Europe survives USA on the first day of the Solheim Cup

In the morning, beating of the golfers from the United States to the Europeans in the round of foursomes (each couple plays with a ball and the strokes alternate between the two players) on the first day of the Solheim Cup in Finca Cortesín (Malaga): 0-4. In the afternoon, European resurrection in the fourballs (each player with his ball, scores the best result): 3-1 for an aggregate after that first match of 3-5 in favor of the Americans. The great duel is still very much alive when it seemed that the American whirlwind of the first hours would have a devastating effect on the continental set.

It was a perfect storm for America. Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight won by 5 & 4 (five strokes of advantage with four holes to play) to Charley Hull and Emily Pedersen in a duel that never had emotion on the scoreboard, unbalanced since dawn. Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang defeated Maja Stark and Linn Grant 2&1, and the other clashes reached the 18th hole with the Americans ahead, cold to preserve their income: Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee by 1 up to Céline Boutier and Georgia Hall, same record as Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz against Leona Maguire and Anna Nordqvist. Not even this last pair, the one that seemed more solid, worked in Europe, despite the touching resistance of the Irish Maguire in the putts at the end of the round.

The 10th hole of Finca Cortesin is simply spectacular. #AquíGritamosGolf pic.twitter.com/SisY9RPpIS

— Golf at Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarGolf) September 22, 2023

The 0-4 was a slap in the face for the team captained by Suzann Pettersen, who in that first dance left Carlota Ciganda on the bench, the only Spaniard in the tournament. The Americans allowed themselves to rest the world number two, Lilia Vu. Europe took out its artillery, but even in the mode that demands greater rapport, its supposed strong point, it did not say a word, without options, always in tow. The US golfers read better some greens that are a trap for their falls, one of the keys to succeed in this Solheim. The board was flooded with the American red color.

With tempers in tatters, Europe had to rearm itself psychologically. And that's where Carlota Ciganda came into play to enlist in the afternoon fourballs and start the comeback. The Navarrese converted a birdie on the first hole, clenched her fist and energized the crowd and her teammates. It was the spark that ignited a reaction. Her partnership with Linn Grant collected another winning shot on the par-five 4th hole and the Europeans already led by two holes. The wind had come into play and the duels maintained a great equality. But where before the United States stuck its head, now Europe was rising.

⛳️ HOLE IN ONE! Pedersen has done so. Where he puts the eye, he puts the ball. #AquíGritamosGolf pic.twitter.com/EQRnMv5u1u

— Golf at Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarGolf) September 22, 2023

Along the way, some big shots, like a hole-in-one from Denmark's Emily Pedersen on the 12th. Gemma Dryburgh and Madelene Sagstrom caught a draw against Rose Zhang and Megan Khang, the first half point for the locals. Leona Maguire, with a big birdie putt on the 18th, and Georgia Hall beat Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu, another steel pairing, 1 up. Carlota Ciganda and Linn Grant won 4&2 over Angel Yin and Ally Ewing. And Emily Pedersen and Maja Stark scratched another tie against Jennifer Kupcho and Allisen Corpuz. That is, no American victory in the afternoon. Europe survived.

The results of the first day of the Solheim Cup.

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