Solheim Cup Report: Europe fight back after USA dominate foursomes

Europe staged an afternoon fightback and have the momentum on their side despite trailing the United States 5-3.

The USA flew out of the blocks, winning all four of the opening foursomes matches. But Europe came roaring back, with a 3-1 win in the afternoon fourballs.

What happened on the opening day?

The USA were electric in the foursomes, claiming a 4-0 whitewash, but it’s Europe who might be the happier group after the first day.

It was American domination in the morning session. All four matches went the way of the visitors, and it started from the very first group.

In her sixth appearance, Lexi Thompson had the privilege of hitting the first tee shot at the driveable par-4 1st. Playing alongside Megan Khang, the pair went 3-up through three holes against Swedish rookies Linn Grant and Maja Stark.

The Swedes fought back to be level at one point, but Thompson and Khang eventually won 2&1.

Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee played together for the first time, and took down the European blockbuster pairing of Celine Boutier and Georgia Hall, who were previously unbeaten.

Nelly Korda was the only player to find the water on the first, but she was on the winning side, alongside Allisen Corpuz.

The last match of the morning saw Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight run riot, beating Charley Hull and Emily Kristine Pedersen 5&4, having been 6up at one point.

The afternoon fourballs were a different story, as there was no red on the board come the end of play.

Megan Khang played alongside Rose Zhang in the opening match, tying with the European pairing of Gemma Dryburgh and Madelene Sagstrom.

Emily Kristine Pedersen played alongside Maja Stark in the afternoon, and they tied their contest with Allisen Corpuz and Jennifer Kupcho.

Home favourite Carlota Ciganda had to be patient to feature in front of the partisan Spanish crowd. It was worth the wait, though, as she won 4&2 alongside Linn Grant. The pair got the better of Ally Ewing and Angel Yin.

After tasting defeat in the Solheim Cup for the first time in the morning, Leona Maguire provided a moment of magic to win 1-up alongside Georgia Hall, beating Lexi Thompson and debutant Lilia Vu.

What was the biggest talking point?

Charley Hull admitted that she was not at 100 per cent prior to the Solheim Cup getting underway on Friday morning.

Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen put her out in the last match of the opening session.

It proved to be a bad judgement call. Hull and partner Emily Kristine Pedersen lost 5&4, were never in the contest. They were six down through 10, and Hull looked uneasy throughout.

It could have been worse for Team Europe. John Huggan, of Golf Digest, reported the Englishwoman arrived in the nick of time to the first tee.

Hull had apparently lost track of time on the range and captain “Suzann Pettersen went looking for her star player”.

Pettersen chose to sit Hull out of the afternoon fourballs, so the Englishwoman could rest up and receive treatment on the neck issue that is plaguing her.

Will we see the European taliswoman back on Saturday? If we do, will she be at her best? If not, how much will Team Europe miss her?