Stacy Lewis is starting the 18th Solheim Cup in style. Team USA won the foursomes session on Friday morning in Spain for the first ever time. The session saw Europe lead only four holes.
Nelly Korda, who was part of the 4-0 team, said: “I thought everyone that was paired together really had good chemistry.” “Our captain, we were paired up really well.”
Korda’s partner, Allisen Corporation, the rookie, made a 6-footer on the last hole to end the session and completely shut out Europe.
Lewis raised eyebrows by putting Lexi Thompson, who was struggling, out first. But the most experienced member of Team USA, Megan Khang, teamed up with Megan Khang and made an early statement. They beat a strong rookie pair of Maja Stark, and Linn Grant 2 to 1. Stark and Grant, who had never lost together in a previous foursomes competition, begged European captain Suzann Petersen to keep them together.
Lewis told her that she had heard all week from the team assistants about how well Thompson hit the ball at Finca Cortesin. She looked at their stats and decided to give Thompson the win. She will play again in the afternoon in fourball with Lilia Vu, a two-time major champion.
(Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Lexi Thompson, Team USA, warms up on Day One of the Solheim Cup in Casares Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images).
Lewis used Solheim Cup specific analytics program as her starting point in all of her decisions this week.
Lewis said that “it’s not everything.” “There are certainly personalities that make people want to or not want to play with each other, perhaps it is a golf ball problem, but analytics have been a big part of our work and they’ve helped me justify things in my mind and also helped the players justify things.”
Ally Ewing & Cheyenne Knight scored the first points, beating a previously successful duo Charley Hull & Emily Pedersen (5 and 4). At the half, the Americans led by six points.
Ewing, Lewis’ captain’s choice and a veteran player, said: “We were prepared to face the day.”
Andrea Lee, the third American rookie, scored a point on the morning. She paired with Danielle Kang who is like the sister of the former Stanford star. In alternate shot, the pair was 3 under for the day.
“I don’t think my blood ever pounded that fast in my life,” said Lee, referring to a 10-footer that helped the U.S. beat a decorated European pairing of Celine Boutier & Georgia Hall by 1 point.
All of this added up to an unexpected start for the Americans who had lost their previous two Cups.
Angela Stanford, assistant captain, said “It is huge.” But we must remember that it is Friday morning. By Sunday night, we’ll be able to look back at the past and discuss it.
