GAINESVILLE, Va. – The friendship of Nelly Korda and Megan Khang dates back to their Junior Solheim Cup days. They’ve been asking for this fourball pairing for some time and were buzzing after Stacy Lewis gave them the green light.
The pair brought back a special handshake inspired by Disney’s “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” for their Friday fourball match, where they thumped Leona Maguire and Georgia Hall, 6 and 4. Korda was having such a good time that she skipped her way out of the tunnel.
“There’s nothing like teaming up with one of your good friends and just vibing out there,” said Korda.
Megan Khang (R) and Nelly Korda of The United States Team celebrate as they leave the 14th green after winning their match by 6&4 against Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire of The European Team during the afternoon four ball matches of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on September 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Virginia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
The headline of the day should’ve centered around Korda’s fine play and the success of the Americans overall rather than the disastrous shuttle situations that left fans standing in line for hours.
Team USA jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the 19th Solheim Cup, where the Americans haven’t won since 2017.
In the morning session, world No. 1 Korda paired with Allisen Corpuz once again to defeat Esther Henseleit and Charley Hull, 3 and 2, in the first match out. Korda becomes the first American player to win two matches on Day 1 of a Solheim Cup, each by at least three holes.
Two European players have accomplished the feat: Carin Koch in 2002 (winning 3 and 2, 3 and 2) and Suzann Petterssen in 2003 (4 and 3, 3 and 2).
American rookies Sarah Schmelzel and Lauren Coughlin also went undefeated on Friday, pairing together for afternoon fourballs. They’re both out again Saturday morning with Schmelzel sticking with Lilia Vu and Coughlin now partnered with Lexi Thompson.
“I mean, I expected it, just knowing their personalities,” said Lewis of Schmelzel’s and Coughlin’s start. “They’re gritty. They’re fighters. That’s the reason they’re on their first Solheim Cup in their 30s.”
Solheim Cup: Photos
Lewis said she’ll look at tomorrow like the score is back to 0-0, with the pedal to the floor to add as many points to the board as possible. European captain Suzann Pettersen called Saturday’s task a “massive” undertaking.
Leona Maguire, who they affectionally call “MVP,” is once again sitting out Saturday’s morning session. While Maguire has nothing to prove to anyone, Pettersen said, her form just isn’t where it normally is this week.
“We’ve just got to come out tomorrow hungry,” said Pettersen. “I think the players need to feel some kind of a revenge to kind of feel like they can get some momentum going.”
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Here are the Saturday morning foursomes pairings:
7:05 a.m. ET – Nelly Korda/Allisen Corpuz (USA) vs. Emily Pedersen/Carlota Ciganda (Europe)
7:17 a.m. ET – Ally Ewing/Jennifer Kupcho (USA) vs. Esther Henseleit/Charley Hull (Europe)
7:29 a.m. ET – Lexi Thompson/Lauren Coughlin (USA) vs. Maja Stark/Georgia Hall (Europe)
7:41 a.m. ET – Lilia Vu/Sarah Schmelzel (USA) vs. Anna Nordqvist/Celine Boutier (Europe)