Solheim Cup: How to watch, who's playing and who's favored at Bernardus Golf

DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP) — Nelly Korda has cemented herself as No. 1 in women's golf by winning the first two LPGA majors of the year among four titles, including the coveted U.S. Women's Open.

But this week at the Solheim Cup, Korda is 1 of 12.

The same holds true for Charley Hull of England, a big personality with a game to match. Hull leads Team Europe in the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup, the most intense three days in women's golf.

“What I love about this tournament is how much passion it brings from each side,” Korda said. “Even when Europe becomes very passionate about what they’re doing on the golf course, it elevates ... we all want to elevate our game.”

The Americans return nine players from the Solheim Cup team that won in 2024 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, but it has been 11 years since it last won on European soil. The matches start Friday at Bernardus Golf, the first time the Solheim Cup is in the Netherlands.

Here's what to do know going into the U.S.-Europe contest:

When does the Solheim Cup start?

The matches begin Friday morning and it feels as though they never really stop until there is a winner late Sunday afternoon.

The opening day features four matches of foursomes in the morning, followed by four matches of fourballs in the afternoon. Saturday will repeat the same schedule, and the Solheim Cup concludes with 12 singles matches on Sunday. Each match is worth one point (ties are worth a half-point).

What does it take to win the Solheim Cup?

The United States is the defending champion and only needs to win 14 of the 28 points available to retain the cup.

Europe has to get 14 1/2 points to win back the Solheim Cup.

How can I watch the Solheim Cup?

Golf Channel is broadcasting the matches for the American audience, but it's going to require setting the alarm clock early. On Friday and Saturday, Golf Channel comes on at 1:30 a.m. ET and runs continuously through 1 p.m. ET.

For Sunday singles, coverage begins at 5 a.m. ET through noon ET.

Who's playing for the Americans?

Nelly Korda and Megan Khang are the most experienced players for Team USA, each making their fifth appearance in the Solheim Cup. The Americans have only two rookies in Auston Kim and Lindy Duncan, the 35-year-old who has yet to win on the LPGA Tour. She's the oldest American to make her Solheim Cup debut since Nancy Scranton was 39 in 2000 at Loch Lomond.

The other eight Americans are Alison Lee and Andrea Lee (not related), Lauren Coughlin, Allisen Corpuz, Angel Yin, Yealimi Noh, Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang.

Who does Team Europe have?

Charley Hull of England and Carlota Ciganda of Spain are both making their eighth Solheim Cup appearance. Europe has four rookies in Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain, Mimi Rhodes of England, Nastasia Nadaud of France and Lottie Woad of England, who already is Europe's top-ranked player at No. 7 in the world.

Rounding out the team are Esther Henseleit of Germany, Celine Boutier of France, Maja Stark of Sweden, Linn Grant of Sweden, Nanna Koertz Madsen of Denmark and Leona Maguire of Ireland.

Who are the captains?

Angela Stanford for the United States and Anna Nordqvist of Sweden are Solheim Cup captains for the first time. Nordqvist played in the 2024 matches and has said she is retiring from the LPGA. Stanford was an assistant captain in 2024.

Who is favored to win the Solheim Cup?

The Americans (+110) are a slight favorite over Team Europe (-105), with the odds at +1100 for the matches to end in a tie.

The Americans have the stronger team on paper, as is typically the case, with nine players from the top 50 in the women's world ranking. Europe has more top-10 players in Hull (8) and Woad (7). But it has only three other players in the top 50 in Henseleit (21), Stark (29) and Boutier (35).

Is there anyone from the Netherlands on Team Europe?

There are no Dutch players for the first Solheim Cup on Dutch soil, although Anne van Dam has been selected as an assistant captain.

This not unusual. It's the third time in the last five European-based Solheim Cups that the host country did not have a player on the team. The other occasions were Scotland in 2019 and Ireland in 2011.

Who leads the overall series?

The United States has an 11-7-1 record dating to the first Solheim Cup in 1990. Under the current format of 28 matches that began in 1996, the Americans have a 228-220 advantage in points.

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