DEN BOSCH – Nelly Korda was hitting balls on the range as eight of her U.S. teammates went out in the afternoon four-balls at Bernardus Golf on Saturday. Despite her status as the world No. 1 and a four-time major champion, Korda will not be playing all five matches in this year’s Solheim Cup.
This marks a continuation of a trend observed in previous Solheim Cups. Korda has played in four out of a possible five matches in each of the last four editions, including 2019, 2021, 2023, and now 2024. Notably, she has consistently sat out one of the four-ball sessions.
In the opening session on Saturday, Korda teamed up with Allisen Corpuz; however, they faced a defeat against European players Maja Stark and Linn Grant, losing 3 and 2. This loss brought Korda’s record for the 2026 Solheim Cup to 1-1-1, contributing a total of 1½ points to her overall Solheim Cup record of 11-6-2.
U.S. captain Angela Stanford, speaking about her lineup decisions, confirmed that there was no plan to have Korda participate in all five matches, regardless of the competition’s status. As it stands, Europe leads 7-5 after three sessions, showcasing a competitive edge in the tournament.
Interestingly, Lauren Coughlin will be the only American playing all five sessions. Stanford mentioned that Coughlin was one of the players she had spoken to prior to their arrival in the Netherlands, indicating a strategic selection process for the matches.
As the tournament progresses, Korda’s impact seems to be diminishing. Their earlier success on Friday, where Korda and Corpuz defeated European stars Lottie Woad and Charley Hull by 4 and 3 in the morning foursomes, did not translate into the afternoon four-balls. Korda, paired with Coughlin, did not win a hole in their match against Carlota Ciganda and Julia Lopez Ramirez, which ended in a tie.
Following her recent loss, Korda expressed the need for the American team to improve their performance. She emphasized the importance of simply showing up and winning holes in their upcoming matches, acknowledging the team dynamics and strategies that play a role in their success.
As the Solheim Cup unfolds, the strategic decisions made by captains and the performances of key players like Korda will be crucial in determining the outcome of this prestigious event.
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