Ciganda’s last-hole putt leaves Solheim Cup tied at 4-4

Carlota Ciganda holed a 15-foot putt on the final hole to earn Europe a half-point and leave the Solheim Cup tied at 4-4 after Friday's opening day at Bernardus Golf Club in the Netherlands. BBC Sport reported that the Spaniard's late recovery, alongside debutant Julia Lopez Ramirez, denied Nelly Korda and Lauren Coughlin victory in the day's last fourball match.

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Ciganda had kept Europe in contention by winning the 16th hole with an eagle. At the last, Korda and Coughlin both left potential match-winning putts short before the 36-year-old secured the tie. Playing in her eighth Solheim Cup, Ciganda said the half-point was important for the team and expressed hope that the finish would provide momentum for Saturday's two sessions.

Europe had initially fallen 2-0 behind in the morning foursomes. Korda and Allisen Corpuz beat Charley Hull and Lottie Woad 4&3, becoming the first pairing to win five consecutive foursomes matches in the competition. Alison Lee and Coughlin then defeated Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Celine Boutier 3&2, giving the defending champions an early advantage.

Maja Stark and Linn Grant began the European response with a 3&2 victory over Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho. Leona Maguire and Esther Henseleit subsequently beat Andrea Lee and Lindy Duncan in a contest decided on the 18th hole. Those results brought the morning session back to 2-2, preventing the Americans from carrying their early lead into the afternoon.

Hull and Woad were paired again in fourballs but surrendered a three-hole back-nine lead before halving against Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin. European rookies Mimi Rhodes and Nastasia Nadaud contributed a 2&1 win over Corpuz and Auston Kim. Megan Khang and Alison Lee countered with a 5&3 victory against Koerstz Madsen and Boutier, making Ciganda's closing putt decisive in keeping the overall scores level.

European captain Anna Nordqvist used all 12 players on the first day. Eight further points are available across Saturday's foursomes and fourballs, followed by Sunday's singles, when every player on both teams will compete. The United States, who won 15½-12½ in Virginia in 2024, need 14 points to retain the trophy; Europe must reach 14½ to regain it.