Well. That was fun.
Friday was about as exciting, fun and evenly matched as any day I can remember in the Solheim Cup. Coming out of day one, it is all tied up at 4-4 and both teams have reason to feel energized and like they have momentum.
- First and foremost, Carlota Ciganda forcing the halve at the end is exactly why you continue to bring her back. She isn’t consistent, but she is in control when it matters.
- Megan Khang. Do not doubt her. Khang is just proving that she is an all-time great Solheim performer with another win alongside Alison Lee, 4&3 over Celine Boutier and Nanna Koerstz Madsen. Both players contributed, but it isn’t a coincidence that everyone on the team seems to play at their best with her.
- Alison Lee has doubled her career Solheim Cup point total already, providing two points on the first day. She really hit some spectacular shots on the back nine in particular this round.
- Boutier and Madsen going back out for the second nine today I think is the first real questionable decision from a captain. They struggled in their first match, which they lost, and were even worse in the afternoon. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Madsen sit all Saturday.
- Yealimi Noh didn’t get a full point, but she was still the MVP of the session for the United States. Her and Angel Yin were down the entire match against Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, but almost single-handedly, Noh brought that pairing back to get a tie. Her shot from the bunker on 17 was the shot of the day.
- Bit of a tough day for the Woad and Hull pairing. Having the two best players on paper paired for two rounds and only getting a half point out of them has got to be a disappointment for Anna Nordqvist.
- I wouldn’t expect Angel Yin to play again until Sunday, if she even plays then. I defended her decision to play despite the injury confirms, but she looked really poor the entire round. She is a great chemistry piece, and seems to keep Yealimi Noh relaxed, but it would be hard justifying putting her out again.
- Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes got a tiny bit of a scare late, but overall the rookie team was absolutely dominant and looked poised and energetic. Nadaud in particular looks like someone who could be a future mainstay.
- Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin were a solid pairing but Korda was clearly pretty fatigued out there, I would expect her to just play one session tomorrow.
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