The United States clearly beats Europe 6 to 2 after the first full day of the Solheim Cup at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Same result in foursomes and fourballs (3-1). The score is very bad for Suzann Pettersen‘s players, but the feeling is even worse. There is no sign of rebellion or frustration. Rather, what is conveyed is acceptance, as if it had been seen coming, as if it were normal for the United States to take the Solheim after three consecutive defeats. Surely the European golfers do not think this way, but it is what they have conveyed on this first day.
Europe’s stars are missing. Charley Hull has lost the two points she has played and her streak in the Solheim is already five defeats in her last six points played. It’s hard to find a partner with whom she works, with whom there is chemistry. Celine Boutier also lost in the morning and there are already four consecutive defeats in the Solheim. Similarly, Linn Grant has lost her two matches this Friday and is far from showing her best version. The case of Georgia Hall is something similar. One victory in her last five Solheim matches. Very little.
Europe can beat the United States. In fact, it has taken the cup in the last three editions, but it needs its ‘players’ to pull their weight. What happened at Finca Cortesín does not always happen. In fact, it never happens. It was an exception. There was a stroke of luck there with a great performance from the theoretically secondary players to achieve a draw that tasted like victory, but to beat this United States team and at their home, the level needs to be raised.
Pettersen now has a big problem. The Norwegian must decide whether to continue betting on her stars or if she provokes a great revolution on the second day. It will be interesting to see where she goes. She can make some changes, but she can’t work magic. The stars must step forward. Otherwise, it will be impossible.
In the afternoon session, Nelly Korda and Megan Khang swept Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire 6y4. The Europeans were unknown. If they have shown anything in this competition, it is an indomitable warrior spirit. Today it was not there. If Korda had played alone, she would also have beaten the two. Maguire’s form is also a concern. Unknown. She has been seen without spirit.
Easy victories also for Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel against Maja Stark and Emily Pedersen (3y2), it seems that it was not a good idea to repeat with this pair in the fourballs, and Andrea Lee and Rose Zhang against Charley Hull and Linn Grant (5y4). It didn’t seem so difficult to see, after the morning’s foursomes, that Carlota Ciganda had been better than Grant.
Europe’s only victory also came convincingly. Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom defeated Lexi Thompson and Alison Lee 6y5. Sagstrom and Stark have been Europe’s best golfers on this first day. Very little.
The Solheim Cup, therefore, is on track for the United States. The good news for Europe is that it is still recoverable, although for this a catharsis and a step forward from the stars must occur. Without that, it will be impossible. Everything depends on winning both sessions tomorrow, otherwise only a Sunday miracle in the singles would remain.
