DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — Nelly Korda has cemented herself as No. 1 in women's golf by winning the first two LPGA majors of the year among four titles, including the coveted U.S. Women's Open.

But this week at the Solheim Cup, Korda is 1 of 12.

The same holds true for Charley Hull of England, a big personality with a game to match. Hull leads Team Europe in the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup, the most intense three days in women's golf.

"What I love about this tournament is how much passion it brings from each side," Korda said. "Even when Europe becomes very passionate about what they're doing on the golf course, it elevates ... we all want to elevate our game."

The Americans return nine players from the Solheim Cup team that won in 2024 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, but it has been 11 years since it last won on European soil. The matches start Friday at Bernardus Golf, the first time the Solheim Cup is in the Netherlands.

Here's what to do know going into the U.S.-Europe contest:

When does the Solheim Cup start?

The matches begin Friday morning and it feels as though they never really stop until there is a winner late Sunday afternoon. The opening foursomes match is sure to whet the appetite.

Korda is reunited with 2023 U.S. Women's Open champion Allisen Corpuz against Hull and Lottie Woad, an English duo and the only two European players among the top 10 in the world.

Korda and Corpuz won both their foursomes matches in 2024 in Virginia, one of those wins against Hull and Esther Henseleit.

"They seem to have a nice rapport about 'em, so felt like they have earned the right to go out first here this year," U.S. captain Angela Stanford said.

In the other opening session of foursomes, Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin take on Nanna Koertz Madsen and Celine Boutier; Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan face Henseleit and Leona Maguire; and Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho play the Swedish duo of Maja Stark and Linn Grant.

This will be the fifth partner for Kupcho in her fourth Solheim Cup.

How can I watch the Solheim Cup?

Golf Channel is broadcasting the matches for the American audience, but it's going to require setting the alarm clock early. On Friday and Saturday, Golf Channel comes on at 1:30 a.m. Eastern and runs continuously through 1 p.m..

For Sunday singles, coverage begins at 5 a.m. Eastern through noon.

How does the format work?

Friday and Saturday have four matches of foursomes (alternate shot) in the morning, following by four matches of fourballs (better ball) in the afternoon. The Solheim Cup concludes with 12 singles matches on Sunday.

Each match is worth one point (ties are worth a half-point).

What does it take to win the Solheim Cup?

The United States is the defending champion and needs to win only 14 of the 28 points available to retain the cup.

Europe has to get 14 1/2 points to win back the Solheim Cup.

Who is sitting out the opening session?

Angel Yin is not in the lineup, which isn't a big surprise. She has played only one tournament since late June because of a serious stomach issue, and the Americans even brought over Lilia Vu as an alternate in case Yin was unable to play.

Also sitting out the opening session for the defending champions are Auston Kim, Megan Khang and Yealimi Noh.

Europe has four rookies, and three of them will not be out in the first session — Julia Lopez Ramirez, Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud. Also sitting out foursomes in Carlota Ciganda, who has a 2-4-1 record in foursomes.

Who leads the Americans?

Korda and Khang are the most experienced players for Team USA, each making their fifth appearance in the Solheim Cup. The Americans have only two rookies in Kim and Duncan, the 35-year-old who has yet to win on the LPGA Tour. She's the oldest American to make her Solheim Cup debut since Nancy Scranton was 39 in 2000 at Loch Lomond.

Who does Team Europe lean on for experience?

Hull and Ciganda are both making their eighth Solheim Cup appearance. Europe has four rookies, though Woad already is a two-time winner on the LPGA and is No. 7 in the world.

Who are the captains?

Angela Stanford and Anna Nordqvist of Sweden are Solheim Cup captains for the first time. Nordqvist played in the 2024 matches and has said she is retiring from the LPGA. Stanford was an assistant captain in 2024.

Who is favored to win the Solheim Cup?

The Americans (+110) are a slight favorite over Team Europe (-105), with the odds at +1100 for the matches to end in a tie.

The Americans have the stronger team on paper, as is typically the case, with nine players from the top 50 in the women's world ranking. Europe has more top-10 players in Hull (8) and Woad (7). But it has only three other players in the top 50 in Henseleit (21), Stark (29) and Boutier (35).

Is there anyone from the Netherlands on Team Europe?

There are no Dutch players for the first Solheim Cup on Dutch soil, although Anne van Dam has been selected as an assistant captain.

This not unusual. It's the third time in the last five European-based Solheim Cups that the host country did not have a player on the team. The other occasions were Scotland in 2019 and Ireland in 2011.

Who leads the overall series?

The United States has an 11-7-1 record dating to the first Solheim Cup in 1990. Under the current format of 28 matches that began in 1996, the Americans have a 228-220 advantage in points.

Solheim Cup: How to Watch, Who's Playing and Who's Favored at Bernardus Golf

Related Articles