Charley Hull receives permission to smoke at the Solheim Cup prior to her matchup with Nelly Korda.

Charley Hull receives permission to smoke at the Solheim Cup prior to her matchup with Nelly Korda.

Also included are the confirmed foursomes pairings for the first round and match predictions for every match.

Charley Hull’s captain has given her the go-ahead to shoot straight in Friday’s opening session of the Solheim Cup, as well as to ignite history in Europe by defeating world No. 1 Nelly Korda in an exciting opening match.

If Suzann Pettersen’s decision to bench Irishwoman Leona Maguire—who has an incredible record of seven points from ten games—in the foursomes is shocking, then nobody will be shocked to see Hull, the world No. 12 player, take the opening shot.

Hull has become something of a sidekick since taking center stage during her 17-year-old debut in Denver 11 years ago, when Europe triumphed for the first time on US territory.

Given her widespread fame, she is a perfect fit to lead out the guests. Pettersen grinned and remarked, “It’s nice to get Charley out there and going early.” She’s not the type to wait around. And she’s had good interactions this week with the local supporters.

The galleries obviously admire Hull, the one-off from Kettering, even though the purists would not agree. She really went up to a US supporter on Thursday during the last practice session and asked him for a light. Charley, classic.

Her habit of puffing away at the US Women’s Open in June went viral, and last month’s Olympics forbade her from continuing it. Here at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, in a suburb forty minutes from Capitol Hill, Pettersen was not going to let Hull stop him.

When it was suggested to her that she might get her strike performer a lighter, Pettersen laughed and said it wouldn’t look bad. The Norwegian remarked, “She’s having a ball.”

“Charley is mature enough to make those choices,” If Hull and rookie German Esther Henseleit can defeat Korda and another major champion, Allisen Corpuz, that would be a huge statement.

With her April Chevron Championship victory—her sixth major in seven runs—Korda has cemented her place as the indisputable best player in the game in 2024. Other than a Solheim Cup, not much is lacking from Korda’s resume. Not a single game on the winning squad in three.

 

With the draw in Spain last year, Europe was able to win the trophy for an unprecedented third consecutive year. There’s a chance for even more poignant history this time.

The once-dominant Americans are faltering in the four key transatlantic contests. The longest America has gone without a potty break in any of these competitions is three games: the Walker Cup is 102 years old, the Ryder Cup is 97, and the Curtis Cup is 92.

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Pettersen’s women have the opportunity to bravely finish fourth, where no US opponent has ever finished, despite the Solheim only being 35.

Despite Pettersen’s optimism, the visitors have not had a successful season collectively. Hull is crucial to the cause because of this; it will start at 7.05 a.m. local time in the alternate format.

“I was just getting it cracked back into place, it always pops out,” the 28-year-old said, downplaying the treatment she needed on Thursday from a physiotherapist on the course. She sounded anything from intimidated.

No matter what, I just love to play golf,” the woman remarked. “I adore the bustle of America.” It’s really enjoyable. Playing in America is always a pleasure for me because of the incredible atmosphere. The crowds make me chuckle a lot.

Hull is not attempting to win over the “U.S.A., U.S.A.” brigade with this. She just is what she is, smoking included. “I’m just me,” she uttered. “I like things for myself if I enjoy them. It’s not their life, so whatever, if others don’t like it. I am who I am. I lead my life according to my own desires, not those of others.

 

Of again, Europe might win out in the end even if Hull and Henseliet lose badly. Pettersen’s favorites were defeated 4-0 in the foursomes on the Costa del Sol, but they rallied to square the score at 6-6 heading into the Sunday singles.

The Americans seemed to be melting psychologically due to the heat. Out of their twelve players, only two had participated in a successful Solheim dozen, and US captain Stacy Lewis is candid enough to acknowledge that there are mental obstacles to overcome.

“The bulk of this group hasn’t gotten over the hump, and that’s our biggest challenge this week,” Lewis stated. “It would mean a great deal to get over the line this week. We’ve been close in the last three games [losing 14&1/2-13&1/2 in 2019 and 15-13 in 2021, before last year’s 14-14]. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done before then.

Solheim Cup: Confirmed Foursomes pairings and predictions

12.05pm BST

E Henseleit (Ger) & Charley Hull (Eng) v. Nelly Korda & Allisen Corpuz

Charley the One-Off pitted against Nelly the Elegant. A terrific beginning duel, yet the winner might end up being their partners. Henseliet has excelled greatly in her first season, and Corpuz’s victory at the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach last year demonstrated her love for the grand stage. That day, she defeated Hull. Charley is able to exact some retribution.

Prediction: Europe 1up

12.17pm

Celine Boutier (Fr) & Albane Valenzuela (Switz) v Rose Zhang v Lauren Coughlin

It is actually hard to imagine Boutier, the top-ranked European at No. 10, and rookie Valenzuela, at No. 63, defeating Zhang, the former amateur prodigy, and Coughlin. Boutier lost all three of her matches in the previous year. The latter, who won twice and moved up into the top 14, has been a revelation in 2024. They appear to make a fantastic duo.

Preidction: US 3&2

12.29pm

Emily Pedersen (Den) & Maja Stark (Swe) v Ally Ewing & Jennifer Kupcho

The feisty Dane, Pedersen, reminds Pettersen a lot of herself, and she will be depending on her fighting spirit to reveal the nerves that Kupcho has been courageous enough to acknowledge in her first two matches. Even though Stark placed second in the opening major of the season and tenth in the Olympics, she has a good partner in Ewing, and the Euros could have trouble.

Prediction: US 2&1

12.41pm

Linn Grant (Swe) & Carlota Ciganda (Sp) v Lilia Vu & Sarah Schmelzel

The world No. 2 player, Vu, had a lot to show after losing all three of her football matches and foursomes in Spain the previous year. Due to his inexperience, Schmelzel may be viewed as one of Lewis’s less effective players.

In Spain, Ciganda was victorious over Korda in the singles round, securing the championship for Europe. Pettersen will be excited at the prospect of Grant and her anchor partnering because of her amazing swing.

Prediction: Europe 2&1