The captains have already revealed their cards for the second day. Suzann Pettersen already has the lineup with which she will try to turn the situation around (2-6). The outlook is dark grey for the Europeans, almost black, but if this team demonstrated anything last year, it’s courage, grit and the ability to hold onto the field in limit situations. We’ll see if something more is needed this year.
It is the first time in history that a first day ends with such a resounding result in favour of the Americans. The challenge facing Europe is huge. Pettersen faces it with two important changes, but also without major revolutions. She benches Linn Grant who has not been up to par this Thursday and Leona Maguire. The latter decision is perhaps more surprising. The Irishwoman, so reliable in past editions, will also not play the second session of foursomes.
Stacy Lewis is clear that she is not going to touch what has worked perfectly for her. Three of the four foursome pairs that did so on the first day repeat. She has only changed Rose Zhang for Lexi Thompson.
Leading this attempt at a reaction will be Carlota Ciganda who will play the first match of the second day alongside Emily Kristine Pedersen (13:05 peninsular time). They played together last year at Finca Cortesín and won their match in the same modality. The opponents will be the all-powerful Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz. The World Number One is excelling at golf and will try to remove the thorn from last year’s individual match against Carlota Ciganda. The Spaniard will seek, together with the Dane, to give that initial point that encourages the European team in the attempt to come back. The captain clings to two players who can be fundamental.
Behind them, at 13:17, the only European pair that repeats from Friday will come out. Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit want to add their first points in this edition and will do so against Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho, the only American pair that fell in the first session. Lewis gives them a vote of confidence.
In the third match of the morning (13:29) Maja Stark and Georgia Hall will be part of the game. Opposite them Lexi Thompson and Lauren Coughlin. The local heroine is having the dream debut and Lexi will try to make up for the tough defeat in the afternoon fourball. Stark and Hall are two safe bets that need to perform this Saturday like a Swiss watch.
The day will end with the duel between Anna Nordqvist and Celine Boutier against the pair Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel. The European pair debut as a pair. The Swede has stepped up after a very complicated year and a last Solheim where she did not perform at a high level. She has been one of the few salvageable things from the European team and Pettersen clings with both hands to her experience. We’ll see if it’s enough.
