The wait is over, the first four matchups for the 2026 Solheim Cup are locked in. Here are our predictions for each of the foursomes matches:
MATCH 1 – USA Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz vs EUR Charley Hull and Lottie Woad
Right off the bat it would be absolutely impossible to deliver a better match. Arguably the three biggest stars in the competition, Korda, Hull and Woad, will be on the course right away. Hull is Europe’s best player and Woad is probably its second best player, but even for a player of Woad’s standard, the nerves will likely be high on that first tee. Combine that with having to face Team USA’s best duo, who are 4-0-0 in this format, will be quite intimidating. I think Hull and Woad take it far off of their pure talent and Hull’s leadership, but the United States gets a close one.
Prediction: USA wins 2&1
MATCH 2 – USA Lauren Coughlin and Alison Lee vs Eur Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Celine Boutier
An interesting match two with a lot of unknowns. I wasn’t entirely sure we would see Koerstz Madsen or Lee in this format at all. This is the stronger format for Boutier and Coughlin is very skilled here, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see those two take the lead. Still, in foursomes there is no place to hide behind your partner, so everyone must contribute. Coughlin really swings this match for me. She went 2-0 in this format last time out and was dominant in both matches. I think that trend continues and Coughlin leads this team to a second red point on the board.
Prediction: USA wins 4&3
MATCH 3 – USA Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan vs EUR Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit
I did not expect to see Andrea Lee play any foursome sessions, but the United States does have a fair amount of fourball specialists, so it makes sense that some will have to play here. This will be Lindy Duncan’s first taste of Solheim Cup action, and it will be interesting to see how she fits into a match with some of the more reserved players in the competition. We know Maguire should bring some energy though and she should be thrilled being put out right away. She is a bit inconsistent in this format, going 0-2 in 2023, but I think Maguire carries Europe to a comfortable win in this match.
Prediction: Europe wins 3&2
MATCH 4 – USA Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho vs EUR Linn Grant and Maja Stark
This is a fun final matchup with some big names, close partnerships and players looking for redemption. Those two players looking for redemption are Jennifer Kupcho and Linn Grant. Grant went scoreless in 2024 for Europe and Kupcho’s only point contributed was in a match against Grant. It looks like Anna Nordqvist is using Grant properly this time around though by pairing her with Maja Stark, a pairing we bizarrely never saw in 2024. On the flip side, Kupcho is being paired with fellow college superstar and Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Rose Zhang. I like this United States team’s Korda/Corpuz upside of pairing an elite ball striker with an accurate hitter. Still, that Swedish duo should bring a lot of energy and success.
Prediction: Tie
Total Session Prediction: United States 2.5 – Europe 1.5
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