2026 Solheim Cup: Ciganda Saves Europe, Tying the Score at 4-4 Against the U.S.

Carlota Ciganda secured a crucial half-point for Europe on the first day of the 2026 Solheim Cup. In the final four-ball match of the day, the Spaniard saved a difficult Par on the 18th green, preventing the hosts from falling behind. After two evenly matched sessions, the score between Europe and the U.S. stands at 4–4.

Ciganda teamed up with Solheim Cup debutant Julia Lopez Ramirez to face Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin. The Americans had a chance to secure the win with a Birdie on the final hole, but both missed their putts. Ciganda then seized her opportunity and sank the decisive Par putt.

“I love this week. I just absolutely love playing for the team and my teammates,” said the 36-year-old after her heroic save. The scene was reminiscent of her performance at the 2023 Solheim Cup, when Ciganda defeated Korda in singles play and secured the trophy for Europe with a 14–14 tie.

2026 Solheim Cup Tee Times: Find Saturday’s tee times here

2026 Solheim Cup: U.S. Gets Off to a Better Start

In the morning foursomes, the U.S. got off to a better start. Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz defeated Charley Hull and Lottie Woad 4&3. For Korda and Corpuz, it was their fifth consecutive victory as a team—a record in Solheim Cup history. No duo had ever won five matches in a row before.

Alison Lee and Lauren Coughlin also secured a point for the U.S. against Celine Boutier and Nanna Koerstz Madsen. Europe, however, responded impressively: Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit defeated Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan, and Maja Stark and Linn Grant then prevailed over Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho.

This brought the first session to a 2–2 tie. The U.S. lead had been completely erased after the first two matches.

Solheim Cup Team USA: Meet the American squad

2026 Solheim Cup: Europe Fights Its Way Back in the Fourballs

In the afternoon, the competition remained just as evenly matched. Megan Khang and Alison Lee secured the US’s most decisive victory in the fourballs with a 5&3 win over Boutier and Koerstz Madsen. Khang thus remained undefeated in nine Solheim Cup matches. Alison Lee was also the only player to win both of her matches on Friday.

Europe scored points with its debutantes. Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud defeated Allisen Corpuz and Auston Kim 2&1. The two rookies performed impressively despite the unique atmosphere and quickly developed strong chemistry. “The chemistry between us was incredible, and it just felt very natural,” Rhodes said afterward.

The match between Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin for the U.S. and Charley Hull and Lottie Woad ended in a tie. The Europeans had led by three holes at one point, but the U.S. tied the match on the 17th hole. Both teams then split the 18th hole.

Solheim Cup Team Europe: Meet the European Players

Ciganda Seals the Deal at the 2026 Solheim Cup

In the final match, Korda and Coughlin initially seemed to have the upper hand. However, Europe turned the match around at one point, before Ciganda tied the score with an Eagle on the 16th hole. On the 18th hole, the Spanish players ran into trouble after some wayward shots. Korda and Coughlin were in a much better position but failed to capitalize on their Birdie opportunities.

That left Ciganda with the decisive Putt for Par—and she kept her cool. “We fought hard and at least picked up half a point. I think that’s very important,” she said. For Europe, it was an emotional conclusion to a day in which the U.S. applied pressure on several occasions but was unable to pull decisively ahead.

Despite the missed victory, U.S. captain Angela Stanford drew a positive conclusion: “I expected them to give it their all against us right from the start. I think we held up well.”