Charley Hull and Lottie Woad will face world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz in the opening foursomes match of the Solheim Cup, marking a high-stakes debut for the English duo against an unbeaten American pairing.
The Solheim Cup kicks off with a marquee showdown as Europe’s Charley Hull and rookie Lottie Woad take on the United States’ Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz in Friday’s first foursomes match. The American duo, who have never lost together in Solheim Cup foursomes, enter the contest with a 4-0 record across the last two editions, while Hull faces her first match of the event.
Captains’ Confidence in Star Power
USA captain Angela Stanford defended her decision to pair Korda and Corpuz first, stating, I feel like if I didn’t put those two out, I would be questioned. I feel like the whole world knew that they were coming.
The duo’s chemistry and track record—having won all four of their previous foursomes matches—solidified their placement at the top of the order. Europe’s captain Anna Nordqvist echoed the sentiment, noting Hull’s buzzing
demeanor and her and Woad’s nice rapport
on tour, which she felt made them excited to be paired with each other.
The match carries added weight as it sets the tone for the morning session. Korda and Corpuz’s dominance in foursomes—winning matches together over the last two Solheim Cups—has made them a formidable force. Hull, however, previously defeated Korda 6&4 in their Sunday singles clash in 2024.
A Test of Experience and Chemistry
Hull’s pairing with Woad presents a unique challenge. Woad, one of the rookies in Anna Nordqvist’s team, faces a duo with an unbeaten record in foursomes. They [Korda and Corpuz] have a nice rapport about them,
Stanford said, emphasizing the teamwork in the format.
The match also highlights the contrast between the teams’ approaches. Korda, the world No. 1, and Corpuz—whom Stanford called the backbone of the team—have been critical to their success. Nordqvist acknowledged the challenge, saying, Charley and Lottie have got to play [together] quite a bit on tour this year, so I think they were both very excited to be paired with each other.
Historical Context and Personal Redemption
The Solheim Cup’s history looms large. The US has not won on European soil since 2015.
Meanwhile, Europe’s focus remains on the tournament, with Nordqvist emphasizing that Hull has been buzzing and so excited since she got here on Monday.
What’s at Stake for Both Teams
A win for Hull and Woad would provide Europe with early momentum, while a loss could favor the US team.
For Korda, the match is another opportunity to feature for her team. If I didn’t put those two out, I would be questioned,
Stanford reiterated, underscoring the choice of the world No. 1. Hull, meanwhile, faces the challenge of playing with Woad. Nordqvist said of Korda, She’s pretty tough,
and noted that there are a lot of good things going on in that pairing that, you know, they just complement each other really well.
The Road Ahead
With the first foursomes match setting the tone, the focus shifts to the rest of the week. Europe’s strategy hinges on harnessing Hull’s experience and Woad’s participation, while the US relies on Korda and Corpuz. The outcome could shape the entire competition.
As the teams prepare for the opening tee, the narrative is clear: this is a battle for the trophy. Whether Hull can replicate her past performances or Korda continues her unbeaten run, the first foursomes will set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling week of golf.
