Maja Stark really likes Danish Emily Pedersen. Together they grabbed the match against Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho straight away. The duo won four of the first five holes and took a clear lead.
However, the second half of the round went worse and the match was decided on the last hole. Once there, Stark and Pedersen secured points for Europe.
Solheim Cup
Maja Stark and Linn Grant play the opening foursome in the Solheim Cup
Swedish dominance again in the Solheim Cup: “We are the best”
“Really nice”
– It has been a lot of fun. I wasn’t nearly as nervous as last year. To get such a good start was really nice. It was a good first round, says Maja Stark in Viaplay’s broadcast.
It was more difficult for Linn Grant together with 2023’s great Solheim hero Carlota Ciganda. They fell behind world number two Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel and could not catch up.
Had a nightmare start last year
After Friday’s foursome matches, the USA leads 3–1. Thus, Europe has actually gotten off to a better start compared to last year, when the team was down 0-4 after the first competition. In the end, however, Europe finally managed to take home the victory after the final score was 14–14.
In addition to Stark and Grant, the Swedes Madelene Sagström and Anna Nordqvist are also in this year’s edition of the Solheim Cup.
Later today, the tournament continues with four best-ball matches.
Facts: Friday’s foursome matches
(TT)
Esther Henseleit/Charley Hull–Nelly Korda/Allisen Corpuz – USA won 3/2.
Céline Boutier/Albane Valenzuela–Rose Zhang/Lauren Coughlin – USA won 3/2.
Emily Pedersen/Maja Stark–Ally Ewing/Jennifer Kupcho – Europe won 2/0.
Linn Grant/Carlota Ciganda–Lilia Vu/Sarah Schmelzel – USA won 3/2.
Score: 3–1 to the USA.
Facts: Friday’s best balls
(TT)
Georgia Hall/Leona Maguire–Nelly Korda/Megan Khang.
Anna Nordqvist/Madelene Sagström–Alison Lee/Lexi Thompson.
Emily Pedersen/Maja Stark–Lauren Coughlin/Sarah Schmelzel.
Linn Grant/Charley Hull–Andrea Lee/Rose Zhang.