Charley Hull gets Solheim Cup smoking permit ahead of Nelly Korda showdown

Sure, Hull and Henseliet can get their asses kicked and Europe can still prevail. On the Costa del Sol, Pettersen’s favourites were swept 4-0 in foursomes but came back to head into Sunday’s singles tied at 6-6. It felt as if the Americans were melting mentally in the heat. Only two of their 12 players have played in a dozen successful Solheims and Stacy Lewis, the American captain, is honest enough to admit there are psychological hurdles to overcome.

“That’s our biggest challenge this week – the majority of this group haven’t turned the corner yet,” Lewis said. “We’ve been close in the last three games (losing 14&1/2-13&1/2 in 2019 and 15-13 in 2021, before last year’s 14-14) and it would mean a lot to get over the line this week. But we’ve got a lot of work to do before we reach that point.”

12:05 BST

Charley Hull (England) and E Henseleit (Germany) vs Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz
Elegant Nelly versus unique Charley. A fine opening duel, although it may be their partners who decide the outcome. Henseliet was extremely impressive in her first year and Corpuz showed her taste for the big stage by winning the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach last year. She beat Hull that day. Charley can get her revenge.
Prediction: Europe 1up

12:17 p.m.

Céline Boutier (Fr) & Albane Valenzuela (Switzerland) vs. Rose Zhang vs. Lauren Coughlin
Boutier, the top-ranked European (world No. 10), had a terrible year last year, losing all three of her matches, and in truth it’s hard to imagine she and rookie Valenzuela, world No. 63, beating former amateur prodigy Zhang and another rookie, Coughlin. The latter was a revelation in 2024, winning twice and cracking the top 14. They look like a formidable duo.
Prediction: US 3&2

12:29

Emily Pedersen (Den) and Maja Stark (Sweden) vs. Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho
Pettersen sees a lot of herself in Pedersen, the dynamic Dane, and will rely on her fighting skills to expose the nerves Kupcho has been brave enough to admit in her first two matches. But she has a good partner in Ewing and the Euros could be tough, despite Stark’s 10th-place finish at the Olympics and second-place finish at the season’s first major tournament.
Prediction: United States 2&1

12:41

Linn Grant (Sweden) and Carlota Ciganda (Spain) vs Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel
Vu, the world number two, has a lot to prove after losing all three of her foursomes and balls in Spain last year. Schmelzel lacks experience and could be considered one of Lewis’ weaker players. Ciganda was the heroine in Spain, beating Korda in the singles to ensure Europe retained the trophy. Grant has a wonderful swing and Pettersen will be delighted with the chances of her pair of props.
Prediction: Europe 2&1