Solheim Cup 2023: Europe v USA, day two – live | Solheim Cup

Emily Pedersen aced 12 yesterday. Lightning refuses to strike twice, and her ball disappears down the bank to the right of the green. Carlota Ciganda chips up to four feet, and Pedersen secures the par that maintains Europe’s only lead … because back on 9, Danielle Kang walks in a 20-foot birdie putt, punches the air, and ties the final match.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (11)
Nordqvist/Maguire A/S Thompson/Khang (10)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 3UP (9)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (9)
Europe 3-5 USA

On Sky, an audibly exasperated Iona Stephen reports that Jennifer Kupcho has taken “a very long time” with a birdie putt on 11. “Let’s hope it’s worth the wait,” she sighs. It’s not. While Stephen calls the left-to-right line correctly, Kupcho doesn’t … and leaves her partner a tricky four footer coming back to boot. The super-quick, super-sharp-shooting Lilia Vu steps up, bang, and makes it. A lesson there, kids. The spoils are shared. Meanwhile on 10, Leona Maguire misses the green, Anna Nordqvist chips weakly, and it’s all square again in the second match.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (11)
Nordqvist/Maguire A/S Thompson/Khang (10)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 3UP (9)
1UP Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee (8)
Europe 3-5 USA

A couple of big European putts. One made, one missed. Linn Grant nails hers for birdie at 8, the Swedish debutants going one up in the last match. Leona Maguire can’t make hers on 9, however, so while Europe are now leading in three of the four matches, all of those leads are precarious.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (10)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (9)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 3UP (8)
1UP Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee (8)
Europe 3-5 USA

Lilia Vi misses the green at the dramatic downhill 10th. No such mistake from Emily Pedersen, who lands her tee shot ten feet from the flag. Vu nearly drains the 15-footer her partner Jennifer Kupcho leaves her, but it stops stubbornly on the lip and Europe have two putts for the win. They’re not conceded. Carlota Ciganda dribbles up to tap-in distance and Europe regain the lead in match one.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (10)
2UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (8)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 3UP (8)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (7)
Europe 3-5 USA

Nelly Korda certainly doesn’t hang about, that’s for sure. She wastes no time in rattling a birdie putt straight into the cup from six feet at 8. That makes Celine Boutier’s similar putt suddenly look a whole lot longer. But she makes it, and avoids Europe slipping four holes adrift. That was almost in must-make territory, already.

A big escape for the USA on 8. Megan Khang pulls her approach well wide of the green, leaving Lexi Thompson down the bank and tangled up in spongy rough. Thompson uses the camber of the green as a backstop, sending her chip way past the flag, the slope bringing the ball back to 15 feet. That’s a sensational chip, as wonderful as yesterday evening’s shank on 18 was woeful. Khang rolls in the par putt to salvage a half, Anna Nordqvist and Leona Maguire having assumed the worst and played the hole a little bit too conservatively in the wake of Khang’s initial pull. That could be a big matchplay moment, as the USA avoid falling three holes down.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (9)
2UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (8)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 3UP (7)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (7)
Europe 3-5 USA

A big chance for Carlota Ciganda on 9. Pin high, 15 feet for birdie and the win. But she pulls the putt and leaves it short to boot. Just the half, and the first foursomes match hits the turn in two hours and 18 minutes. Penny for the thoughts of Nelly Korda, who came out all guns blazing on the subject of slow play before the British Open last month.

With Europe in bother, Nelly Korda has a 25-foot birdie putt to win the hole at 7. She leaves it four feet short. Celine Boutier then cranks up the pressure by draining a 20-footer for par, asking the question of Allisen Corpuz. The US Open champion answers in the affirmative. The USA go three up, the first team to do so this morning.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (8)
2UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (7)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 3UP (7)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (6)
Europe 3-5 USA

The inevitable happens on 8. The lead match is now all square, Europe having been two up not so long ago. Sky commentator Paul McGinley notes that this match is on course for a two-and-a-half-hour front nine. It’s foursomes! That’s what you get when you send Carlota Ciganda out first, I guess. On that subject, Brian Moss was at the course all yesterday and notes that it was “so painfully slow. Why isn’t anyone ready to play when it is their turn?” Lilia Vu doesn’t hang around, to be fair. But in general, and with reference to both the women’s and men’s game, preach on, brother.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (8)
2UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (7)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 2UP (6)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (6)
Europe 3-5 USA

Maja Stark lands her tee shot at the par-three 6th to ten feet. But there’s a huge left-to-right break on the remaining putt and Linn Grant doesn’t give it enough on the high side. It drifts off to the right, three feet down the green. Work for Stark to do, but in it goes for a half. Meanwhile drama on 7, where Europe opt not to concede Megan Khang’s straight uphill two-footer. The decision pays off, because Khang unexpectedly pulls it to the left, the ball horseshoeing out. No quarter being given this morning by either side.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (7)
2UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (7)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 2UP (6)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (6)
Europe 3-5 USA

Carlota Ciganda has been off it all morning. Such a contrast to yesterday afternoon. She pulls a miserable fairway wood straight into a bush down the left of the par-five 8th, and Europe, having been two up in the lead match not so long ago, will be pegged back to all-square unless the US pair of Vu and Kupcho do something very daft indeed.

A couple of big putts missed, and it’s mixed fortunes for both teams. Georgia Hall from 12 feet at 6; the US go two up. Danielle Kang, a downhill effort from eight feet on 5; the match remains all square.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (7)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (6)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 2UP (6)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (5)
Europe 3-5 USA

Jennifer Kupcho down a swale to the left of 7; Carlota Ciganda in a bunker to the right. Kupcho sends a crisp chip up to kick-in distance. The putt’s conceded. Ciganda can’t get particularly close from the sand, and while Emily Pedersen gives the eight-foot putt a good go, it’s always breaking sadly to the right. The USA grab one back in the lead match, and perhaps Kupcho, erstwhile winner at Augusta National and major champion, has relocated her mojo at last. Danger for Europe if so.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (7)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (6)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 1UP (5)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (4)
Europe 3-5 USA

Leona Maguire dunks her tee shot at 6 into a bunker. The door’s open for Megan Khang, but she doesn’t take advantage, landing her tee shot on the false front, her ball rolling back behind the same bunker. Lexi Thompson does well to wedge to six feet, and Anna Nordqvist splashes to a similar distance. It’s a putting contest, then … and though Khang sends hers dribbling four feet past, Maguire misses a chance to snatch the hole and Thompson tidies up for the half. Both pairs will feel a mixture of relief and irritation about that one.

Andrea Lee leaves an eagle putt short on 4. But Linn Grant can’t make a left-to-right birdie slider from 12 feet, the ball missing on the low side, and Danielle Kang tidies up to take the hole.

2UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (6)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (5)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 1UP (5)
Stark/Grant A/S Kang/Lee (4)
Europe 3-5 USA

… but they’re not making their putts. A four-footer for Jennifer Kupcho on 6 for the win. She leaves it out on the high side, and it rolls the same distance past. Lilia Vu, normally so dependable, can’t make the one coming back, and in the blink of an eye, a match that looked to be heading all square has turned into a two-hole lead for Europe! Meanwhile on 5, Lexi Thompson and Anna Nordqvist trade mid-range birdie putts. The former’s never threatens to drop; the latter curls a big right-to-left breaker into the cup, and suddenly Europe are in control of the board.

2UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (6)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (5)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 1UP (4)
1UP Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee (3)
Europe 3-5 USA

Nope, don’t expect too many concessions. Nelly Korda finds the water to the left of 4. Alissen Corpuz sends the next one into a bunker, from which Korda effectively has to hole out, Georgia Hall having hit Europe’s third close. Korda doesn’t make it, Europe have two for the win, and it takes a good while before the Americans tell Celine Boutier to pick up. The USA obviously in the mood to play hard this morning.

Interesting to note that Lilia Vu and Jennifer Kupcho didn’t concede Carlota Ciganda’s putt there. Europe had two putts from five feet for the win. Ciganda made it anyway, much to the glee of the gallery. Don’t expect too many concessions going forward from here.

Anna Nordqvist finds water down 4. For a moment, it looks as though Europe will get away with another one, as Lexi Thompson’s approach sails right, snookering Megan Khang behind a bunker, into which she then dunks. But Thompson redeems herself by splashing close, and the USA make the par they need. Errors meanwhile by both Lilia Vu and the misfiring Jennifer Kupcho on 5, the former leaving her partner short of the green, the latter skinning a chip through it. Europe hit the front in the lead match.

1UP Pedersen/Ciganda v Vu/Kupcho (5)
Nordqvist/Maguire A/S Thompson/Khang (4)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 2UP (2)
1UP Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee (2)
Europe 3-5 USA

Maja Stark rolls in a long par putt on 2. It’s a huge save, because it ramps up the pressure on Danielle Kang’s birdie putt. Kang can’t make it for the win and the hole is unexpectedly tied.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (4)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (3)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 2UP (2)
1UP Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee (2)
Europe 3-5 USA

Carlota Ciganda has momentarily mislaid her hot form of yesterday. On the par-five 4th, she leaves partner Emily Pedersen in an awkward position in a greenside bunker. Pedersen, one foot in the trap, one foot out, splashes out wonderfully to five feet, the best she could do. But Ciganda misses the birdie putt. However Jennifer Kupcho hasn’t brought her best stuff this morning either, and she yips a short putt for the win, her second such miss of the morning. Europe, and Ciganda in particular, get away with one.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (4)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (3)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 2UP (2)
1UP Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee (1)
Europe 3-5 USA

It’s two birdies in the first two holes for the USA in match three. The fastest of starts. And when things are going well, they keep going well. Nelly Korda pushes her tee shot at the par-three 3rd and the ball looks for all the world like dunking into the bunker on the right. But it pings off the shoulder and rolls into the heart of the green, from where the USA will have a look at another birdie.

Maja Stark chips to six feet at 1, and Linn Grant steers in the right-to-left slider. Birdie, and an opening statement by the European duo. “What does it say that Caroline Hedwall is still not getting a match?” wonders Richard Hirst. “Her confidence must be taking a battering.” The 34-year-old Swede certainly hasn’t been on top of her game in recent years – her tie for 66th at the recent British Open was the first time she’s made the cut at a major in four years – but she’s a captain’s pick so for that reason alone it’ll be a surprise if she doesn’t get a run-out this afternoon. Either way, Hedwall has a world of experience to fall back on, having become the first player in Solheim Cup history to win all five of her matches, back in 2013. So all is not lost.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (3)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (3)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 1UP (1)
1UP Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee (1)

Lexi Thompson’s mind may still be slightly addled. Leona Maguire wedges Europe’s third shot close at the par-five 2nd. It’s an almost surefire birdie. Megan Khang sets up Thompson from six feet, and the half looks on, but then Thompson races the putt almost the same distance past. She almost shapes to stand over it and take the putt back, before remembering she’s playing foursomes. A quick discussion with Khang and the hole is conceded.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (3)
1UP Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang (2)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 1UP (1)
Stark/Grant v Kang/Lee

The final foursomes match of the morning takes to the tee. Maja Stark and Linn Grant versus Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee. Kang’s 3-wood is short of the green; Grant’s drive bounds through it. A couple of chips coming up, and given what’s gone before, there’s no point trying to call the likely outcome from here.

Georgia Hall chips gracefully to a couple of feet. That’s almost certainly a birdie, though it’s not been conceded, and the pressure’s on Allisen Corpuz to pull out a sand shot here. But the US Open champ hits it a bit thin, and the ball races a good 20 feet past the hole. You’d think a win for Europe is in the bag … but Nelly Korda sends a tramliner into the middle of the cup at speed! That suddenly puts the pressure on Celine Boutier, whose two-and-a-half footer suddenly looks a lot longer. It lips out, and what a classic matchplay turn of events! All three opening matches to-ing and fro-ing on the 1st!

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (2)
Nordqvist/Maguire A/S Thompson/Khang (1)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz 1UP (1)

The third match sees Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier take on Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz. Korda flies the green with her drive and ends up in the bunker at the back; Boutier makes the conservative play down the right of the hole. The first match this morning where neither team is favourite after the opening tee shots. Perhaps someone will go on to win the hole this time; golf’s a bit like that.

Megan Khang isn’t giving this up lightly, and knocks a fine chip from the dropzone to 12 feet. Then an uncharacteristically poor chip from Leona Maguire stops well short of the green. Anna Nordqvist opts for the Texas Wedge and lags up to kick-in distance. She’s not an Open winner at Carnoustie for nothing. Thompson then steers in a perfectly paced right-to-left curler to salvage par and make up for her mistake. The famous Lexi moxie; after last night’s shank, she then wedged to close range from the bottom of a swale. Anyway, that’ll make her feel a whole lot better.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (1)
Nordqvist/Maguire A/S Thompson/Khang (1)
Hall/Boutier v Korda/Corpuz

Vu’s eagle putt dribbles four feet past the cup. A bit of work left for Kupcho … and after Pedersen tidies up for Europe’s par, she pulls the short putt on the dewy morning green and that’s a half that will feel like a loss for the USA. Back on the tee, Lexi Thompson takes driver and goes for the green … only to hit the face of the pond wall and plummet into the drink. Given her last meaningful shot was last night’s shanked chip on 18, that won’t settle her mind. No thousand-yard stare, but a steely look of concern all right. Anna Nordqvist makes the smart matchplay move and takes a safe 3-wood down the right.

Pedersen/Ciganda A/S Vu/Kupcho (1)
Nordqvist/Maguire v Thompson/Khang

Pedersen’s chip is pretty dismal. She’s got plenty of green to work with but seriously underhits it. Back to Ciganda, who could seriously do with draining the 30-footer that remains. She gives it a good run, but America now have two putts to win the hole and make the fastest of starts.

Here we go, then, as the first match takes to the first tee. Jennifer Kupcho is up first … and she hits an absolute pearler into the heart of the green. Her partner Lilia Vu will have a great look at eagle. That was a high tariff shot in foursomes and a statement of intent from the Americans. Over to the home hero Carlota Ciganda, who pulls her drive and is forced to shout fore, scattering a few punters to the left of the green. At least it’s dry. Emily Pedersen has some work to do. Immediate advantage USA.

Preamble