her struggling top-10 pair during the Saturday lunch break.
“That was Plan A,” Woad confirmed regarding her four appearances alongside Hull.
While the strategy yielded mixed results for Woad and Hull, Nordqvist’s broader lineup management proved varied. She maintained confidence in the pairing despite their lack of converted putts. “I think they’re doing everything they can, or, everything right, but they just haven’t really holed those momentum putts this week,” Nordqvist said. “So, I have full trust and confidence in them and … I’m looking forward to see them play tomorrow.”
Elsewhere across the European roster, Nordqvist capitalized on the red-hot form of Linn Grant and Maja Stark, as the Swedish duo pushed their record to 3-0 by capturing their initial fourball victory together. Yet she also dismantled her previously undefeated 2-0 rookie combination of Mimi Rhodes and Natasia Nadaud—benching Rhodes while teaming Nadaud with Leona Maguire (who brought a 2-0 foursomes mark into the pairing)—assigned Carlota Ciganda her eleventh unique Solheim Cup teammate, and opted to keep long-hitter Julia Lopez Ramirez on the bench for the third time across four sessions.
Sunday Singles Lineup and What Lies Ahead
With the score locked at 8-8, attention shifts entirely to Sunday’s 12 head-to-head singles matches at Bernardus Golf. Hull will lead off against Megan Khang, while Woad draws rookie Auston Kim in the eighth of 12 matches.
Nordqvist expressed optimism about her players’ readiness for the final test. “We’re playing the best players in the world from both teams, so it’s going to be some tough matches, going to be a lot of good golf not being rewarded,” she noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Lottie Woad and Charley Hull paired with on Sunday?
In Sunday singles, Charley Hull leads off against Megan Khang, while Lottie Woad draws rookie Auston Kim in the eighth of 12 matches.
What was the score heading into Sunday at Bernardus Golf?
The Solheim Cup score was tied 8-8 after the Americans took the session 3-1.
Why did European captain Anna Nordqvist keep Woad and Hull together?
Nordqvist stated that keeping the pair together was her Plan A and expressed full trust and confidence in them despite missing crucial putts.
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