NELLY Korda is the No. 1 in the world, a multiple major winner and an Olympic gold medalist.
Still, for all her individual accolades, nothing in golf beats putting on the Team USA uniform and representing her country at the Solheim Cup.
“There’s no greater feeling,” Korda says, “especially stepping onto that first tee box.” This week could be even more special for the biggest name in women’s golf.
Korda is spearheading the United States’ attempt to win the Solheim Cup on European soil for the first time since 2015 in the matches that start Friday in the Netherlands.
After regaining the crystal trophy in 2024, the Americans need only 14 points at Bernardus Golf course to keep possession.
An away Solheim Cup victory is one of the few achievements missing on Korda’s golfing résumé — and she only has to speak to her captain to learn how to get it done.
Asked to rank the best memories from her six Solheim Cups as a player and three as an assistant, Angela Stanford says being part of that US win in Germany 11 years ago is No. 1.
Her only Curtis Cup appearance was a win in England in 2000.
Her only major title? At the Evian Championship in France in 2018.
For Stanford, there’s just something about going into enemy territory and coming away with the trophy.
“Growing up, I played a lot of different team sports and I loved going to other people’s gyms, going to their fields,” the US captain said. “It doesn’t bother me to go into a hostile environment and try to play and try to perform.” Not that it’s expected to be too intimidating at Bernardus. OK, there’s a purpose-built amphitheater around the first tee that will allow around 3,000 spectators to see some of the world’s top golfers go weak at the knees for the pressure-filled opening drive.
Just don’t expect the kind of unruly behavior — or downright nasty abuse — seen at recent Ryder Cups, the men’s equivalent to the Solheim Cup.
“With the women, it’s super respectful,” said European assistant captain Anne van Dam, who will be the only Dutchwoman in the team room. “Both teams are very close. Everyone is friends. And I think with the women, everything is a lot more friendly.” The US team arrives with the best player in the world, an 11-7-1 advantage in a series that dates to 1990, and plenty of uncertainty.
There’s no Lilia Vu, who was the world No. 2 and sank the winning putt for the Americans in Virginia in 2024, as she struggles to regain form after health issues. Missing from the team for the first time since 2011 is big-hitting Lexi Thompson, who no longer plays a full schedule and is expecting her first baby early next year.