Ewan Murray on a difficult start to the Solheim Cup on the course for Europe and off the course for the organisers.

A tough day for Europe. An excellent one for Nelly Korda.

Suzann Pettersen initially looked a little shell-shocked talking to television but also perked up a bit as she voiced the task. “We have a big task ahead of us,” she said. “Today is history. The Americans played well. We’ve played decent but some semi-poor decisions along the way. We need to roll up our sleeves. We need to find some power within you. This will have to come from the players. I need to find the right words for them tonight. But I will.” The notion that errors have been made by the players and that drive must come from within them is interesting.

European vice captain Mel Reid on the mood in the camp: “Emotions are high but the spirits are not down. We’ve come up against a very good side. The Americans holed everything and can’t do that all week. Suzann has a few points to make about improving strategy. At times we were a little independent with team play. We made some silly mistakes. Suzann made a very fine speech last night. We do believe that we can still win this, though. We have to go out strong tomorrow.”

Nelly Korda is not alone in going 2&0 on day one. Rose Zhang, Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel have also won two points.

An appropriate image to remember this day. Nelly Korda enjoyed a wonderful start. She was clearly enjoying herself, her driving was long and straight, her iron approaches set up birdie and eagle opportunities, and her putter converted plenty of them. This could be a defining week for the world number one.

America has a record lead. No Solheim Cup team has ever led 6-2 after the first day. Europe was in a difficult spot when trailing 4-0 after last year’s first session, but this year it will be tougher still. On the Friday night 12 months ago Suzann Pettersen admitted: “It would probably not be appropriate to repeat what I said to my team. But I think it was needed. They got the message.” Can she repeat the dose of whatever nuclear invective she delivered? And if she can, will it work again?

It’s been quite the day for Solheim Cup rookie and Virginia native Lauren Coughlin. Take a bow.

The last remaining match of the day has reached the par-3 16th green. Lauren Coughlin has 35 feet birdie … and drains it for the win!

US captain Stacy Lewis speaks to TV: “It’s been a really good day. It’s played out how we hoped it would. The players got us a ton of points. We’ve had more balance in the fourballs (this year). I put extra focus on that. Last year we got flat. This year I got energy.” In her little backpack, with her ear piece in, and flinty eyes, Lewis looks a little like a store detective. Europe probably wishes she’d spent the last 12 months chasing shoplifters.

How close was Andrea Lee to closing out her match with an albatross?! This close.

TV says that Rose Zhang and Andrea Lee played the last six holes of their match in 8-under! “We had so much fun,” says Zhang. “We ham and egged it so well. It was nice to see some putts go in.” Lee adds: “I got off to a slow start but Rose was solid. I was glad to make a run from the 9th hole. Rose had a couple of 40 foot bombs drop.”

Andrea Lee inches from an albatross! Her approach to the par-five 14th from 180 yards shaves the hole. A wonderful blow. It essentially secures another point for USA.

We’ve got noise now, by the way. The last two matches out are reaching the well-populated areas. Much more like it. Emily Pedersen makes a very fine up-and-down from the greenside bunker to secure a birdie-4 at 14. Coughlin has not been conceded but her partner Sarah Schmelzel knocks in her birdie putt to earn a half. The American pair head up 15 three up.

Now Lauren Coughlin almost holes out from the fairway, about 50 yards short of the par-5 14th green. What a day, what a summer, what a year the 31-year-old has enjoyed. She’s a Virginian native, too! How could she possibly have dreamt this on New Year’s Eve?

Now it is Andrea Lee’s turn. US captain Stacy Lewis, watching with a little rucksack on her back, fist pumps as Rose Zhang’s partner drops a 20 foot birdie. Linn Grant follows her in from a little closer to halve the hole. The US team remains four up with just five to play.

It’s beginning to look a lot like an unlucky Friday the 13th for Europe. The current state of affairs:

6&4 Korda/Khang v Hall/Maguire (F)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson v Norqvist/Sagstrom 6&5 (F)
Coughlin/Schmelzel 3UP v Pedersen/Stark (13)
Lee (Andrea)/Zhang 4UP v Grant/Hull (12)

Birdie for Sarah Schmelzel at 13 takes her and Lauren Coughlin three up on Maja Stark and Emily Pedersen. It’s almost impossible to see Europe doing anything other than sleeping on a four point deficit. They need something special.

There’s a slightly odd and flat atmosphere out there. Surely there should be more noise, not least from the American galleries? It’s maybe that the fans are all congregated in the wrong part of the course? It has, by the way, been notable there has been very little noise made by any European fans today – and not just because the golf hasn’t prompted it yet. They just don’t seem to be there, which tallies with the feelings (and fears) of Ladies European Tour staff ahead of the week.

Rose Zhang repeats her Jordan Spieth impression again! It’s remarkable. From 25 feet this time, at 12, for a winning eagle-3. She and Andrea Lee now lead four up with six to play. Opponent Linn Grant is wearing a shirt with no arms. It looks a little like she has rolled her sleeves up. Metaphorically and literally she needs exactly that and more.

Bucket hat brilliance from the Swedes this afternoon.

Anna Nordqvist on her win this afternoon: “We had a lot of fun out there.” Her partner Madelene Sagstrom: “Suzann believed in us. I said to Anna I am so excited to play with her. That first tee was electric.”

Nordqvist on the rest of the match: “I believe in the team. There is a lot of golf left.”

And now Roze Zhang reminds us she can putt. It always feels as if she’s more dangerous from distance than close to the hole. A touch of early years Jordan Spieth about her this afternoon/evening. Her latest effort takes her and Andrea Lee three up on Linn Grant and Charley Hull through 11. The match was tied through eight. The European pair resemble a dinghy out on the lake that is springing leaks.

Lots for Nelly Korda to smile about today.

Elsewhere there is good news for Europe … and more bad news. A huge winning putt from Madelene Sagstrom at 12 takes her and Anna Nordqvist five up in match two. But Europe trails two down in both the bottom two matches.

Oh yikes. Linn Grant misses from three feet at 10. That hurts. She and Charley Hull lose the hole and trail two down in the last match.

The US rookies are rock solid so far. Sarah Schmelzel drains from 12 feet at 11 to go two up with Lauren Coughlin in the third match.

Another par-5, another Nelly Korda masterclass. A 4-hybrid into the 14th green has left her about 15 feet for eagle. On TV, the ever-astute Karen Stupples notes that in winning 3&2 this morning and being on the brink of a second victory now, Korda has garnered two points and not over-exerted herself. That doesn’t factor in emotional fatigue, of course, but physically she ought to be up to five matches if Lewis wants.

There are few finer sights in golf than the recoil of a Charley Hull drive. The follow through is like a medieval trebuchet (a kind of catapult). Unfortunately, her drive at the short par-4 10th skittles through the galleries, across the 11th tee box and disappears into the long grass surrounding the lake like a water vole fleeing a predator.

A busy little period. Emily Pedersen finds the green at the 277 yard par-4 10th with a 3-wood and two putts for a winning birdie. She and Maja Stark now trail by only one hole. Europe could still win the afternoon session 3-1 but they need a good two hours.

Korda/Khang 5UP v Hall/Maguire (13)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson v Nordqvist/Sagstrom 4UP (11)
Coughlin/Schmelzel 1UP v Pedersen/Stark (10)
Lee (Andrea)/Zhang v Grant/Hull 1UP (9)

Back to the action. Nelly Korda and Meghan Khang are closing in on victory at the 13th green. Korda just comes up shy of birdie from 18 feet. Khang has a much shorter opportunity, about six feet, and also misses it. Maguire now has five feet for birdie and to extend the contest. In it goes.

Meanwhile Anna Nordqvist secures birdie at 11 from eight feet. She and Madelene Sagstrom lead in the second match four up.

We interrupt coverage of the 2024 Solheim Cup for Tiger Woods news. Yet more surgery for him. It seems to be a never-ending story.

We haven’t seen enough of the Lexi Thompson lean today. It’s a classic Solheim spot. Feet planted, swing completed, body hanging on to the club like someone who went fishing and caught something much, much bigger than they ever expected to land. She finds the green at the par-three 11th but Anna Nordqvist has a much shorter birdie putt coming up. Advantage Sweden in match two.

In the last few minutes Nelly Korda has reduced a par-4 to a par-3 and a par-5 to a par-4. “Rein back the ball,” chants no-one on the course today. Her eagle has been conceded. She and Meghan Khang now lead six up with six to play. Europe needs to close well in those bottom two matches.

Korda/Khang 6UP v Hall/Maguire (12)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson v Nordqvist/Sagstrom 3UP (10)
Coughlin/Schmelzel 2UP v Pedersen/Stark (9)
Lee (Andrea)/Zhang A/S Grant/Hull (8)

Oh Nelly Korda – that is world number one quality. The par-five 12th: she flushes a drive and has 5-iron to the green. She flushes that and now has four feet for an eagle-3. Partner Meghan Khang leads the choruses of “USA!”

Lauren Coughlin is utterly unflappable. A 12 foot birdie putt for the win at eight? Cow bells ringing in the gallery? Cup debut? No fuss. In it pops. She and Sarah Schmelzel lead two up on Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark.

Madelene Sagstrom has eight feet for birdie and the hole at 9. In it drops. She and Anna Nordqvist are two up on Alison Lee and Lexi Thompson.

Up ahead, Leona Maguire is in a pickle at 11. It’s a par-three, her ball came up just short of water, among mud, rocks and rooty strands of grass. He punch doesn’t find the green. Georgia Hall did, however, find the putting surface and has 18 feet for birdie and the win. Five down, she needs it … and it slips by. Nelly Korda and Meghan Khang are five up with seven to play. “Stay out there as long as you can,” says Cup veteran Karen Stupples on TV.

The Swedish bucket hats are working. Anna Nordqvist drains a 30 foot birdie putt to go one up with Madelene Sagstrom in the second match out. It’s a good few minutes for Swedish putting. Linn Grant’s birdie at seven gets her and Charley Hull all square in the last match. Europe can still change the complexion of the contest this afternoon.

The green at 10 is perched on a bluff that overhangs the lake at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. The hopes of Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire are hanging over a big drop, too. The gutsy Hall drained a 45 foot putt for par but Nelly Korda secures birdie. She and Meghan Khang lead five up with eight to play.

Sarah Schmelzel drains a 15 foot birdie putt at seven and the pressure is rising for Europe. The rookie’s blow moves herself and Lauren Coughlin one up through seven in match three. USA lead in three matches and is all square in the other. It gets worse. Korda was two inches from finding the green at 10 in one blow; her opponents have failed to hit it in two.

Andrea Lee has been quiet so far but taps in for birdie at six. It wins the hole for her and Rose Zhang. They lead Linn Grant and Charley Hull 1 up.

Meanwhile at 10, set up as a driveable par-4 this session, Nelly Korda hits an imperious blow that finishes inches off the green. Advantage USA.

Korda/Khang 4UP v Hall/Maguire (9)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson A/S Nordqvist/Sagstrom (7)
Coughlin/Schmelzel A/S Pedersen/Stark (6)
Lee (Andrea)/Zhang 1UP Grant/Hull (6)

Georgia Hall makes a birdie! Phew. Instantly the 2018 AIG Women’s Open champion looks less downbeat. It wins her and Leona Maguire the ninth and the Europeans are now “only” four down. Their opponent Meghan Khang, by the way, is wearing socks that look like football socks but they are short so only cover the ankle and some of the calf. The effect is rather like a 1970s footballer without the shinpads. Hall has aimed a little kick in their direction with that putt.

A taste of Rose Zhang’s electric putting this afternoon.

We mentioned earlier that Lauren Coughlin had just three top 10s on the LPGA (not one a top five) ahead of this year and that in 2024 she’s had eight top 10s, two of them wins. Her fellow rookie and current partner Sarah Schmelzel is similar. She’d recorded eight top 10s on the LPGA ahead of this year and has added another seven already. They’re both in their 30s, slow learners, but looking very solid today. They both won this morning and are all square with Europe’s only winners Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark through six.

Korda/Khang 5UP v Hall/Maguire (8)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson A/S Nordqvist/Sagstrom (7)
Coughlin/Schmelzel A/S Pedersen/Stark (6)
Lee (Andrea)/Zhang A/S Grant/Hull (5)

Meghan Khang converts another short birdie putt. She and Nelly Korda now lead in the top match 5 up through eight. The out of form Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire are not being revived by their past Solheim Cup glory. Both have top-scored for Europe but look deflated today.

Another huge putt drops for Rose Zhang. Such a delicate shot, with perfect speed and a superb read. A birdie at five, Charley Hull can’t equal it from 15 feet – the bottom match is back to all square.

Not that the Swedes Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom would know it, but there is a definite Bazball vibe going on with them. At least with their bucket hats. Not quite so frenetic with their golf. Sagstrom got married last weekend and her husband is on Nordqvist’s bag this week. Quite the honeymoon. They remain all square with Lexi Thompson and Alison Lee after all four players spurn birdie chances at six.

Feisty Meghan Khang joins the birdie party in the top match. She makes one when partner Nelly Korda can’t and the pair now lead Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire four up through seven. That’s a significant disadvantage for the Europeans against a duo including the world number one.

Linn Grant walks in a birdie-2 at four and she and Charley Hull are now one up again. It’s important for the Europeans to see some blue on the leaderboard (although we keep being told that there are not many leaderboards on the course – is that a Stacy Lewis ploy maybe?!).

Roars around the course. Nelly Korda makes birdie at 6 to go three up in the top match. Rose Zhang drains a much longer putt (from another state claims the commentary team) to bring the final match back to all square. And then Lexi Thompson makes birdie at five from 18 feet to go all square in the second match. Minutes ago Europe looked close to sitting 3-1 up in this session, now the provisional score is 2.5-1.5 to the Americans.

Korda/Khang 3UP v Hall/Maguire (6)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson A/S Nordqvist/Sagstrom (5)
Coughlin/Schmelzel A/S Pedersen/Stark (5)
Lee (Andrea)/Zhang A/S Grant/Hull (3)

The on-course commentator Jim Gallagher gets in a bit of a muddle. “Emily Pedersen didn’t hole much this morning,” he says. “But it’s a different day this afternoon.” Tremendous. Pedersen missed her birdie putt at 4, Maja Stark also missed, Sarah Schmelzel has eight feet for par. She drains it. Well played rookie. Pedersen then misses her par putt. Jeepers. Now Stark is under pressure – and all this after Lauren Coughlin’s ball went for a swim. Stark … makes it look straightforward. Par. Half. Still tied.

Hmm, a potentially key point in the day, maybe? Europe lead in two, USA in one and the tied match might be about to go the way of the Europeans. Lauren Coughlin has found water at 4 and partner Sarah Schmelzel has dragged her tee shot into sand. Their European opponents will have two looks at birdie from on the green.

Clutch from Lexi Thompson. She holes from eight feet for birdie at four to halve the hole with the Swedes. Up ahead Nelly Korda pops a short birdie putt in the hole to go two up in the first match. And then Sarah Schmelzel cleans up a par to halve the third.

A little bit of history as these fourballs take shape. Pretty much everyone now knows that Europe is seeking to become the first Solheim Cup team to retain the trophy four times in a row. That’s the history they are chasing. But the USA faces the appalling prospect of becoming the first Solheim or Ryder Cup team to go four matches without lifting the cup since Europe/GB&I were utterly hapless in the Ryder Cup of the 1970s and early 1980s. That’s a bleak prospect for the hosts.

Charley Hulls knocks in a short putt to win the first in the last match with a par. Sloppy from the Americans. A very early advantage for the visitors on the scoreboard.

Korda/Khang 1UP v Hall/Maguire (4)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson v Nordqvist/Sagstrom 1UP (3)
Coughlin/Schmelzel A/S Pedersen/Stark (2)
Lee (Andrea)/Zhang v Grant/Hull 1UP (1)

What’s the key to good fourball golf? I spoke to the strategy consultant Duncan Carey a few years ago (he was involved in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in 2018) and he stressed that two golfers who hit a lot of greens are the ideal combination because they will more often have two birdie putts.

Lauren Coughlin doesn’t miss with her birdie putt to equal Maja Stark’s effort at 2. Ahead of this year, Coughlin had just three top 10s on the LPGA with not one top five. This year she’s recorded eight top 10s, two of them wins.

Great golf at 2. Lauren Coughlin hits her approach to five feet and Maja Stark bests it by leaving her ball inches from the hole – it is conceded. Up ahead Georgia Hall has a fine opportunity to return to all square in the first match out but misses from nine feet.

Some extraordinary vocals from the announcer on the first tee. Linn Grant is a little pumped from his efforts and thumps her ball through the dogleg into the rough, Charley Hull flays her drive right and finds sand. Rose Zhang follows Hull into the bunker but is further back. Andrea Lee is the shortest hitter of the four and steers her ball into the middle of the fairway. Everyone is out on the course and … Nelly Korda makes a birdie at 3 to win the hole and go one up.

And to the final match. Sweden’s Linn Grant and England’s Charley Hull combine for Europe, taking on the all-Stanford University partnership of Andrea Lee and Rose Zhang for Team USA. The latter played together once last year and lost 2&1. Those present for Team Europe prepare for this clash by grabbing a quick photo with Barack Obama.

A little aside about this morning’s foursomes results and the ongoing backward slide of Celine Boutier in the Solheim Cup. Since she went 4-0-0 on her debut in 2019, the Frenchwoman has gone a slightly worrying 1-5-1.

The third match of the session sees this morning’s only winning European team reunited. Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark are up against the US rookie combo of Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel. Meanwhile, Khang misses her golden chance to win 2 – the opener remains all square.

Korda/Khang A/S Hall/Maguire (2)
Lee (Alison)/Thompson v Nordqvist/Sagstrom 1UP (1)

Anna Nordqvist has 12 feet for birdie and a win on the first. Bang in the middle. Early blue on the board. Nordqvist is a European Solheim Cup legend who has top-scored and also made a hole in one. She’s also a playing vice captain this week.

Meghan Khang’s ball is tight to the flag on 2. Partner Nelly Korda is further away. Europe will have two long distance birdie putts on the same green but they might need to hole one of them for a half.

Europe’s captain Suzann Pettersen is bullish as she talks to Amy Rodgers on TV. “We’re trending,” she says, referring to an improved first session compared to last year. “It’s progression. I thought it was a good morning. We’re on the board. Fun to see the girls go out there and play. We have a strong team out there this afternoon.”

The first hole in the first match is halved. Korda could only make par and Maguire’s birdie putt was makeable but her stroke was very tentative. Europe will hope she just needs warming up. Her Solheim Cup (indeed, her career matchplay record) is very, very good. But her form is poor.

The second match sees the all-Swedish pairing of Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom take on Alison Lee and Lexi Thompson. Nordqvist is straight and solid from the tee so captains have tended to play her most often in the foursomes but her fourball record is better (5-3-0). Sagstrom hadn’t won a point on Friday or Saturday in her first two appearances but won 1.5 points from two fourball starts last year. TV’s Karen Stupples makes the shrewd point that the Swedes have the potential to birdie different holes.

The first quartet has taken aim at the first green. Leona Maguire went first and found it. Meghan Kang missed left and has made an early journey toward the second tee. Georgia Hall is in sand. Nelly Korda has joined Maguire in putting for birdie but the Irishwoman’s ball is the nearest.

Stacy Lewis has a quick chat with TV on the first tee. “I love where we are,” she says. “We’re doing good.”

Plenty of noise for Nelly Korda on the tee. She finds the fairway. Then partner Meghan Khang whips the crowd up yet more and tells them to keep cheering. The pair of them dance off the end of the first tee in a manner vaguely reminiscent of Boo Weekley riding his imaginary horse at the Ryder Cup in 2008.

A reminder for any readers who might be new to the Solheim Cup. This morning’s games involved one ball each and alternate shots. The afternoon both golfers play a ball and the best score counts for their pairing.

The first match out this late afternoon (for us) is Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire up against Nelly Korda and Megan Khang. The European duo played together in both of the last two Solheim Cups in the fourballs (but just the once both times). Most importantly they won both of them. Europe would, of course, love a repeat. Barack Obama is on the first tee to the acclaim of Stacy Lewis and the crowds. “Let’s go USA”! that famous deep voice barks.

Thanks Scott. A slight improvement for Europe on its start 12 months ago (in arrears by a score of 3-1 now as against 4-0 last September), but a vast upgrade for myself. On Friday morning in Spain I contrived to get stuck in a lift on the way to the course. It is alarming how what begins as a funny incident rapidly becomes a panicky one. The same could have been said for Suzann Pettersen’s state of mind when her team was trounced in those foursomes but she and they responded in style. The big question of this afternoon is: how will they rebound from this year’s early deficit?

… and with that, my work here today is done. The afternoon rollercoaster will be driven by our old friend Matt Cooper. Enjoy, enjoy, and I’ll see you tomorrow for the second day of foursomes.

Ally Ewing’s iron into 18 isn’t all that, a push that only just grabs the right-hand edge of the green. But she gets a fortunate kick into the heart of the dancefloor, and will have a look at birdie from 25 feet. However Emily Pedersen is stepping up to the plate when it really matters, and screeches Europe’s second to a couple of feet! It should be enough to secure Europe’s first point … but this is golf we’re talking about here, and there’s many a slip etc. If Jennifer Kupcho rakes in this birdie putt, all bets will be off!

Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 1UP (17)

Maja Stark and Jennifer Kupcho both stripe their drives down 18. They’re side by side. Such a crucial match for Europe. Meanwhile back on the par-three 16th, the jig may be up for the visitors, as while Linn Grant finds the heart of the green, Sarah Schmelzel smoothly sends her tee shot to three feet. Very close to game over.

Emily Pedersen finally gathers herself, and so nearly in spectacular style. She’s inches away from curling in a huge left-to-right swinger from the front of 17. That’s a tap-in for par, enough to rattle Ally Ewing into pulling her short birdie effort wide left. Ewing’s flat stick is costing the USA dear in this match. A salute to Pedersen, who came good there in the clutch after an extremely sticky patch. Europe get away with a huge one, and are now guaranteed half a point. Baby steps, little green shoots.

Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 1UP (17)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (15)

Jennifer Kupcho is up first. From the middle of the 17th fairway, she flings an absolute dart at the flag to five feet. Serious pressure on Maja Stark, who has a dismal lie. Stark can only swish out to the edge of the green. The USA on the verge of completing a huge comeback here. Meanwhile back on 15, Carlota Ciganda has the opportunity to snatch back another hole, but her 15-foot birdie putt is always missing to the right. Sarah Schmelzel tidies up from four feet to secure the half, and in the anchor match, the hosts are two up with three holes to play.

Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 1UP (16)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (15)

Ally Ewing becomes the first player to hit a shot at 17 today. Her drive is perfect, too, striped down the middle. Emily Pedersen is up next, and she sends her fairway wood into the cabbage down the left. Pedersen is all over the place right now. Even if Europe hang on for a point, you’d imagine Suzann Pettersen will take her out of the firing line this afternoon.

Hats off to Maja Stark, who raps her par saver confidently into the cup. Emily Pedersen offers her a fist-bump of thanks. Stark got Europe out of a hole of their own making there. Jennifer Kupcho tidies up for par. Both pairs, in their own separate ways, will feel they got away with a big one there. Europe hold onto their slender lead.

Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 1UP (16)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (14)

… but that doesn’t account for the brilliance of Ally Ewing. She lobs up delicately from the bottom of the grassy swale, a wedge so wonderfully judged that it nearly bounces into the cup. Instead it rolls a couple of feet past. Par most likely secured … but not for Europe, as Emily Pedersen, whose short game has simply crumbled to dust, races a hysterical downhill putt six feet past the hole. This could turn into a huge matchplay switcheroo, and a massive blow for Europe!

Jennifer Kupcho segues from the sublime to the ridiculous, clanking her tee shot at 16 down a swale to the front right of the green. She’s not left her partner with too much green to play with. Maja Stark finds the heart of the green. Advantage Europe there … and there’s a little chink of light emerging from the anchor match, with Carlota Ciganda tidying up for birdie from four feet at 14. She punches the air in celebration, and a situation that was beginning to look desperate for Europe is now … well, it’s still not great, but it’s looking slightly more promising than it did a couple of minutes ago.

Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 1UP (15)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (14)

Ally Ewing cradles the putt to kick-in distance, and Europe’s big lead is further eroded. With the Americans in control of the anchor match, and already two points to the good, the Scandinavian pair really need to dig deep here. Should they not secure a point, having been four up after five holes, and again four up after eight, the reverberations will be felt throughout the European team.

Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 1UP (15)
3UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (13)

Yeah, European nerves are already jangling. Emily Pedersen has looked shaky on the greens; now the problem is extending to her wedges. She duffs her chip from the edge of the green, the ball barely making it ten feet. Not sure why she didn’t putt that. The colour drains from her face. It’s still Europe’s turn. Maja Stark’s long par effort is always dying off to the right, and the USA have two putts to win the hole from 12 feet. What a mess Europe have made of this hole … although you can argue that Jennifer Kupcho forced the mistakes with her brilliant approach.

Jennifer Kupcho is not letting this lie. On 15, Ally Ewing and Emily Pedersen both find the thick stuff up a bank to the right of the fairway. Kupcho is 140 yards away. She muscles a stunning second out of the thick stuff and straight at the flag, ten feet shy. Maja Stark, 20 yards further up the hole, feathers one that only just reaches the fringe. The USA with a big advantage here, and should they reduce the arrears to one, European nerves will seriously start to jangle. A reminder: Europe were four up after five holes in this match.

Maja Stark nearly drains a 100-foot eagle putt on 14. But it rolls eight feet past, and Emily Pedersen, who has been getting a little twitchy on the greens, can’t make the one coming back. Ally Ewing, who passed up a big chance to cut the arrears on the previous hole, makes no mistake this time. And the momentum is firmly with the USA across the board, because Linn Grant’s tee shot at 13 goes up against the face of a bunker, Carlota Ciganda can’t reach the green in regulation, and the USA take full control of the anchor match.

3UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (15)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 2UP (14)
3UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (13)

Celine Boutier steers in a very missable downhill right-to-left slider on 15. It’s a crucial par putt, because it salvages a half and ensures the USA still have some work to do. But the hosts go dormie three, and are guaranteed at least half a point.

3UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (15)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (13)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (12)

Nelly Korda gently presses her golf shoe on Europe’s neck. A 9-iron drawn gently into the par-three 16th. She’s pin high, three feet from the flag. Charley Hull is going to go down swinging, though, in both senses: she replies by sending her effort over the flag to five feet. This match could be over very soon; it could also be back on. Now then.

Charley Hull misses a short par putt on 15. Carlota Ciganda can’t rake in a birdie putt from the fringe on 12 with Lilia Vu right by the hole in three. And Albane Valenzuela isn’t able to put any pressure on Lauren Coughlin by making the long par putt on 14. All of a sudden, this is looking very promising for the USA, with only Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark showing any signs of resistance.

2UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (15)
3UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (14)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (13)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (12)

Jennifer Kupcho sends a glorious second at 13 to four feet. Pressure on Maja Stark, who responds by whipping out of a fairway bunker and using the camber of the green to gather her ball, right-to-left, to six feet. But Emily Pedersen takes a tentative prod at the downhill birdie putt, and it’s always dying off to the left. That opens the door for Ally Ewing … but she smacks into the metaphorical frame, ramming an overly aggressive four-footer slightly off line, the pace ensuring it horseshoes out rather than dropping. Big escape for Europe there.

Celine Boutier, dropping and hitting four into 14, has to get close with her wedge. That’s why she takes an absolute age over the shot, checking yardages, discussing tactics with her caddie. Then it transpires it’s Rose Zhang’s turn anyway! Zhang chips to ten feet, and Europe are in serious trouble now. Boutier only just gets her wedge over the water, but finds the green. Europe need to make their 15-foot putt and hope Lauren Coughlin misses.

From the centre of the 14th fairway, Lauren Coughlin plays it safe and lays up. Albane Valenzuela does no such thing, going for the green and taking on the water. She doesn’t catch her shot at all, and the ball’s destined to plonk in the centre of the lake. Serious advantage to the USA here, two up already as they are.

1UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (14)
2UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (13)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (12)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (11)

Allisen Corpuz walks in her par putt on 14! That’s redemption for the 2023 US Open champion after carelessly following Esther Henseleit into the drink. The USA take the lead again in this see-saw opening rubber. Meanwhile better news for Europe on 12, as the Scandi duo of Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark calmly and carefully use up their shots to secure the hole in the wake of the USA’s error from the teebox.

1UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (14)
2UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (13)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (12)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (10)

Here’s someone who’ll not be put on the clock any time soon: Nelly Korda, who loves nothing better than getting on with the job. The no-faff world number one (there’s got to be a correlation there) chips the USA’s fourth at 14 to 12 feet, plenty inside Charley Hull’s wedge in. Another big putting contest coming up, and while the USA have the advantage here, Europe will be pleased that they’re still in with a shout, because their dreams on this hole looked like disappearing into the lake along with Esther Henseleit’s ball.

Trouble also for the USA in match three, as Jennifer Kupcho’s errant drive on 12 finds a penalty area. The hosts in severe danger of checking their momentum with an unforced error. Meanwhile on 13, Rose Zhang sends a forensic approach from 170 yards to three feet, setting up Lauren Coughlin for a birdie putt she’s never going to miss. In it goes, and she punches the air in delight. The USA taking control of match two after a long back-and-forth struggle.

Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (13)
2UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (13)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 2UP (11)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (10)

Bother for Europe at the par-five 14th. Esther Henseleit finds the water guarding the front of the green. She thought that was homing in on the flagstick, and looks accordingly perplexed. But then Allisen Corpuz attempts the same shot, and though her ball lands on the green, it kicks back off the bank and into the drink as well! Ripples caused in the gallery as well as the water. Wow.

Have to say, NBC’s coverage of this event is beyond erratic. Long passages of filler and pointless graphics, followed by short bursts of hectic action. Speaking of hectic action, Carlota Ciganda is trying her best to speed up; if she gets a second warning from the referee, Europe will lose a hole. Her captain Suzann Pettersen arrives on the scene to advance the need for speed.

Albane Valenzuela’s second at 12 didn’t get wet, and Celine Boutier is able to bump a chip up the bank to eight feet. A chance to salvage the situation … and they’ll need to make birdie because while Rose Zhang can’t get close from the fringe at the back, Lauren Coughlin rams in her birdie putt. Valenzuela pulls her putt and the USA take charge of the second match. Meanwhile another hole slips by for Europe at 11, and Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark, who were four up after five holes, are now just two up. Better news for Europe in the lead match, as Nelly Korda dunks into a greenside bunker, leaving the door open for Esther Henseleit to walk in a 15-foot birdie putt and level their match again.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (13)
1UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (12)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 2UP (11)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (9)

The anchor match is now out of position, more than a hole behind, and they’ve been put on the clock. Carlota Ciganda, ladies and gentlemen. They’ll need to get a wriggle on, but doing so doesn’t compromise their golf, as both Ciganda and Lilia Vu find the heart of the par-three 9th. Meanwhile trouble for Europe on the par-five 12th as Albane Valenzuela tugs her second towards the water on the left. Lauren Coughlin takes advantage by firing her second straight at the flag, the ball bounding through the green but stopping on the fringe at the back.

Nelly Korda hasn’t made a putt yet … so it’s good news for the US that it’s Allisen Corpuz’s turn at 12. She walks in her downhill 18-footer, and Esther Henseleit can’t match her from a similar distance. Charley Hull had dragged Europe back to parity with those back-to-back birdie putts, but the hosts have regained the lead again in short order. This morning’s matches are swinging like a pendulum do. Roger Miller references, the kids can’t get enough of them.

1UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (12)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (10)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (10)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (8)

A putting contest from 20 feet set up on the par-five 12th. It’ll be especially crucial for the US pair of Korda and Corpuz, who won’t want to ship a third hole in a row.

Maja Stark is this close to making another sensational putt. Her 35-footer across 9, over a ridge with a lot of right-to-left swing, somehow defies gravity to stop on the lip. She holds her head in her hands, in a mixture of shock and amusement. The Europeans enjoying themselves … until Jennifer Kupcho rolls in a downhill 15-footer for birdie to cut the USA’s deficit to three.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (11)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (9)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (9)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (7)

Another Nelly Korda birdie opportunity goes by, this time at the par-three 11th. That gives Charley Hull the opportunity to tickle one in from six feet after Esther Henseleit’s fine tee shot. She makes it. Consecutive birdie putts for Hull, and it’s been a fine few minutes for the visiting team.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (11)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (9)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 4UP (8)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (7)

The USA can’t get up and down from the fringe at 9. That means Europe have two putts to win the hole … but Celine Boutier races her 12-foot birdie putt three past. That’s super careless, and puts her partner under severe pressure. But Albane Valenzuela is up to the task, and wipes the red off the board in match two. Meanwhile Ally Ewing needs to make a ten-footer for birdie on 8 just to halve the hole … and that one goes in as well. Some big putts being made here.

1UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (10)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (9)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 4UP (8)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (6)

Nelly Korda blows her cheeks out in frustration as yet another birdie putt slips by the hole. To be fair, this one wasn’t expected to drop, from 20 feet, but the world number one sets herself exacting standards. And her annoyance doubles when Charley Hull rattles one in from half the distance. It does the full 360 before dropping, but drop it does, and Hull bounces off the green in delight.

1UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (10)
1UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (8)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 4UP (7)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (6)

Lauren Coughlin sends her tee shot at the downhill par-three 9th over the back right of the green. A difficult chip coming up. Albane Valenzuela’s effort is much better, landing softly 12 feet to the left of the flag. Birdie chance. Advantage Europe, but then we thought this here in the lead match, and the US escaped with a half.

Maja Stark made some big putts last year; she’s doing it again this morning. She walks in a 20-footer on 7 to restore Europe’s four-up advantage in the third match. Meanwhile in the second, Lauren Coughlin drains a 15-footer, Albane Valenzuela can’t respond, and there’s a good splash of red on the board now.

2UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (9)
1UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (8)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 4UP (7)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (5)

Allisen Corpuz gets lucky on the par-three 9th. A thin tee shot bounds through the green and for a second looks like leaping into the drink behind. But her ball snags in the thick rough. Esther Henseleit finds the green, though she’s further away from the flag than Corpuz, and the US hand the initiative over to Charley Hull, who nearly drains the long birdie putt. Nelly Korda can’t chip in – the lie was no good – but the hole is halved.

2UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (9)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (7)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (6)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (5)

Lilia Vu can’t make the 12-footer for par on 5. Linn Grant walks the birdie putt in anyway, and cuts the USA’s lead in half. But there’s a really careless three-putt bogey for Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark on 6, Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho walking off the green with an extra bounce in their step, the gift checking Europe’s momentum in that match. And there are unforced errors by Europe on 8, Charley Hull hoicking a gap wedge into a greenside bunker, Esther Henseleit flubbing her attempt to splash out. She picks up the ball and the hosts double their advantage in the lead match. They’ve won three of the last four holes.

2UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (8)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (7)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (6)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (5)

A big opportunity for Europe to halve the deficit in the final match. Lilia Vu carves an uncharacteristically poor approach into a greenside bunker. Carlota Ciganda responds by sending her wedge over the flag to five feet. Sarah Schmelzel splashes out from the sand to 12 feet, but the USA will be putting first and surely need to hole out for par if they’re to have any chance of saving the hole.

Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit are always out of position on 7. A poor tee shot, an approach pulled wide left of the green, an average chip. Hull can’t rescue the situation with a 15-foot par attempt, and the hole goes to Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz.

1UP Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull (7)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (6)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 4UP (5)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (4)

Ally Ewing and Emily Pedersen pepper the flag at the par-five 5th. Pedersen eight feet away, Ewing half that distance. But then Maja Stark ramps up the pressure on the US by confidently rattling in her birdie putt. Jennifer Kupcho shoves her four-footer wide right, and this is turning into a horror show for the American pair, who go four down through five holes.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (6)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (5)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 4UP (5)
2UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (4)

A two-putt par is enough for Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel on the par-three 4th. Linn Grant only just finds the front of the large green, Carlota Ciganda leaves her long putt ten feet short, and Grant’s effort to salvage the situation horseshoes out. The US double their lead.

A birdie chance for Nelly Korda on 6 from 15 feet. It’s fairly straight, but her ball stays stubbornly out on the right lip. She grimaces as yet another of her putts fails to drop. Nothing quite happening for the world number one yet.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (6)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (5)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (4)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (3)

A proper matchplay moment on 5. Boutier responds to that big Zhang birdie putt by ramming home what’s left. Europe had been thinking about winning that hole, but at least they didn’t lose it to a smash-and-grab. Meanwhile back on 3, Sarah Schmelzel delivers another is-she-really-on-debut stunner, creaming the USA’s second to three feet, another flagstick botherer. Lilia Vu, so dependable with the flat stick, isn’t missing that. And on 4, Ally Ewing misses a short putt, match three in danger of slipping out of control for her and Jennifer Kupcho. Europe three up.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (5)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (5)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 3UP (4)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (3)

Lauren Coughlin turns up the heat on Europe at the par-five 5th, knocking her approach to 12 feet. But Albane Valenzuela responds majestically, nearly slam-dunking her iron for eagle. One bounce and the ball pings off the flagstick and back to six feet. Advantage Europe … until Rose Zhang makes another big putt for birdie to put the pressure back on the visitors! Celine Boutier’s simple-looking straight birdie putt suddenly looks twice as long.

A couple of big putts for Europe. Linn Grant tidies up for birdie on 2, and the last match of the morning is tied up again. Both holes won to birdie. And there’s now some clear blue water in match three, with Maja Stark creaming her second to six feet and Emily Pedersen knocking in the putt to move two up. However when Charley Hull duffs her chip from the rough to the left of 5, the die is cast and the lead match is once again tied.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (5)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (4)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 2UP (3)
Vu/Schmelzel A/S Grant/Ciganda (2)

A couple of sensational approaches on 2. Lilia Vu, one foot in a fairway bunker and the other out, grips down and manufactures a shot that screeches to a halt pin high, 12 feet from the flag. Carlota Ciganda responds by screwing a wedge from the centre of the fairway to four feet. Not so impressive on the par-five 5th, where Esther Henseleit pulls a short iron into the crowd down the left, clanking some poor punter upside the head. Happily there’s no real damage done, the dude in question laughing and smiling. But Europe in a spot of bother now.

Yeah, it’s fair to say the rookie Sarah Schmelzel isn’t consumed by opening-night nerves. She walks in a 30-footer for birdie on 1 to win the hole for the USA. But par on 3 is enough for Europe in matches two and three, and suddenly blue dominates the scoreboard again. Plenty of thrust and counter-thrust during these early exchanges.

Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull 1UP (4)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (3)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark 1UP (2)
1UP Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda (1)

It’s advantage Europe on the par-three 4th. Charley Hull swishes her tee shot to 12 feet; Nelly Korda only just finds the green. Allisen Corpuz sends an aggressive birdie putt four feet past, and while Esther Henseleit isn’t able to make birdie, the par is enough. Nelly Korda prods at the par saver with great uncertainty. Another pull, and that’s a three-putt bogey. If Korda’s putting demons are back, that’ll be a huge blow for the hosts.

A beneficial 30 seconds of action for the USA. Europe can’t find the green in regulation on 3, allowing Corpuz and Korda to carefully and conservatively use up their two-putt allowance for par and the hole. The opening match is tied again. Meanwhile on 2, Coughlin arrows her approach to six feet, and Zhang tidies up to put the first splash of red on the board.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (3)
1UP Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela (2)
Ewing/Kupcho A/S Pedersen/Stark (1)
Vu/Schmelzel v Grant/Ciganda

This morning’s final foursomes match turns up for work. Carlota Ciganda, Europe’s hero last time round, looks well up for the battle. So too does the US’s second rookie, Sarah Schmelzel, who dances her way out of the tunnel and onto the tee. No obvious sign of nerves there. Hey, it helps when the world number two, Lilia Vu, has your back. Ciganda smiles wryly as she carves her opening drive into thick nonsense down the right. Vu, who came so close to retaining her British Open title last month, flirts with a fairway bunker but finds the short stuff. Everyone up and running now!

Match three is out. Emily Pedersen finds the first cut down the left, as does Ally Ewing. Up on the green, Celine Boutier makes up for finding the sand by draining a 25-footer to save par. Lauren Coughlin has a 15-footer to win the hole, but races her birdie putt three feet past. It’s not conceded, but Rose Zhang tidies up, then mimes a slam dunk by way of celebration. A huge smile as she leaves the grene.

Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull 1UP (2)
Zhang/Coughlin A/S Boutier/Valenzuela (1)
Ewing/Kupcho v Pedersen/Stark

If Nelly Korda’s putter is hot, Europe watch out. But it goes cold a little too often for the world number one’s liking, and she pulls her first birdie chance of the week. Charley Hull tidies up for Europe’s birdie, and the first splash of colour on the board is blue!

Korda/Corpuz v Henseleit/ Hull 1UP (2)
Zhang/Coughlin v Boutier/Valenzuela

Up on 2, Allisen Corpuz puts the US pin high, 12 feet from the pin, but Esther Henseleit goes even closer. Three feet, maybe even closer, not quite within concession range. Back on 1, Celine Boutier dunks Europe into a greenside bunker.

Back on the tee, Europe’s other rookie, Albane Valenzuela, enjoys her first taste of Solheim Cup battle. Into the semi-rough to the left of the fairway she goes. The first US rookie takes her turn: Lauren Coughlin sends her tee shot safely down the track.

Esther Henseleit sends a crisp wedge to kick-in distance. It’s conceded for par. That leaves Allisen Corpuz with a putt for an opening birdie. Corpuz races it three feet past, but it’s fairly generously conceded for the half. A slight look of anxiety on Corpuz’s face washes over with relief. A good chance a putt of that length won’t be given come Sunday afternoon.

Korda/Corpuz A/S Henseleit/ Hull (1)

Charley Hull isn’t happy with her first shot of the week, a skinny 5-iron that scampers through the green and nestles in the fringe back right. It’s not that far from the pin, but Henseleit will be chipping. But from the sand, Nelly Korda manages to hold the green back right, and the hosts will have a look at birdie from 15 feet or so. Back on the tee, Rose Zhang and Lauren Coughlin, and Céline Boutier and Albane Valenzuela turn up for work. More bedlam. There’s a cracking atmosphere at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.

The first foursomes match takes to the first tee! The European pair of Esther Henseleit and Charley Hull are introduced first. Warm applause for the rookie Henseleit, a big roar for Hull. Then genuine TUMULT as the world number one Nelly Korda is announced. The hollers for Allisen Corpuz aren’t nothing, either. Henseleit hits her first shot of her Solheim Cup career – and the first shot of this year’s matches – by striping one down the fairway. Corpuz sends a slightly nervous effort into a fairway bunker. We’re up and running, folks. This is on!