CASARES, Spain — The opening tee shots of the 2023 Solheim Cup are just hours away and the first group of pairings have officially been announced.
Friday morning’s foursomes pairings and matches at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast were released during the opening ceremony Thursday night at nearby Marbella Arena, with none other than U.S. star Lexi Thompson, who has struggled this year, set to take the first swing alongside Megan Khang against European and Swedish rookies, Linn Grant and Maja Stark.
Notably on the bench for the American side are world No. 2 Lilia Vu, who won two major championships this season, as well as rising star Rose Zhang, who has a penchant for match play.
“I wanted to get off to a good start. I wanted to get out four really good pairings and that’s kind of been my focus this whole time,” said U.S. captain Stacy Lewis. “So it was more about who matched up together versus even — I didn’t even look at who was sitting, to be honest. I wasn’t even worried about who was sitting. It was more just what are my best four options.”
“For my sake, I feel like I’ve had these four pairings down on paper for quite a few months now,” added European captain Suzann Pettersen. “It was more like in what order do you play ’em.”
Check out the four matches and pairings, as well as the eight players who will ride the pine pony for the first session of matches at the 2023 Solheim Cup. (Note: Spain is six hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S.)
Linn Grant and Maja Stark of Team Europe talk with the media during a press conference prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 20, 2023, in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
In two previous appearances, Kang has never won in foursomes (0-2-1), while Thompson holds a 3-2-1 record in her team-leading five previous Cups.
“I will tell you Lexi has looked unbelievable this week and that was part of reason that she’s in there,” said Lewis. “I think she’s got the most experience on our team, and I wanted her to go out there and have that first tee shot. I think she’s earned it. But she’s looked so good this week.”
Grant and Stark are good friends who were pushing for European captain Suzann Pettersen to play them together and out first.
“I think I’ve almost had ’em set first out for a year now, literally, since they both played in Europe,” said Pettersen of Grant…
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