09/12/26 07:46:00
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09/12 07:44 CDT Korda sits out the four-balls and will only play 4 matches at
the Solheim Cup. It's a trend
Korda sits out the four-balls and will only play 4 matches at the Solheim Cup.
It's a trend
By STEVE DOUGLAS
AP Sports Writer
DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) --- 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.
She won't be playing all five matches at this Solheim Cup.
And that's something of a trend.
This will be the fifth straight Solheim Cup where Korda, the world No. 1 and a
four-time major champion, plays four out of a possible five matches for the
American team.
On each of the previous four occasions --- 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024 --- she
sat out one of the four-ball sessions. It has happened again in the Netherlands.
On Saturday morning, Korda played with Allisen Corpuz in a previously unbeaten
pairing and lost 3 and 2 to Maja Stark and Linn Grant.
That left her with a 1-1-1 record --- for 1 points --- in the 2026 edition,
and an overall Solheim Cup record of 11-6-2.
Speaking after selecting her lineup for the four-balls, U.S. captain Angela
Stanford suggested there was never any intention to play Korda in all five
matches --- no matter the status of the contest.
For the record, Europe is 7-5 ahead after three sessions.
Lauren Coughlin will be the only American to play all five sessions and asked
if that was always the intention, Stanford said: "She was one that I spoke to
before we ever came over here.
"It was her or Allisen Corpuz (playing five matches). And we were just going to
see what happened this morning."
Korda's impact has lessened at this Solheim Cup has gone on.
She and Corpuz were strong in defeating European stars Lottie Woad and Charley
Hull, 4 and 3, in the morning foursomes on Friday. Korda didn't win a hole when
playing with Coughlin in the afternoon four-balls, when the U.S. pair halved a
match against Carlota Ciganda and Julia Lopez Ramirez.
Then came the loss with Corpuz on Saturday morning, after which Korda was asked
how the American team can turn things around on Saturday afternoon.
"By showing up and winning some holes," she said.
It won't be her doing that.
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